…Fakename’s Animal Planet. Meet Styloctenium mendorensis:
The reason Stylo attracted my attention is that his face bears an uncanny resemblance to my dog Pippin, aka, The Beast. The main difference is that Pippin’s nose isn’t split into two parts. Besides that, Pippin doesn’t have wings. I’m sure he wishes he did. Then he could just fly over the fence and bite all those annoying children riding bikes down his street.
Stylo is one of the top 10 new species of 2007, according to Arizona State University. He’s a little fruit bat found only on the Phillipine island of Mindoro. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25215673?pg=6#TOPspecies_science
This article was one of a couple linked to the main article entitled “Lobsters and crabs feel pain, study shows”. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29915025/?GT1=43001 As Andy Borowitz might say, this must have been the cover story on this month’s issue of Duh Magazine. Here’s the first sentence of that article:
“Ripping the legs off live crabs and crowding lobsters into seafood market tanks are just two of the many practices that may warrant reassessment, given two new studies that indicate crustaceans feel pain and stress. “
Wait a minute. Ripping the legs off live crabs? Somehow I missed the part where we were doing that. Included in the article was a poll which asked, if you were sure that lobsters and crabs feel pain, would you stop eating them? The majority–44.7%–said No, pain is a fact of life for food. Oh, I don’t think so. Death is a fact, but who said it had to be painful? What a strange and cruel species we are.
Finally, a second linked article was called “Hook-ups in the wild: Do animals enjoy sex?” http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29878301/ This must have been on Page 2 of Duh Magazine. Apparently scientists previously thought that humans were the only animals who have sex just because it’s, well, fun. Until the next episode of Fakename’s Animal Planet, I leave you with a romantic image from the article.
What a hideous little creature. It looks like it will eat your face off.
Aww, I think he (or she) is pretty cute! You gotta admit that at least the giraffes are adorable.
If the bat won’t snack on your face (and I doubt that your face is a fruit), The Beast may be happy to sub for it.
Rofl, Fakesister, truer words were never spoken. The bat is much cuter, and without a doubt, much nicer than The Beast.
The Beast is my cross to bear. I’d like to trade him in for a bat.
I’m happy to report that my personal menagerie has only sweet representatives of their respective species. I’ve been married to the SO for 31 years now so I obviously think rather well of him.
The remaining Scotty is cute as can be and very brave as long as the windows are closed.
The elder statesman horse, Spot, is moving better with his new, fancy, vasodilator and antioxidant meds. Which meds I don’t know the cost of yet – the vet had no clue when he handed them over.
The actively working horse, if you call standing around looking stupid while eating grass 6 days a week ‘actively working’, is a true joy to ride. Just don’t ask him to hold his feet up peaceably for the farrier.
Well, of all the species in your collection the SO is without a doubt the prickliest one. “Prickly” being my word for the month. But even I have to admit he has his good points…glad you decided to keep him.
And feet…you want to hold The Beast’s foot? You can do that…as long as you’re prepared to lose a hand, no problem. He really isn’t quite that bad. Sometimes I can shame him into submission. Then he will plaster his little bat ears to the side of his head and act like he actually gives a damn about your opinion.
The reason for that bat’s look is the way he’s being manhandled! if anyone grasped me like that….
Another distinction for the Philippines!
I agree, Anarchist. It is totally rude to have your wings smashed like that.
Apparently there are lots of unnamed species in the Phillipines still being discovered. You probably had security guards to chase them out of the gated community…just kidding!