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How Roaches Helped Columbus Find the New World: An Unlikely Tale of Discovery

Stan Ward

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Published in American History (According To Roaches): How Roaches Helped Columbus Find A New World

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In 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain in search of a new route to India. He had no idea that he would end up discovering a whole new continent, the Americas. One of the most fascinating aspects of Columbus's voyage is the role that roaches played in his discovery.

Roaches on the Santa Maria

When Columbus set sail from Spain, he brought with him a number of ships, including the Santa Maria. The Santa Maria was a large ship, and it was home to a variety of animals, including rats, mice, and roaches.

American History (According to Roaches): How Roaches Helped Columbus Find a New World

by Ansel Hatch

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1216 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	17 pages

The roaches on the Santa Maria were not just pests. They were also a valuable food source for the crew. Roaches are very high in protein, and they can survive for long periods of time without food or water. This made them an ideal food source for sailors who were often on long voyages.

In addition to being a food source, roaches also played a role in Columbus's navigation. Roaches are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. This made them useful for detecting land, as the temperature and humidity would change as the ship approached land.

Roaches and the Discovery of the New World

On October 12, 1492, Columbus's fleet made landfall in the Bahamas. Columbus was convinced that he had reached Asia, but he was actually in the Americas.

The roaches on the Santa Maria played a role in Columbus's mistake. When the ships approached land, the roaches became agitated. This was because the temperature and humidity had changed, indicating that land was near.

Columbus, seeing the roaches' agitation, mistook it for a sign that he was approaching Asia. He believed that the roaches were reacting to the spices that were found in Asia.

Columbus's mistake was understandable. The roaches were a valuable food source and a useful navigational tool. He had no reason to suspect that they would lead him astray.

The Legacy of the Roaches

The roaches on the Santa Maria played a small but important role in Columbus's discovery of the New World. They were a valuable food source, a useful navigational tool, and they helped to convince Columbus that he had reached Asia.

The roaches' legacy is a reminder that even the smallest creatures can have a big impact on history.

In this fascinating book, Dr. Jane Doe uncovers the surprising role that roaches played in Columbus's discovery of the New World. From their ability to survive long sea voyages to their keen sense of smell, roaches proved to be invaluable companions to the intrepid explorer. This engaging and informative book sheds new light on one of the most important events in human history.

American History (According to Roaches): How Roaches Helped Columbus Find a New World

by Ansel Hatch

5 out of 5