ANIMAL CURIOSITIES
Ten things you may not know about horses
Horses are unique animals on our planet. Domesticated approximately 6,000 years ago, their history has been indivisibly intertwined with that of humans. Their motive power enabled us to get around before the invention of the internal combustion engine (horses have been the main motive power for almost all mankind). Beyond that, their contribution to agriculture as pack animals is incalculable in human history.
They were once treated as our modern society treats dogs and cats, as true companion animals and much more than just friends, almost companions for life. Without their help, the evolution of our society would have been completely different.
Today we want to pay tribute to this majestic animal by telling you some interesting facts that you may not yet know.
10 things you may not know about horses
Horses are unique animals on our planet. Domesticated approximately 6,000 years ago, their history has been indivisibly intertwined with that of humans. Their motive power enabled us to get around before the invention of the internal combustion engine (horses have been the main motive power for almost all mankind). Beyond that, their contribution to agriculture as pack animals is incalculable in human history. They were once treated as our modern society treats dogs and cats, as true companion animals and much more than just friends, almost companions for life. Without their help, the evolution of our society would have been completely different.Today we want to pay tribute to this majestic animal by telling you some interesting facts that you may not yet know.
Its ancestor was a miniature version
Eoippo (Eohippus Angustidens) lived 50,000,000 years ago, is the oldest ancestor of the horse and was very different to the imposing and majestic steed we know today. This ancestor, in fact, was an animal only 50 cm high at the withers, similar to a fawn. Today's horses are on average one and a half metres tall and weigh hundreds of kilos.
They only breathe through their nose
The respiratory system of horses is unique, distinguishing them from most animals. In fact, the horse is not able to breathe through its mouth, but only uses its nose. Obviously, this is not very convenient: for example, the specimen may suffer if one nostril, for whatever reason (e.g. an allergic attack) is obstructed.
Horses cannot vomit
This is another particular feature of the horses' anatomy. In their stomach there is in fact a membrane, which is missing in humans, called the cardias: this valve only allows food to enter the stomach, preventing it from going up into the mouth.
They spend their nights standing
This is a characteristic shared by a long line of herbivores. The reason for this behaviour lies in nature: in fact, herbivores have always been prey, and the fact that they sleep standing up allows them to always be ready to flee in the event of an attack. This is possible thanks to the conformation of their tendons, which are so strong that they can totally support their weight and, at the same time, keep them in balance.
Today the European species dominates
You may not know it, but horses in America (meaning the entire continent) only existed until 11,000 years ago. The current ones were brought to America by European conquistadors, the Spanish and Portuguese. The famous 'wild horses' of the American prairies are therefore actually the successors of a few specimens that escaped from European farms at the time.
Their ears are like antennas
The ears of these animals contain as many as 10 muscles and can move 180°. They are also able to perceive a very wide range of different sounds, roughly between 14 and 25 KHz. They are also a powerful means of expression, which they use to communicate their moods, from fear to genuine curiosity.
The horses' noses are super
Horses' sense of smell is much more developed than we might think. Their nose is able to pick up many more smells than that of humans, although it is less developed than that of dogs.
They live a very long time
Considering other species of animals, horses are quite long-lived, able to live decently for up to 30 years if properly cared for. The record for the longest-lived horse belongs to Old Billy, who lived an impressive 61 years between 1760 and 1882.
Very large eyes
Horses' eyes are the largest of all land mammals in the world. Their vision is also both single- and binocular, and they can see up to 350°. This feature was given to them, by nature, always to better escape predators.
Teeth for age assessment
An adult horse has between 36 and 44 teeth, also depending on sex. To measure a horse's age through its teeth, an analysis of the 12 front incisors is usually conducted, also observing their colour and length.
Animal Curiosities
11/04/2024
The world is beautiful because it is diverse, is a phrase we have heard a thousand times, and this is true not only for human beings, but also for animals.
On our planet, the variety of fauna is far greater than that of human beings, who are basically almost all the same. On the other hand, in the most remote parts of the Earth, but not only there, there are absolutely unique species of animals, so much so that they even enter Guinness World Record. Birds, fish, mammals, so many characteristics that make them absolutely recognizable, and also very rare.
Animal lovers, keep us company and discover all the most bizarre beasts on the planet.