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

[rubynye.livejournal.com]

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

DO EEET. \o/