According to estimates , there are more than 8.7 million species of plants and animals on earth. However, only about 1.2 million have been identified and described and most are insects. This means that we do not know much about the animal kingdom. 
Every day new species and new characteristics are discovered that question everything we know so far. That is why the information we have about animals has to be updated, because many things that we believed no longer correspond to reality.
We at Bright Side have compiled a list of some animal facts that we previously considered to be facts, but were actually not entirely true.
1. Cats always land on their 4 paws
False. Cats have an innate ability to adjust when they are falling to land on their paws. This righting reflex appears in kittens from 3 to 4 weeks of age.
However, for the cat to straighten up and adjust its body for the fall, it takes a little time. According to a study , it was determined that the higher the drop, the more time it gives the cat to prepare.
But not all cats have this reflex well developed. Urban cats, due to being overweight and lack of exercise, can be injured in a fall. So although all cats tend to land on their feet, sometimes it is not possible for them due to their height, weight and flexibility.
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2. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
False. This, although it is a popular saying, is not entirely true. In a study done in Austria, it was shown with some mental games that the already old dogs were able to learn like the young ones.
The problem lies, according to experts , in that older dogs are no longer as agile and are often not interested in physical activities. However, as long as a dog is awake, he will continue to learn.
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3. Camels store water in their humps.
False. This myth is one of the best known but also one of the most erroneous. The humps of these animals are full of fat, which is a store of energy when food is lacking, something common in the desert.
The way camels and dromedaries survive without drinking water for a long time is due to the shape of their red blood cells, which are oval in shape, longer than normal cells and can expand up to 240%. You can drink up to 135 liters of water in one sitting !
4. Fish have a memory of 3 seconds
False. This is a widespread myth for many years, but it grew more with the animated movies Finding Nemo and Finding Dory . Actually , fish have a good memory and depending on the species, they can remember events from months and even years ago.
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5. Sharks are the most dangerous animals for humans
False. Sharks have always been seen as the most dangerous predators. Movies like Jaws have increased that perception, but the reality is that it is a myth.
There are more than 350 species of sharks in the ocean and only a few are considered dangerous to humans. Each year there are more victims of deer, dogs and pigs than shark attacks. You are 30 times more likely to be struck by lightning than to be attacked by a shark.
6. Owls can turn their heads almost 360 degrees.
False. Scientists from John Hopkins University conducted a study and with 3D models managed to emulate the bone system of owls and discovered that they can only turn their heads 270 degrees.
This is more than a human can turn their neck, but owls and other types of birds do so because their necks have less bone. Also, to compensate for the little angle of vision they have when they have their eyes facing forward.
7. Chameleons change color to blend in with any environment.
False. Despite some fake videos circulating on the internet suggesting it, chameleons do not change their skin color at will. The range of colors that they can have when they are loose in the forest is very small, they are usually shades of brown or gray and make them imperceptible between stones, branches or leaves. The change of colors happens according to factors such as the weather, to mate and to impress other members of their species. They cannot change to any color at will and less to colors that are not present in their habitat.
8. In a pack of wolves there is only one alpha male.
False. According to Barbara Zimmermann, a professor at the University of Norway, designating a wolf as alpha, beta or gamma only happens in captivity.
In the wild, packs are smaller and are wolf families made up of father, mother, and children. Those who take care of the little ones are the parents. The idea of an "alpha male" has been extended to other animals and people but in reality in wild wolves that does not exist.
9. Cats purr when they are happy.
TRUE. Cats purr when they are comfortable, but they also purr to communicate other moods. With it they communicate if they are hungry or want something and although they sound the same in appearance, they are different types of purr.
Also, when they are nervous or when something hurts, they can purr. If you have a cat, you should be aware of its sounds to learn to distinguish the type of purr and act to meet its needs.
10. Tortoises do not feel pain in the shell
False. Although the turtle shell appears to be made of stone, it is a living structure made up of bones, nerve endings, and blood vessels.
So a turtle can feel when touched and even distinguish the different types of caresses and like it. If you wanted to give a turtle a sweetie, you already know how to do it.