You know them. You’ve probably repeated them, and you swear they’re true.
But most of them? They just aren’t.
Some have been passed down for generations, while others sound so believable that we’ve never thought to question them.
So, it’s time to bust some of our favourite animal myths.
Myth 1: Ostriches bury their heads in the sand
The saying ‘to bury one’s head in the sand’ comes from the idea that ostriches stick their heads underground when they’re scared or threatened.
So, it’s rather mind-blowing to learn that they don’t actually do this.
What you’re seeing is an optical illusion.
Ostriches dig holes in the ground for their eggs and will occasionally lower their heads to turn them. Viewed from a distance, it can look as though the bird has stuck its entire head into the sand.
And if you think about it, burying their heads when danger approaches doesn’t make much sense.
How would they breathe?
Verdict: Myth.
Myth 2: A dry nose means your dog is sick
Growing up, many of us were taught that a wet nose means a healthy dog and a dry nose means something is wrong.
But your dog’s nose will go between wet and dry throughout the day, and that’s normal.
A dog’s nose generally stays wet through licking, mucus glands and its environment, but dryness on its own isn’t necessarily a sign that your pet is sick.
However, if your dog’s dry nose is accompanied by lethargy, coughing, vomiting or reduced appetite, it’s time to see a vet.
Verdict: Myth.
Myth 3: Cats always land on their feet
This one is true. Kind of.
Cats have a natural skill called the righting reflex, which helps them turn their bodies in mid-air during a fall.
Kittens start learning this skill at around three weeks old, and it is fully developed from around seven to nine weeks.
Special balance organs in their inner ears tell them which way is up, while their flexible spines and lack of a collarbone help them twist quickly.
But the righting reflex doesn’t always save them.
A short fall might not give a cat enough time to turn over, meaning they could hit the ground before completing the movement.
Very high falls can also result in serious injuries, even though cats spread their bodies out like a parachute to slow themselves down.
Verdict: Partly true.
Myth 4: A mother bird will reject her baby if a human touches it
Remember being told this one as a child?
The truth is that a mother bird probably won’t even know that her baby has been handled by a human.
Birds don’t have a great sense of smell and rely more heavily on sight and sound.
They’re also fiercely devoted to their chicks, so frankly, it’s a little rude to suggest otherwise.
This particular piece of bird propaganda was probably started by someone well-meaning who wanted people to stop handling baby birds, especially those learning to fly and who should be left undisturbed.
Verdict: Myth.
Myth 5: Giving your dog garlic keeps fleas and ticks away
This isn’t only a myth. It is a dangerous one.
Garlic is toxic to both cats and dogs.
It contains thiosulfate, which can damage a pet’s red blood cells. With repeated doses, this can cause Heinz body anaemia, causing red blood cells to burst and potentially leading to weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea and death.
There is also no scientific proof that eating garlic deters fleas and ticks.
Verdict: Dangerous myth.
Myth 6: Touching a frog or toad will give you warts
Good news for frog lovers: frogs and toads don’t give you warts.
This myth probably started because frogs and toads have bumps on their skin that look a lot like warts.
But those bumps aren’t warts. They’re often glands that produce a bad-tasting liquid to discourage predators.
Warts are contagious, but you’re not going to get them from a frog or toad. You can get them from a person with HPV.
So, the next time someone tells you an ostrich is hiding its head from danger or warns you that touching a toad will leave you covered in warts, you’ll know better.
Verdict: Myth.
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