On the subject of swamp bunnies

[schmerica]

I don't know about you, but I find few things creepier than the phrase "semi-aquatic rodent."

pearl_o: If I made you a list that went "muskrat, beaver, possum, nutria", I would mean it as a list of things I am vaguely creeped out by which my dad and grandpa often trap in the fall. I suspect tracey would take it as a list of possible jamborees.
pearl_o: ...I think I just disapprove of rodents in general, actually.
pearl_o: PRINCESS BRIDE HAD A VERY LARGE IMPACT ON MY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
pearl_o: NO ROUSes!

fox1013: heeeee
fox1013: I LOVE YOU SO MUCH IT HURTS.

pearl_o: Beavers continue to grow throughout life. Adult specimens weighing over 25 kg (55 lb) are not uncommon. Females are as large as or larger than males of the same age, which is uncommon among mammals.
pearl_o: THEY HAVE A PLAN.
pearl_o: ...probably the plan just involves dams?
pearl_o: but STILL.

In the wikipedia entry about beavers, I also learned this factoid:

The North American Beaver (C. canadensis) is the national animal of Canada; it is depicted on the Canadian five-cent piece and was on the first Canadian postage stamp, the Three-Penny Beaver.

I think Three-Penny Beaver might be the best thing I have ever heard. I might have to change my lj name to that.

Look at it! Awwww.



Anyway. Then I read about muskrats nd came across this:

The muskrat is considered a pest because its burrowing causes damage to dykes and levees.

Heee. IF ONLY WE HAD KNOWN SOONER.

Also, apparently muskrats and beavers used to be considered as fish within Catholic food regulations, and thus acceptable for eating during Lent. That is kind of fascinating. (You know why fish were originally considered purer than meat, and thus more often acceptable during fasting to begin with? Lack of semen. No, really. We learned about it in one of my medieval art classes, when you were looking at bestiaries. It was awesome.)

Also also: apparently nutria are crepuscular. I really, really, really need to work that word into my vocabulary, because seriously. CREPUSCULAR! That is just an awesome, awesome, awesome word.

(Crepuscular is a term used to describe animals that are primarily active during the twilight. The word derives from the Middle English and French word crepuscule, meaning "twilight". Crepuscular is thus in contrast with diurnal and nocturnal. )

Finally, the first thing the internet has to tell me about hedgehogs is this: They give off a distinctive musky odor, produced by anal glands. Well played, internet. Well played.

Comments

[marginalia.livejournal.com]

crepuscular is totally a great word. ratties are crepuscular :)

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

I make an exception to my general intolerance of rodents for ratties, just because you have shown me they bring lots of joy and cuteness. Yay.

[marginalia.livejournal.com]

aw yay! they really are the best :)

[derryderrydown.livejournal.com]

But what about hamsters? They are cute and snuffly and run 4-8 miles in a single evening.

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

But their eyes are all beady!

/totally irrational

[brooklinegirl.livejournal.com]

THREE-PENNY BEAVER.

omg. PEARL. I VERY SERIOUSLY may have to call the next con that. My heart is EXPLODING with love.

Also: crepuscular has been my favorite word since I first heard of it in The Sparrow. How AWESOMELY USEFUL and PARTICULAR is that word? ♥

If I made you a list that went "muskrat, beaver, possum, nutria", I would mean it as a list of things I am vaguely creeped out by which my dad and grandpa often trap in the fall. I suspect tracey would take it as a list of possible jamborees.

a) YAY. b) wtf is a nutria? Does your dad trap granola bars?

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

Nutria are ... yucky rodents. Basically. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutria) They're not worth much.

THREE-PENNY BEAVER.

omg. PEARL. I VERY SERIOUSLY may have to call the next con that. My heart is EXPLODING with love.

*beams at you* THREE PENNY BEAVER.

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

I VERY SERIOUSLY may have to call the next con that.

DO EEET. \o/

[http://users.livejournal.com/_unhurt_/]

[info]pearl_o: ...THEY HAVE A PLAN.
[info]pearl_o: ...probably the plan just involves dams?
[info]pearl_o: but STILL.

<3 <3 <3

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

IT IS STILL CREEPY!

[fox1013.livejournal.com]

Just to clarify:

You're freaked out by semi-aquatic rodents but find my fear of fish weird?

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

Yes.

...Is that a problem?

[fox1013.livejournal.com]

No, just curious.

[speshope.livejournal.com]

Fox, Nutria are scary. My roommate and I decided that if they could talk, they'd sound like the chihuaua in Oliver and Company.

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

ROUSes are always scary! I disapprove!

[frog4.livejournal.com]

Hi! I don't know you from Adam, but my roommate, rhythmsextion also has a fish phobia. Perhaps the two of you should start a support group, or something?

[holyschist.livejournal.com]

Also, apparently muskrats and beavers used to be considered as fish within Catholic food regulations, and thus acceptable for eating during Lent. That is kind of fascinating.

I think this may be a legend. But it's still neat!

Personally, I am very fond of semi-aquatic rodents, except nutria (which are an invasive non-native species in Oregon that damage native wetlands!).

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

Hmm, it might be a legend, but if so, it's one that makes a lot of sense with the medieval science and classification methods of the church, too. This link quotes an 18th century source (http://www.chowdc.org/Papers/Saunders%202001.html), and this one (http://www.jimmyakin.org/2005/02/lent_roundup.html) seems to be quoting from a theology book from a priest from the 30s, so who knows.

[holyschist.livejournal.com]

Hmm, perhaps I am confusing it with something else.

Apparently whale is okay for Lent, too, despite being red meat.

(Neil Gaiman makes an inadvertently dirty pun! (http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/2004/06/whales-beavers-unborn-rabbits-and.asp))

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

*giggles* Awesome.

[ethrosdemon.livejournal.com]

Nutria are pretty cool. People who are unfamiliar with them tend to...react strongly when confronted by them, though.

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

I actually really don't know much about them other than a) there's rather too many of them than the Oregon countryside should have and b) they're the least valuable animal you get in the traps.

[ethrosdemon.livejournal.com]

I didn't know they live where it gets cold! That's the thing I learnt today (aside from some people can be unbelievably snotty for absolutely no reason when you're running a Con).

[geeklite.livejournal.com]

Crepuscular is one of my favourite words.

The muskrat is considered a pest because its burrowing causes damage to dykes and levees.

Eep! Did everyone survive the jamboree OK?

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

Maybe THAT was the cause of the con crud!

[laughingacademy.livejournal.com]

Three-penny opera beaver!

Huh. According to Wiki, nutria/copyu are not only crepuscular, but the females’ nipples are on their backs so their young can feed when their mamas are in water.

Evolution is so cool.

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

Hee, SERIOUSLY.

[frog4.livejournal.com]

Random Beaver Factoid: Apparently, back in the early days of hockey, a skate manufacturing company came out with their first line of women's skates. They called them the Lady's Beaver. \o/