There are approximately 2,000 different types of sea stars. Some live in the intertidal zone, while others live in deep ocean water. While many species live in tropical environments, sea stars can also be found in cold environments, including the polar regions.

The phylum Echinodermata includes sea stars. They are thus related to sand dollars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sea lilies. This phylum contains approximately 7,000 species in total. Many echinoderms have radial symmetry, which means that their body parts are organized around a central axis. Because their bodies are divided into five sections, many sea stars have five-point radial symmetry. This means they don't have a clear left and right half, only a top and a bottom. Spines are also common in echinoderms, though they are less prominent in sea stars than in other organisms such as sea urchins.

Sea stars are not true fish, even though they live underwater and are commonly referred to as "starfish." They lack gills, scales, and fins, as do fish. Sea stars move in a manner distinct from that of fish. While fish use their tails to propel themselves, sea stars use tiny tube feet to propel themselves. Scientists prefer to refer to starfish as "sea stars" because they are not classified as fish.

The earliest dinosaurs appeared some 230 million years ago, during the middle to late Triassic epoch, in the portion of the Pangean supercontinent that is now South America. Previously, archosaurs, therapsids, and pelycosaurs were the main terrestrial reptiles. Prehistoric crocodiles were the most deadly creatures on Earth for around 20 million years after dinosaurs developed. Only 200 million years ago, at the start of the Jurassic epoch, did dinosaurs actually begin their ascent to supremacy.

When the meteor hit the Yucatán Peninsula 65 million years ago, it didn't create a massive blaze that instantaneously annihilated all of the dinosaurs, as well as pterosaurs and marine reptiles. Rather, the extinction process went on for hundreds, if not thousands, of years as global temperatures plummeted, sunlight became scarce, and the accompanying lack of vegetation drastically disrupted the food chain from the bottom up. Some isolated dinosaur populations, isolated in remote parts of the earth, may have lasted slightly longer than their kin, but they are undoubtedly extinct now.

Dinosaurs were enormous and came in a variety of sizes. There were some that were quite tall, others that were very little, and some that were very heavy! The Argentinosaurus is said to have weighed up to 100 tonnes, which is about the weight of 15 elephants! The Argentinosaurus' feces weighed in at 26 quarts. Yuck! It was also around 8 metres tall and 37 metres long.

The great Mughal emperor Akbar, who is known for instituting intelligent policies such as Sulh-i-kul and erecting Diwan-i-Khas for religious debates on various topics, suffered from dyslexia. According to historians, Akbar was illiterate throughout his life because he did not know how to read or write properly!

In 1524, the Portuguese captain Vasco da Gama landed in Goa. More Portuguese arrived in 1510, looking to gain control of the spice root from the East, and two years later Goa became a Portuguese colony. Goa's colonial history is apparent wherever you go, from the state capital of Panjim and its old Portuguese quarter to the churches, museums, and colorful houses dotted across the state. Even the food in Goa showcases the state's Portuguese influence! Feijoada is a must-try – a Portuguese bean stew with either curried pork or beef.

When most people think of Goa, they imagine long, sandy beaches, but much of the state is also covered in forest. Around 20% of Goa's land is part of India's beautiful the Western Ghats, a vast mountain range and biodiversity hotspot. Exotic wildlife abounds in these forests, including Indian giant squirrels, mongooses, Slender Loris, Indian macaques, and sloth bears.

Vembanad Lake is India's longest and the largest lake in Kerala. It stretches for about 97 kilometers and covers an area of about 2033 square kilometres. Thousands of tourists visit Kochi to marvel at the lake's grandeur and natural beauty. There's a lot to do here, from boating to relaxing on the banks. Birdwatchers will enjoy the area as well.

The Vasco House, located in the Fort Kochi region, is said to be one of the country's oldest Portuguese houses. According to records, it was Vasco da Gama's residence during his stay in Kochi. As a result, it is historically significant. It also attracts architecture enthusiasts due to its European glass windows and beautiful verandahs. As a result, it is a must-see destination in Kochi for all visitors.

It is only slightly larger than Devon in the area (1,429 square miles), but it has a 99-mile-long coastline. That is not to say that the state lacks attractions and activities; on the contrary, quite the contrary!

The Dead Sea is the world's lowest point. The Dead Sea has ten times the salt content of any other sea. It is located 420 meters below sea level and offers a one-of-a-kind floating experience. Also, don't miss out on the Dead Sea mud's magical healing powers.

Unarguably, Kochi is one of the most beautiful places in India. After all, it is home to lakes, backwaters, beaches, ancient monuments, lush greenery, and hills. Even though it has been converted into a modern city over a period of time, it has been successful in retaining its natural charm. It has been described as the most beautiful city in India by many ancient travellers. The Italian traveller Nicolas Conti mentioned in his travelogue - "China is where you make your money, then Cochin is surely the place to spend it."

The infamous Taj Mahal in Agra, built by Emperor Shah Jahan, is known to change colour every morning, noon, and midnight. Many people believe it is because of the white marble used in the construction, which is shiny and reflective. Others believe that the structure is infused with historical magic.

Srinagar was controlled by the Mauryan empire until the 14th century, and it was emperor Ashoka who brought Buddhism to Kashmir's valley. The Kushans are said to have governed over this region throughout the first century from their strongholds in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Even King Vikramaditya of Ujjain reigned over this region before handing up sovereignty to a nomadic clan known as the Huns in the sixth century. Mihirkula, a member of this clan, was one of the city's most fearful governors.

You might think that only fish have gills, but several species of sea snakes breathe through their skin as well. Hydrophis cyanocinctus, for example, has been discovered to breathe through the top of its own head. It has a small hole and a collection of blood vessels at the top of its head that picks up oxygen from the seawater and sends it to the reptile's brain as it moves underwater.

Feet are extremely complex body parts. Each foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and 19 muscles that all work together to allow for a wide range of motion and movement. However, many of these bones remain cartilage throughout a person's childhood, gradually ossifying into bone as time passes. According to the Ontario Society of Chiropodists, all of the bones in the foot do not harden completely until a person is around 21 years old! Sign up for our daily newsletter for more trivia to keep you sharp.

Those who believe that everything on the planet has already been discovered may simply be looking in the wrong places. A tiny chameleon discovered in northern Madagascar and measuring only 28.9 millimetres is thought to be the world's smallest reptile. The tiny chameleon was discovered recently and will be published in the January 2021 issue of Scientific Reports. But there is one thing about these critters that is unusually large for their size: Males' genitalia account for nearly 20% of their total body length.

Colored honey can be produced by bees. A biogas plant in France manages waste from a Mars chocolate factory, where M&Ms are manufactured. Beekeepers in the area noticed that their bees were producing honey with "unnatural shades of green and blue." According to a British Beekeepers' Association spokesperson, the coloured honey was caused by bees eating the sugary M&M waste.

Wimbledon tennis balls are kept at a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature of a tennis ball influences its bounce. The gas molecules inside the ball expand as the temperature rises, causing the ball to bounce higher. Lower temperatures shrink the molecules, causing the ball to bounce lower. Wimbledon goes through more than 50,000 tennis balls each year to ensure that only the best tennis balls are used.

The Dubai Police Department has more oomph than any other police force in the planet. They have access to a wide choice of supercars, including Bugatti, Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, Camaro, Mercedes, and many others. The fastest of them all, the Veyron, can reach speeds of up to 407 kilometres per hour!

Now for a 'sumptuous' fact about the UAE: the Burj Al Arab is the world's first seven-star hotel and is widely regarded as one of the world's most luxurious. The hotel's interiors are adorned with 24-carat gold leaves that cover over 1790 square metres. The best thing is that it even has a 'Pillow Menu,' which offers guests nine different varieties of pillows! Right, I'm assuming you choose your pillow.

The United Arab Emirates is a presidentially elected federated monarchy. It is a federation of the seven Emirates' absolute monarchy. The president of the United Arab Emirates is the emir of Abu Dhabi. The president is also the UAE Armed Forces' Supreme Commander in Chief and Chairman of the Supreme Petroleum Council. The Emir of Dubai, on the other hand, is the Prime Minister. These titles are passed down through the generations.

Kolkata has always promoted science and technology, and the city has produced some of the world's most renowned scientists. Birla Planetarium, Asia's largest, is now the world's second largest. It was built in 1963 and inaugurated by the then-Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru. Let us also mention that Science City is the largest scientific culture centre in the Indian subcontinent.