#knowledge request

[mildlybizarrecorvid]

How common are (I don't know the plural of platypus)

Like what's a creature of equivalent rarity

[mildlybizarrecorvid]

What's the "mantis shrimp aren't shrimp" thing

What are they

I wasn't sure how to look this up and I've only seen it said they aren't shrimp. What non-shrimp category do they occupy

...lobsters..?

[mildlybizarrecorvid]

do people do fancy animal skin clothes because of the uniqueness of the pattern and material, or because of the association with the animal

[mildlybizarrecorvid]

Wait when did Europeans figure out North America was nowhere near India

[mildlybizarrecorvid]

I've a question that, my search engine having failed me, I shall now lay out to the people of the internet

I'm reading a novel set in an alternate world's version of the Napoleonic wars, and there was mention of an Austrian archduke Ferdinand; however, after this struck me as somewhat odd, I looked at Wikipedia and it appears the most famous such fellow was not born until after the war's conclusion.

Is this a different archduke Ferdinand, or simply another form of alteration to this world's timeline?

[mildlybizarrecorvid]

Why do American markets have a sausage called Italian sausage but still say bratwurst instead of German sausage or something

I think I’ve heard tell of kielbasa there too

[mildlybizarrecorvid]

Just making absolutely sure before I try throwing things I wrote for Tumblr on, AO3 allows original works that aren't fanfiction right

[mildlybizarrecorvid]

What’s that feeling called where it feels like your esophagus is stabbing itself