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How Crocodiles Brush Their Teeth

Nature’s Dentists: Crocodiles and Their Toothbrushes

Crocodiles don't actually brush their teeth in the same way humans do. Imagine a crocodile brushing his teeth in the mirror before school! 

How Crocodiles Brush Their Teeth

A Toothsome Tale: How Crocodiles Avoid Cavities

Here’s how they keep their mouths clean:

Water Rinse

When they're submerged in water, the constant flow helps wash away food particles.

Sunbathing

Crocodiles will bask in the sun with their mouths open. This helps dry out any remaining food and may even have some antibacterial effects.

Dental Helpers

In some cases, a special bird called the Egyptian plover will pick at the crocodile's teeth, removing any leftover food. This is a symbiotic relationship where both animals benefit.

So, while crocodiles don't use toothbrushes and toothpaste, they have their own unique ways of keeping their teeth clean!


Week’s Best African Culture Posts

African Men Shaped Canada’s History

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Mathieu Da Costa: Canada’s First Recorded Black Person Mathieu Da Costa holds a unique place in Canadian history as the first recorded Black person to set foot in what is now Canada. Mathieu Da Costa's linguistic abilities mediated fur trade prices and trading routes between Europeans and Africans using intellect, tact and cunning. A Linguistic Bridge Across Cultures Da Costa’s carefully honed multilingual skills included European languages such as French, Dutch, Portuguese, and Indigenous languages. These abilities made him an invaluable asset to explorers and merchants conducting trade and diplomacy across continents.  His fluency allowed him to have the freedom to travel, forge relationships and communicate effectively across cultural divides, ensuring the success of expeditions led by figures like Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. Mathieu Da Costa worked with prominent figures of early Canadian exploration, including Samuel de Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieu...
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6 African Proverbs That Will Spice Up Your Kitchen

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African Proverbs to Add Flavor to Your Cooking African Proverbs add zest to your cooking We all know cooking can be a delicious adventure, but sometimes it feels like navigating a minefield of burnt dinners and unexpected kitchen disasters. Luckily, wisdom from across the globe can offer some much-needed guidance. Today, we're diving into the witty world of African proverbs for cooks – guaranteed to make you chuckle and maybe even improve your culinary skills. The Wisdom of the Kitchen: 6 African Proverbs to Guide Your Cooking 1. "If you find a chicken tied near a closet, then beware!" This proverb is a hilarious reminder that even the simplest plans can go awry in the kitchen. Have you ever forgotten about a pot on the stove, only to find a smoky haze engulfing your kitchen? This proverb serves as a cautionary tale: always be vigilant, especially when dealing with heat and hungry flames. 2. "Food is cooked in the pot, but the plate is honored." This proverb hig...
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Finding Home: A Cat's Inspiring Story

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Seven Lives, one community read about the best stray cat ever, Adelo of Kampala, and her food adventures and affirmation messages about courage, strength, and self-belief. Affirmation: "I am adaptable and resourceful, finding sustenance and joy in unexpected places." Finding Home: A Cat's Inspiring Story Adelo, a sleek, dust-colored cat with eyes like polished amber, wasn't owned by anyone, yet she belonged to everyone in the Seldou Gardens. She wasn’t a pet, confined by walls and leashes; she was a musanifu, a wanderer, a part of the vibrant rhythm of the neighborhood. Her territory was the patchwork of gardens, courtyards, and alleyways, each offering a unique culinary experience. Mama Nakato, with her overflowing spice garden, always left a small dish of fish stew simmered with matoke and fragrant herbs by her back step. Adelo knew the precise time each afternoon, the scent of the stew a reliable clock. The stew, rich and savory, was Adelo's favorite, a taste o...
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Greek Obsession with Ethiopia

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Ethiopia: How Ancient Greece Imagined a Distant Land. The ancient Greeks were fascinated by Ethiopia , placing it at the edge of the known world. Drawn by dreams of wealth and the pursuit of mathematical knowledge and scientific marvels, the Greeks also sought riches such as gold, ivory, ebony, and exotic animals. These goods were highly prized in the Greek world , promising great wealth and peril to those who dared to venture to this distant land. Distance and Travel to Ethiopia. Sea travel was the primary means of long-distance travel for the ancient Greeks . A sea voyage along the African coast to the regions they considered Ethiopia would have taken several weeks to a few months. Sea voyages were fraught with dangers. Ships were vulnerable to storms, which could capsize or drive them off course.  Pirates posed a constant threat, targeting both seafaring vessels and coastal settlements. Navigation was challenging, relying on knowledge of stars, coastlines, and rudimentary instru...
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