Advertisement
Mark Mancini is a freelance writer currently based in Texas. Over the years, he’s covered every subject from classic horror movies to Abe Lincoln’s favorite jokes. He is particularly fond of paleontology and has been reporting on new developments in this field since 2013. When Mark’s not at his writing desk, you can usually find him on stage somewhere because he loves to get involved with community theatre. And if you ever feel like trading puns for a few hours, he’s your guy.
Recent Contributions
Hermit Crabs: Tiny Crustaceans Living in Nature's Mobile Homes
Hermit crabs are easy to care for as pets if you provide them with all the essentials they need. And that includes shells for their growing bodies.
Take Our Spicy 'Dune' Quiz
"The spice must flow." Set in the far-flung future on a desert planet called Arrakis, Frank Herbert's "Dune" explores hero worship, environmentalism and other heavy topics. Test your knowledge of the 1965 novel and 2020 movie with our quiz.
Some Aphid Babies Are Born Already Pregnant
Born pregnant? You bet. It's a survival instinct but could also explain how these garden pests spread like wildfire.
Basking Sharks Look Ferocious, But Prefer Plankton to People
The basking shark, an endangered species, may look like a fearsome predator, but is actually a filter-feeder, gathering zooplankton and other tiny animals, such as shrimp, in bulk as it roams the seas with a wide open mouth.
Uranus: The Planet on a Very Tilted Axis
Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun and sits on an axial plane tilted at a jaw-dropping 97.7-degree angle. And yes, Uranus does actually stink.
The Reclusive Gila Monster Packs a Venomous Punch
The Gila monster is the most venomous lizard on U.S. soil. But despite the fact that its bite can be debilitating, its venom can also save lives.
NASA and SpaceX Set to Make History With Manned Space Launch
For the first time since 2011, NASA will launch astronauts into space from U.S. soil. It will also be the first time ever a private company will get them there.
A Tremendous Trove of Trivia Quiz
Think you know geography? Fancy yourself a history buff? Well then, mister or missus big shot, get comfy and let's test your knowledge of weird castles, crazy large numbers and embargoed snack foods.
The Lyrid Meteor Shower Is Back — Here's What You Need to Know
Every April, the Lyrid meteor shower fills the sky with shooting stars. Here's how to see them.
NASA's Astronaut Beach House Is a Little-known Gem of Space History
NASA's historic Beach House on Cape Canaveral is the last place many astronauts visit before they blast off into space. Today it's full of mission memories and NASA artifacts.
Velociraptor Alert: The Feathered Dinosaur Quiz
Birds are — quite literally — living dinosaurs. Our quiz will test your knowledge of the fluffy, downy and winged dinos of the bygone Mesozoic era, from little Microraptor to the enormous Yutyrannus.
5 Hugely Fun Facts About Mass (Not Weight)
Weight is the measurement of gravity's pull on an object. And it varies by location. Mass is a different beast altogether.
The Stratosphere: Where Birds and Planes Fly and Bacteria Thrives
The stratosphere is the second-lowest level in Earth's atmosphere. It's a bastion of ozone gas and rapid winds, where clouds are scarce, but life endures.
7 Hot Facts About the Pacific Ring of Fire
The Pacific's Ring of Fire is a 25,000 mile long "ring" that's home to 75 percent of all the world's volcanic activity and 90 percent of the planet's earthquakes. So what makes this area so active?
Is Old Faithful Petering Out?
Since its discovery in 1870, the Wyoming cone geyser Old Faithful has wowed spectators with its predictable eruptions, but its eruptions are not quite as predictable or prodigious as they once were.
Saturn: Giant Rings and a Moon Full of Space Lakes
Saturn is the sixth planet from the sun and the second largest planet in the solar system. It has an amazing ring system and 82 moons! And did we mention that it's an oblong world that appears squished looking?
Mentos and Miss Cleo: The '90s Commercials Quiz
You know the grunge hits. You know the Nicktoons. But how well do you know the glitzy, creative and downright weird TV commercials that helped define the 1990s? Grab a bag of fruit gushers and let's find out.
Botflies Are Nasty Parasites That Get Under Your Skin
If you've never seen a botfly, it looks rather harmless — like a basic bumblebee even. Until it lays its eggs inside a living host, and that's when things get really gross.
The Watery World of the Monster Anaconda
The green anaconda is the largest of the anaconda species, which makes it arguably the biggest snake in the world.
Is It a Fox on Stilts? Nope, It's a Maned Wolf!
The maned wolf might as well be called a werewolf given its unfortunate name. You see it's not a wolf at all, and despite all appearances, it isn't a fox either.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Recommended
Advertisement
Advertisement