Bridges, Gingers & Prehistoric Nightmares

A stolen bridge that vanished overnight, why redheads feel pain differently, and a 10-foot-tall killer bird that once ruled the Earth.

Max Whitt
February 13, 2025

A disappearing bridge, the unexpected truth about redheads, and a bird so terrifying it ruled prehistoric Earth. Buckle up, this one's weird.

Let’s dive into three mind-blowing stories that prove reality is often stranger than fiction.

You’ve heard of stolen cars and missing bikes, but what about an entire bridge vanishing overnight?
In 2012, thieves in Russia made off with a steel bridge near the town of Khabarovsk. The massive structure, weighing several tons, was dismantled and hauled away—probably for scrap metal. Locals woke up confused, staring at what was supposed to be a road leading to… nothing.
But Russia isn’t alone in this absurdity. Bridges have been stolen in India, the U.S., and even the Czech Republic. Apparently, if it’s made of metal and big enough, someone will try to take it.
Takeaway: If thieves can steal an entire bridge, maybe it’s time we started locking up the really big stuff.

Redheads are rare—making up only 1-2% of the world’s population—but that’s not even the most interesting thing about them. Studies show that redheads feel pain differently than people with other hair colors.
Thanks to a mutation in the MC1R gene, redheads have a higher pain tolerance for some types of pain but are more sensitive to temperature changes. They also require about 20% more anesthesia than others to be fully sedated.
Some researchers believe this unique trait dates back to early human survival adaptations. Either way, if you’re a redhead, congratulations—you might be a genetic superhuman.
Takeaway: Next time you meet a redhead, just know they could probably outlast you in a cold room and need extra numbing at the dentist.

Meet the Terror Bird—a 10-foot-tall, meat-eating nightmare that once ruled prehistoric South America.
These giant, flightless birds had powerful beaks capable of crushing skulls in one bite. Some species could run up to 30 mph, making them fast, furious, and terrifyingly efficient predators.
Thankfully, they went extinct about 2.5 million years ago, possibly outcompeted by the arrival of big cats and other mammals. But for a time, these birds were the apex predators of their world.
Takeaway: Next time a duck looks at you funny, just remember—it could’ve been a lot worse.

From stolen bridges to redhead superpowers and prehistoric horror birds, today’s trivia proves that the world is equal parts bizarre and brilliant.

Stay curious, question everything, and if you ever feel extra cold—it might just be your MC1R gene at work.

Yours in delightful discovery,

— Max Whitt🎩🔥🦆