Turkey Facts

Turkeys are the biggest birds in their family. On average the weight of a full grown healthy turkey can reach up to 37 pounds (17 kilograms). Turkeys like to stay on higher places, especially at night. Branches of trees are their favorite sleeping places. On heights they usually keep safe from predators like foxes, coyotes, and raccoons. They are quite social birds and like to sleep in groups, known as flocks.

Turkey meat contains an amino acid known as tryptophan that is used to produce serotonin in our body. Serotonin is a chemical that our brain uses for relaxation and sleep functions. Of course tryptophan in turkey meat is not to blame so much as the high amount of carbohydrates that are used in making a Thanksgiving meal. Things like bread, potatoes, pies, and sweats release many kinds of amino acids in our blood. This also results in producing more serotonin with the help of tryptophan. That is why Thanksgiving meals usually make us sleepy.

Wild turkeys can fly at a speed of up to 55 mph (89 kilometers per hour) although they like to spend more time on ground finding food. Domestic turkeys like broad-breasted white turkeys can’t fly because they gain too much weight on their upper section.

Turkeys have eyes on the both sides of their head. They can see 360 degrees just by moving their head. Turkeys can also see different colors and their amazing visual abilities help them avoid sneak attacks from their predators. Their sharp eyesight helps them find their prey from a long distance.

Turkeys have no external ears, but their hearing is quite phenomenal.

Snoods are the long dangly extended flesh on the beaks of turkeys. They also have warts and dangling appendages on the both sides of their face. The colors of these snoods and warts change when the bird get excited or frightened. These usually pale pink or gray colors turn into blue, red, or white when they feel excited.

Seventeen More Banana Facts

Here are a few more facts about why bananas, nature's wonder fruit, are so good for us.

1. Bananas contain tryptophan which turns into serotonin after consumption.
2. The boost in serotonin is an effective and natural way to reduce the effects of depression.
3. Potassium in bananas greatly reduces the likelihood of getting muscle cramps.
4. Bananas are a great source of calcium.
5. Bananas have been known to reduce the prevalence of menstrual cramps.
6. Bananas are high in vitamin B, promoting the production of white blood cells.
7. Bananas contain a healthy amount of iron.
8. The FDA says bananas can help lower blood pressure.
9. Bananas contain pectin, which is a great digestion aid.
10. Bananas are natural antacids and can calm heartburn.
11. Bananas are one of the only foods that can combat the pain of stomach ulcers.
12. Bananas are known to be natural protection against kidney disease and brittle bones.
13. Bananas are high in antioxidants.
14. Bananas can normalize blood sugar levels between meals.
15. Rub the inside of a banana peel on a bug bite for quick itch relief.
16. If you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, bananas can reduce the effects due to their high level of tryptophan.
17. To quit smoking, help curb the withdrawals with the high levels of vitamins, potassium, and magnesium in bananas.
    (Make banana ice cream. Peel two bananas and put in freezer for an hour. Take out, slice, put in blender with two tablespoons peanut butter, or some chocolate chips, or bacon - blend, scoop, enjoy.)