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Home » Science Facts » Gross Science Facts

Gross Science Facts

Published: Feb 11, 2022 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Who doesn’t love a gross fact? I’ve collected some of the most disgusting science facts around so you can shock your friends or be well armed for a gross science quiz night and if that’s not a thing, it totally should be!

Gross Science Facts

A sneeze can travel at up to 100mph!! Imagine all the little droplets of water and germs shooting out at that speed!

If you stretched all your blood vessels out they would circle the world FOUR times!

The small intestine is about 6.5m long!

Yellow or green snot means your body is fighting an infection.

You have around 10,000 tastebuds on your tongue!

Image of tastebuds on a tongue made visible with food colouring
Image taken from Gross Science

The thickest skin on the human body is on the feet!

The crusty bits that sometimes form around your eyes are made up of skin cells, dust and mucus!

Around 700 different species of microbes live in your mouth!!*

Most of the dust in your house is actually dead human skin.

Green, smelly ear wax is a sign of infection.

*https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2019/05/mouth-microbes

Gross Animal Facts

Cows burp between 150-300 litres of methane each DAY!!

Only one out of around 40,000 spider species is vegetarian.

1 square meter of land can contain 100 worms!

child hand holding a worm

Dung beetles lay their eggs in poop.

Snakes breathe through a hole called the glottis. The glottis can change position so the snake can breathe as it swallows large prey.

Some lizards can shoot blood from their eyeballs!

Goliath bird-eating spiders have legs up to 28cm long, can weigh up to 175g and can eat birds!!

A Goliath bird-eating spider,Theraphosa blondi

A cockroach can live for a short time with no head!!

The venom of a king cobra can kill an adult human in 30 minutes!

Cone snails might look cute, but they have one of the most dangerous stings of any animal.

Gross Historical Facts

Ancient Egyptians pulled the brains of dead people out of their nose with a hook during mummification.

People once thought removing blood from a sick person would cure them. Sometimes they used leeches to do this.

Ancient Romans used a sponge on the end of a stick as toilet paper, the sponge was quickly rinsed and then left for the next person..

Romans made soap from urine in the First Century!

In the 1800s dentures were made from the teeth of deceased people.

Gross Science Book

If you enjoyed the gross science facts, you’ll love my newest book, GROSS SCIENCE! It’s jam packed full of disgusting investigations and experiments kids will love. Anyone for a jelly scab, chocolate poo or a blood cell cupcake??

jelly scabs, chocolate poo, bendy bones and red blood cell cupcakes..just some of the activities from Gross Science the book

If you’d rather read some not so gross facts, check out my science facts post!

Text saying 'Gross Science Facts' with gross emomjis

Last Updated on February 11, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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