Mark Mancini

A native of fabulous Rochester, NY, Mark loves freelance writing, community theater, & anything dinosaur-related. He’s also obsessed with Denver Broncos football.

11 Things You Might Not Know About 'Moby-Dick'

Little-known facts that will surprise even the most obsessive Melville fan.... READ ON

10 Crimson Facts About Cardinals

Every year, these crested songbirds add a welcome dash of color to the drab wintery months. Let’s get a little better acquainted with our rosy, non-migratory neighbors... READ ON

The Victorian Father-Son Duo Who Ate Their Way Through the Animal Kingdom

Among other items on the menu: panther, elephant trunk, blue bottle fly, and rhinoceros.... READ ON

15 Facts About the Bill of Rights

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day, so let’s celebrate by exploring the amendments that helped shape America.... READ ON

25 Things You Should Know About Wichita, Kansas

16. You can thank this midwestern city for your Pizza Hut habit.... READ ON

How Do Blanks Work As Compared to Regular Bullets?

Don't be fooled, blanks can still kill.... READ ON

12 Things You Might Not Know About 'The Wiz'

Tonight, NBC will air The Wiz Live!, a brand new production of the 1975 smash that descended on Broadway like a Kansas twister.... READ ON

12 Magical Facts About 'The Magic School Bus'

Who wouldn’t want a teacher like Ms. Frizzle?... READ ON

25 Things You Should Know About Memphis

6. Mark Twain once called Memphis the "Good Samaritan City of the Mississippi."... READ ON

10 Fascinating Facts About Morays

The fish that inspired Ursula’s sidekicks in Disney’s The Little Mermaid are at once odd, majestic, and dangerous.... READ ON

10 Back-And-Forth Facts about Abbott and Costello

At their peak, Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were quite possibly the two most quoted men in America.... READ ON

14 Fascinating Facts about El Niño

We're currently in the midst of the biggest El Niño on record. Here are a few things you might not have known about the weather phenomenon—and what we can expect from this year's incarnation.... READ ON

Are Elephants Actually Scared of Mice?

Is there truth to the cartoon trope?... READ ON

5 Parasites That Plague Other Parasites

Can you be a host and a parasite at the same time? The answer is a stomach-turning “yes.”... READ ON

8 Hybrid Animals With Awesome Portmanteau Names

Everyone knows what a liger is—but there are a few crossed creatures you might not be aware of.... READ ON

14 Revolutionary Facts About "Les Misérables"

At the end of the day, this musical one of the most popular for a reason.... READ ON

Quick Tricks to Make 10 Dreaded Chores Easier

Chores are a part of life that most of us just can’t avoid. But come next housecleaning day, don’t get mad—get creative. These tips will help those pesky little items on your “to do” list breeze by a little bit faster.... READ ON

10 Neat Facts About Newts

The subject of an unmade Pixar film and the occasional Monty Python joke—and a key ingredient in many a witch's brew—these little amphibians are world-class survivors.... READ ON

Do Scarecrows Actually Work?

For better results, try lasers.... READ ON

10 Amorphous Facts About ‘The Blob’

A quintessential drive-in horror movie, 'The Blob' has been absorbing viewers for more than 50 years.... READ ON

Some Penguins Are Projectile Poopers

These Antarctic birds might look cute and huggable, but you might want to give them a wide berth after mealtime.... READ ON

10 Aquatic Facts About 'Creature From the Black Lagoon'

Its 1955 sequel was Clint Eastwood’s first movie.... READ ON

6 Famous Scientists and Inventors Who Struggled With Math

Does trying to calculate a tip make you break out in a cold sweat? Some of the world's greatest minds would have felt your pain.... READ ON

If You Drove a Car at Light Speed, Would the Headlights Work?

Good luck even flicking on those high beams.... READ ON

The Science Behind Super Rare (and Totally Amazing) Volcanic Lightning

A "dirty thunderstorm" might sound like a bad cocktail, but it's actually one of nature's most radical events.... READ ON

15 Incredible Destinations for Fall Foliage

As summer fades and cool air fills our lungs, nothing beats gazing at a warm rainbow of autumn leaves.... READ ON

11 Things You Might Not Know About 'Blazing Saddles'

The most audacious comedy of Mel Brooks’ directorial career.... READ ON

15 Things You Might Not Know About 'Young Frankenstein'

1. Studio Executives tried Tricking Director Mel Brooks into Shooting the Film in Color... READ ON

10 Terrific Facts About Trilobites

10 Electrifying Facts for Michael Faraday's Birthday

This world-changing genius was born into poverty on September 22, 1791.... READ ON

10 Hard-Shelled Facts About Horseshoe Crabs

The plodding sea creatures have weird blood, weirder swimming habits, and a secret weapon that’s probably saved your life.... READ ON

Tracking the Origins of 7 Pirate Stereotypes

Turns out, the odds are very low there's any buried treasure.... READ ON

11 Bloodthirsty Facts About 'Little Shop of Horrors'

At first, the horrifically hilarious musical remake wasn't a huge hit.... READ ON

15 Fun Facts About 'Dick and Jane'

Once a beloved teaching tool, Dick and Jane was later denounced as dull, counterproductive, and even misogynistic. Still, whether you loved or hated them, there’s no denying that little Dick and Jane have earned their place in history.... READ ON

How the Club-Tailed Dinosaurs Got Their Clubs

Scientists might now be one step closer to understanding how one of prehistory’s most formidable weapons evolved.... READ ON

10 Wild Facts About the (Now-Extinct) Tasmanian Tiger

New facts continue to emerge about the long-gone species from Down Under.... READ ON

10 Star-Crossed Facts About 'West Side Story'

After this daring musical made its Big Apple debut in September 1957, critics reacted as if an atomic bomb had gone off over Manhattan.... READ ON

10 Soaring Facts About Albatrosses

These wide-winged, long-living avians soar far above the metaphor with which they're associated.... READ ON

The 'North Star' Is Actually Three Stars

It's a triple star system.... READ ON

10 Superlative Facts About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records has been taking note of superlative records for 60 years now.... READ ON

10 Fun Facts About Saber-Toothed Cats

Why did these terrifying beasts evolve their nasty canines? Were they loners or pride hunters? And could primitive humans have been on the menu? Let’s explore the world of saber-tooth studies.... READ ON

Cats Helped Drive Some Early Dogs in North America to Extinction

A recent study offers cat lovers some new ammunition in the "cat vs. dog" superiority debate.... READ ON

19 Facts About the 19th Amendment

On August 18, 1920, American women finally secured the right to vote. Calling the victory hard-won would be a terrific understatement. Denounced by many, the 19th amendment had an ugly, uphill, decades-long road to ratification.... READ ON

The White Deer of the Finger Lakes Are in Trouble

There are around 200 ghostly deer living near Seneca Lake in central New York. And pretty soon, the herd’s days might be numbered.... READ ON

A Brief History of the Hawaiian Shirt

Their vibrant journey to the mainland and beyond is a tale of surfers, sailors, and cultural crossroads.... READ ON

How an Old Bird Poop Law Can Help You Claim an Island

First things first: You'll need to make sure the island you're interested in is covered in fecal matter.... READ ON

The Time Herbert Hoover’s Parents Mistook Him for Dead

If not for a doctor uncle, Herbert Hoover might not have lived past age 2.... READ ON

9 Fantastic Facts About Flying Foxes

The largest bats on earth are gentle giants with a misleading name.... READ ON

15 Pieces of Classical Music That Showed Up in Looney Tunes

Warner Brothers relied on music to help pull off some of the funniest gags in cartoon history.... READ ON

11 Snake Myths, Debunked

Some snake-related urban legends aren't too far removed from reality. Others are off by a mile.... READ ON

Popular on Mentalfloss

MENTAL FLOSS

©2018 Mental Floss, Inc. All rights reserved. Mental Floss® is a registered trademark owned by Felix Dennis. mentalfloss.com is a trademark owned by Felix Dennis.

©2018 Mental Floss, Inc. All rights reserved. Mental Floss® is a registered trademark owned by Felix Dennis. mentalfloss.com is a trademark owned by Felix Dennis.