So, you think you're cool?

● The animal kingdom has kept pace with evolving humans — and developed amazing features. Hummingbirds are famous for being the smallest birds on Earth — and possessing extremely long beaks. Originating from insect-eating swifts with shorter beaks, hummingbirds split 42 million years ago, appearing later with a unique receptor to appreciate sweetness. Their beaks grew to consume nectar optimally, making them the ultimate gourmands● Humans pride themselves — like it’s an achievement — on being great fighters.Yet, they’re pipped at this by giraffes, whose long necks — 10 feet in length — display their martial capabilities . While 17 million years ago, giraffes had short necks, fights between males made their necks lengthen as tools of war. Male giraffes who won bouts were more successful than the vanquished in reproducing and passing these genes down, leading to today’s sinuous species● Crustaceans emerged 400 million years ago — and evolved large, asymmetrical claws which differ in function.The cutter claw has fast muscles that tear and cut food at the speed of 20 milliseconds. The crusher claw has slow fibres that produce pressure of 100 pounds per square inch. Such evolution 250 million years ago helped as both opportunities — and competitors — for food grew Research: National Geographic, Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine