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How do wombats poop cubes? (2021)

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Re: How do wombats poop cubes? (2021)

#61

Post by ErigmolCt »

appplication wrote: post #35
xattt wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was a yew bush on my walk to primary school. When berries were in season, I used to pick and squish the berry between my fingers because the shape was unique (berry with a seed that sticks out‽) ands its slimy feel. Thank goodness it never amounted to anything more, even through transdermal absorption.

We had them in our yard growing up, I recall regularly playing with the berries for the exact same reason. Funny enough my dad did warn me not to eat it, but based on this post eating the berry itself would have been one of the few ways it’s not toxic. Had no idea about the rest of the plant being so toxic until today.

The fact that the inviting red part is mostly fine but the plant around it is deadly is very on-brand for nature

Re: How do wombats poop cubes? (2021)

#64

Post by Kim_Bruning »

taneq wrote: post #47
zhoBEENG wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If they die within 30 minutes, you would never see the scat of those who crack the seeds.

This reminds me of the old “bats use sonar and can fly super precisely without crashing into each other in pitch black” and then it turns out that they crash into each other all the time .

You have a source or observation for that? All I can find is the exact opposite, that they do just fine even in challenging conditions.

Re: How do wombats poop cubes? (2021)

#65

Post by ycombinete »

ErigmolCt wrote: post #59
xattt wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There was a yew bush on my walk to primary school. When berries were in season, I used to pick and squish the berry between my fingers because the shape was unique (berry with a seed that sticks out‽) ands its slimy feel. Thank goodness it never amounted to anything more, even through transdermal absorption.

The amount of childhood survival that comes down to "thankfully I only poked it and didn't eat it" is kind of alarming in retrospect

It’s probably selected for. We’re pokers by natural selection.

Re: How do wombats poop cubes? (2021)

#66

Post by lostlogin »

golem14 wrote: post #37
nickdothutton wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They are planted in graveyards in the UK, it prevents grazing animals from entering and soiling up the place. The animals seem to know to keep away. They cant nibble the grass without getting a mouthful of the needles.

I hear Yew is uniquely poisonous to horses (I mean, they are especially susceptible to it)

The more I learn about horses the more they seem like a creature that’s continually trying to die - and humans get to try and stop them succeeding.

Re: How do wombats poop cubes? (2021)

#67

Post by lostlogin »

NooneAtAll3 wrote: post #48
hypfer wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> if just one seed has a crack in it and you swallow it it will stop your heart in about thirty minutes. That is complete bullshit and you shouldn't be posting it this confidently. Those seeds are very poisonous, yes, but not in that cartoonish way. It's not cyanide.

even cyanide isn't cartoonish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6hOVhQQ9hI substance itself is not what kills you - it's the dose

> substance itself is not what kills you - it's the dose

Doesn’t that apply to every single thing that exists?

Re: How do wombats poop cubes? (2021)

#68

Post by lostlogin »

seriocomic wrote: post #45
3eb7988a1663 wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, Mr. Oatmeal is apparently repeating an urban legend. I look at a wombat, and no way do I believe that thing can move at 25 mph (40 kph). I found a piece[0] which indicates this might have been some confusion as to metric vs imperial decades ago that was then retransmited through the ages. [0] https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2024-04-13/how-fast-can-...

We have four on the boundaries of our property. My 'Goldidor' (Labrador/retriever cross) has given chase a few times and has struggled to keep up. When they run they RUN. Maybe not pushing 40kph, not not far from it...

I got our dog up to 35-40kmh when he chased me on a bike one day, and he maintained it for quite a while.

If it’s outrunning a dog, it’s moving quick.

Re: How do wombats poop cubes? (2021)

#70

Post by reltnek »

lostlogin wrote: post #67
NooneAtAll3 wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

even cyanide isn't cartoonish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6hOVhQQ9hI substance itself is not what kills you - it's the dose

> substance itself is not what kills you - it's the dose Doesn’t that apply to every single thing that exists?

The old toxicology proverb is: "The dose makes the poison"
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