Porcupines

TorgoX on 2003-05-02T09:40:04

Dear Log,

Spring in Alaska apparently means porcupines, and lots of them. Their invincibility has made them slow and lazy, and this makes them dangerous -- dogs have no instinct for avoiding them, so dogs are constantly attacking porcupines; and since the porcupines don't so much run away as inch away, the dogs catch them, bite them, and get a face full of nasty mauling spines.

Watching a porcupine even trying to move is sad -- they're almost too dumb to move. I think they are horribly nearsighted, too, like molerats, or people in government.

---

frogs

inkdroid on 2003-05-02T14:46:19

I just heard on the radio this morning that there are certain types of frogs (tree frogs are one) which can freeze solid in the winter, and then revive in the spring. No heartbeat, no breathing. The only thing is that they need to be packed in snow so that they don't dehydrate. If they dehydrate too much then they revive but as they body defrosts the damaged tissue can get infected, and they can die.

Re:frogs

jhi on 2003-05-02T18:01:47

There are some fish (some species of carps, IIRC) which produce alcohol to avoid freezing.

Re:frogs

inkdroid on 2003-05-02T18:40:38

I wish I could do this during boring meetings, or while waiting in line at the supermarket :)