When Autumn comes around, most of us look forward to colder weather, pumpkin spice lattes, and Halloween. It's a great time of the year, but do we know all there is to know about this season? Take a look at some cool facts about Autumn that you probably didn't know.
1. Fall is the rutting season (mating season) for ruminant animals, such as sheep and deer.
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Ironically testosterone levels increase in both men and women during this season as well. Coincidence?
2. Babies born in the autumn season will probably live longer than those born in spring, winter or summer.
Also, the most athletic children are usually born in autumn, and children born in the summer have been shown to develop slower than those born in fall.
3. Men think women are more attractive during the fall.
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There are a few possible reasons for this. One being their rise in testosterone levels, another being the "contrast effect." So if you're planning on wooing a man, your chances of winning them over go up in autumn.
4. The "Harvest Moon" appears in autumn.
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It is the full moon that appears closest to the autumn equinox. The light of this moon was essential for farmers to have a bountiful harvest back when electricity was not around. Thanks, Harvest Moon!
5. The leaves change colors.
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This is a fact we all know, but do you know why this happens? Leaves produce something called chlorophyll, which gives them their green pigment. However, this stops being produced during the colder seasons, allowing the other pigments to shine through, like red, orange and yellow.
6.In autumn days become shorter and nights become longer.
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This is definitely the season for those who consider themselves night owls!
7. This season used to be called "harvest" before the terms "fall" and "autumn" came to be.
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Americans typically refer to this season as fall, but the English usually refer to it as autumn. Both of these terms date back to the 16th century.
8. There's a reason why the "freshman 15" is a thing.
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During the spring and summer months, people eat more carbs. However, in the fall, people tend to eat more fatty foods. Good thing baggy sweaters are in style then!
9. Women, you have a higher risk of autumnal depression, unfortunately.
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This is also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It affects 4-5 percent of the population, which, when you look at the numbers, is pretty big. For some reason, men have a lower chance of having this issue.
10. According to a study done by The Weather Channel, pumpkin is the most craved food and flavor in autumn.
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I wonder why...
11. There is an ancient pagan celebration known as the "Feast of Our Lady Harvest" that was celebrated during fall.
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During this harvest, pagans celebrate goddesses associated with things like fruit and grain. When the church started changing holidays to fit their religion, this day became known as the "Day of Assumption," which is when Catholics celebrate the day Jesus' mother Mary went to Heaven. The Church has also influenced holidays like Easter and Christmas, which have pagan roots.
12.Heart attacks and car accidents decrease during the fall.
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Yay! Less deaths during a beautiful season. Meanwhile, during the spring, these kinds of deaths and accidents go up. Ironically the spring is associated with new life, and the fall and winter is associated with death.
13. Oktoberfest is a beer festival held in the fall that originated in Munich, Germany, in the early 1800s.
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Locally, this event is called the Wisen, but is celebrated by over 6 million people all around the world. It is 14 days long, and over 1.3 million gallons of beer are reportedly poured for this event. So if you're a drinker, you're going to love early fall!
14. Sperm count goes up during the fall...
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So the chances of a man getting a woman pregnant go up as well!
15. Women start to lose more hair during autumn.
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Researchers believe it is because women's bodies hold onto that hair during the summer to protect their scalps from the sun, and then begin to let go as the days get shorter. Don't worry, you're not going bald. It's all natural!
16.Catching leaves during the fall is suppose to bring good luck, according to superstition.
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So get out there and frolic in the leaves! Enjoy this beautiful fall season before its gone.