Mental Floss

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Raccoons are smart, dextrous, and in your garbage cans.

Whether they’re scaling skyscrapers or digging through your trash, raccoons are fascinating. Discover more about their habits, diet, and intelligence.

Michele Debczak


Sometimes you just need the eggs.

Where did the idea for a rabbit that gives away eggs really come from? Trace the origins of the Easter bunny, from pagan festivals to the influence of 18th century German immigrants in America.

Matt Soniak


Nobody puts Nomi in a corner.

“Showgirls” was one of the biggest box-office bombs of the 1990s, but this 1995 erotic drama about an exotic dancer turned Vegas showgirl has since become the stuff of midnight movie gold.

Garin Pirnia




An animal you seriously don't want to mess with.

In addition to being Earth’s largest living lizard, behavior like human-eating and grave-robbing are the Komodo dragon’s biggest claims to fame.

Mark Mancini






There are way more digits in pi than you probably realize.

Pi Day offers something for the math-lover and baked-goods lover. What about the word lover? Here are some tips and tricks for memorizing the digits of pi with words.

Arika Okrent


College isn't all about partying.

On this episode of Misconceptions, host Justin Dodd breaks down some higher-level myths. If your professor is 15 minutes late, are you really allowed to leave? How important is picking the right major in college?

mentalfloss .com




Parrots are among the longest-living birds.

A single number for birds’ lifespans is difficult to pin down, but the ability to fly is one of the keys to their longevity.

Annabel Bourne




Not a unicorn.

Here’s what we know about these fascinating Arctic whales, including their life cycle, habits, and unique spiraled tusks.

Jessica Hullinger