Unpopular and Maligned Animals

Nat · 12-09-2011, 10:42 AM

Thought it might be interesting to have a thread regarding the creatures people tend to dislike almost on instinct. My definition of animal here does not include humans or plants or fungi, but would include any other living entity that feeds on living things that feed on other living things.

I saw this today and thought it was neat:

Researchers discover empathy in rats:

Elijah · 12-09-2011, 11:12 AM

However, this is interesting...

http://ethiovision.com/hyenas-not-a-...r-in-ethiopia/

starryeyes · 12-09-2011, 11:24 AM

Cochroaches. I love all things living and can't even kill a spider in my house, but these things just skeeve me. I have never had one in my house, thank goodness. I went to the Zoo in Santa Barbara and they had a hissing cockroach exhibit. I did not look intentionally, but as soon as I saw them I went I to an instant panic attack. My girlfriend at the time had to like walk me out of the exhibit, lmao. So weird. I have never had a personal experience with them that I can remember.

Nat · 12-09-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by starryeyes

Cochroaches. I love all things living and can't even kill a spider in my house, but these things just skeeve me. I have never had one in my house, thank goodness. I went to the Zoo in Santa Barbara and they had a hissing cockroach exhibit. I did not look intentionally, but as soon as I saw them I went I to an instant panic attack. My girlfriend at the time had to like walk me out of the exhibit, lmao. So weird. I have never had a personal experience with them that I can remember.

Don't ever move to Texas

Rockinonahigh · 12-09-2011, 11:38 AM

You best not come to louisiana,we have generational roaches..they get bigger every generation..the plametto bugs will spook ya big time..yuck hate em!

starryeyes · 12-09-2011, 11:46 AM

Ok.. I cant read this thread lmao.

Glenn · 12-09-2011, 11:52 AM

I had a pet cockaroach I named Big Bug and trained it to follow me in every room, eat off a plate with two front legs, do somersaults, sit on my shoulder, and sit on the sofa with me and watch TV.

ruby_woo · 12-09-2011, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nat

Thought it might be interesting to have a thread regarding the creatures people tend to dislike almost on instinct. My definition of animal here does not include humans or plants or fungi, but would include any other living entity that feeds on living things that feed on other living things.

I saw this today and thought it was neat:

Researchers discover empathy in rats:

Rats FREAK ME OUT. I've run down the street screaming after seeing a rat. I tried reading the rat article but the rat in a tube picture was giving me the heebie jeebies. I think I'd rather find out my house had ghosts than rats.

I like lizards though, I guess lots of people don't. They have have cute little faces.

Cin · 12-09-2011, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nat

Thought it might be interesting to have a thread regarding the creatures people tend to dislike almost on instinct. My definition of animal here does not include humans or plants or fungi, but would include any other living entity that feeds on living things that feed on other living things.

I saw this today and thought it was neat:

Researchers discover empathy in rats:

I love rats. I love rodents in general. I brought my white mouse to school once in my pocket and then my nickname was rat until we moved and I changed schools.

kannon · 12-09-2011, 12:29 PM

Interesting fact:

rats are not carriers of rabies. They cannot carry or transmit rabies.

ButchEire · 12-09-2011, 12:34 PM

True, unless they are bit by an animal carrying rabies. Non-meat eating animals like squirrels, rabbits and bats that eat fruit or bugs are also not carriers. Because raccoons and possums scavenge scraps and eat meat, they have a higher incidence of carrying rabies.
ETA: Only because many people believe incorrectly that rats, etc., cannot get or give rabies: http://www.ratbehavior.org/DryBite.htm

They can, but the cases are rare.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannon

Interesting fact:

rats are not carriers of rabies. They cannot carry or transmit rabies.

kannon · 12-09-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButchEire

True, unless they are bit by an animal carrying rabies. Non-meat eating animals like squirrels, rabbits and bats that eat fruit or bugs are also not carriers. Because raccoons and possums scavenge scraps and eat meat, they have a higher incidence of carrying rabies.
ETA: Only because many people believe incorrectly that rats, etc., cannot get or give rabies: http://www.ratbehavior.org/DryBite.htm

They can, but the cases are rare.

"Rabies from rats is very rare and has never been documented in the United States. However, a handful of cases of rabies from a rat bite have been recorded in Poland (Zmudziñski and Smreczak 1995, described in Wincewicz 2002), Israel (Gdalevich et al. 2000), Thailand (Kamoltham et al. 2002) and Surinam (Verlinde et al 1975)."

I wonder if they were able to exclusively link the transmission of rabbies to the rats in Poland, Israel, etc.

I'll have to let my vet know he was wrong.

The JD · 12-09-2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannon

Interesting fact:

rats are not carriers of rabies. They cannot carry or transmit rabies.

The Black Plague, however....lol. I know, I know, technically, it was the fleas on the rats that spread the plague that killed half of Europe. But still.

I used to have pet rats, loved them. Flea-less pet rats, that is.

kannon · 12-09-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The JD

The Black Plague, however....lol. I know, I know, technically, it was the fleas on the rats that spread the plague that killed half of Europe. But still.

I used to have pet rats, loved them. Flea-less pet rats, that is.

there was a case of bubonic or black plague in the the US just last year.

VERY important to deflea your rats.

They do have antibiotics to treat it but you have to catch it within 24 hours or so.

I love rats too.

Apocalipstic · 12-09-2011, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannon

there was a case of bubonic or black plague in the the US just last year.

VERY important to deflea your rats.

They do have antibiotics to treat it but you have to catch it within 24 hours or so.

I love rats too.

Prarie dogs carry it.
I am fascinated by Bubonic Plague and other infection deseases like Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Polio, etc....

Cin · 12-10-2011, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nat

Thought it might be interesting to have a thread regarding the creatures people tend to dislike almost on instinct. My definition of animal here does not include humans or plants or fungi, but would include any other living entity that feeds on living things that feed on other living things.

In the spirit of living entities feeding on living things that feed on other living things I thought this article was interesting.

Bugs and Krill, the Other White Meats: Time to Start Eating at the Bottom of the Food Chain

http://www.alternet.org/food/153359/...he_food_chain/

Jett · 12-10-2011, 08:54 AM

Omg I luved luved luved my rat Peebo, he was a Black Hooded Rat and was so sweet and curled up on my shoulder every night for tv time... they are terrific little friends. =)

I've had snakes, rats etc. for buds and never been biten... I have however pulled my truck over to help a teeny tiny kitten on a remote highway and had my hand savagely attacked (I literally had to shake it off, lol) and ended up getting rabies shots... who knew kittens did crack? Not me apparently...

o.@

Cin · 12-10-2011, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jett

have however pulled my truck over to help a teeny tiny kitten on a remote highway and had my hand savagely attacked (I literally had to shake it off, lol) and ended up getting rabies shots... who knew kittens did crack? Not me apparently...
o.@

Well that must've sucked. You don't expect to be attacked by a kitten. It's not the same thing I know but this reminded me of the day when I was bitten by first a dolphin and then an emu. I felt like a bizarro world Dr Doolittle where all the animals hate me.

Venus007 · 12-11-2011, 09:26 AM

I like king snakes, well I like most all snakes but king's have a special place in my heart. In the culture I grew up in, when someone gets a new house, it is traditional to give them a king snake to put under their house. King snakes eat other snakes, even venomous ones. So they are a snaky friend. They are also quite docile and easy to feed and handle in captivity. As an added bonus they look like coral snakes so other predators leave them alone.

The JD · 12-11-2011, 11:57 AM

Ahh! Snake! Could be poisonous, but maybe not. How does that saying go....Let's see, red next to yellow, kill a fellow, red next to black, friend of Jack. Hmm, okay, be still, snake, lemme see... check! Friend of Jack! This one's okay!

But who the heck has time to do that?? If I see a snake with red, yellow and black stripes, I'm running either way!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Venus007

I like king snakes, well I like most all snakes but king's have a special place in my heart. In the culture I grew up in, when someone gets a new house, it is traditional to give them a king snake to put under their house. King snakes eat other snakes, even venomous ones. So they are a snaky friend. They are also quite docile and easy to feed and handle in captivity. As an added bonus they look like coral snakes so other predators leave them alone.

12-09-2011, 10:42 AM	#1
Nat Senior Member How Do You Identify?: bigender Preferred Pronoun?: whatevs Relationship Status: in a relationship Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tx Posts: 3,535 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,042 Thanked 13,992 Times in 2,594 Posts Rep Power: 21474854	Unpopular and Maligned Animals Thought it might be interesting to have a thread regarding the creatures people tend to dislike almost on instinct. My definition of animal here does not include humans or plants or fungi, but would include any other living entity that feeds on living things that feed on other living things. I saw this today and thought it was neat: Researchers discover empathy in rats: __________________ I'm a fountain of blood. In the shape of a girl. - Bjork What is to give light must endure burning. -Viktor Frankl

12-09-2011, 11:12 AM	#2
Elijah Member How Do You Identify?: Genderqueer Butch Preferred Pronoun?: Masculine ones Relationship Status: Open to healthy possibilities... Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 554 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 738 Thanked 1,628 Times in 393 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	Hyenas However, this is interesting... http://ethiovision.com/hyenas-not-a-...r-in-ethiopia/ __________________ "There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and of unspeakable love." ~Washington Irving

12-09-2011, 11:38 AM	#5
Rockinonahigh Senior Member How Do You Identify?: stone butch Preferred Pronoun?: makes no diffrence,I know who I am. Relationship Status: single,maybe looking if the right person comes along. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 4,907 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 4,682 Thanked 14,937 Times in 3,936 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	You best not come to louisiana,we have generational roaches..they get bigger every generation..the plametto bugs will spook ya big time..yuck hate em! Last edited by Rockinonahigh; 12-09-2011 at 11:39 AM. Reason: typo

12-10-2011, 08:54 AM	#17
Jett Member How Do You Identify?: Hardcore bullheaded grown-ass Tomboy Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: she loves my shaggy hair Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: The backroom of a night cafe plotting world domination Posts: 1,028 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,054 Thanked 3,299 Times in 568 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Omg I luved luved luved my rat Peebo, he was a Black Hooded Rat and was so sweet and curled up on my shoulder every night for tv time... they are terrific little friends. =) I've had snakes, rats etc. for buds and never been biten... I have however pulled my truck over to help a teeny tiny kitten on a remote highway and had my hand savagely attacked (I literally had to shake it off, lol) and ended up getting rabies shots... who knew kittens did crack? Not me apparently... o.@ __________________ .......... In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. ~Albert Camus

12-11-2011, 09:26 AM	#19
Venus007 Member How Do You Identify?: Femme Preferred Pronoun?: Serene Highness ;} Relationship Status: Dreamily contemplating some outrage against conventional morality Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Houston area Posts: 1,362 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,417 Thanked 4,766 Times in 1,142 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I like king snakes, well I like most all snakes but king's have a special place in my heart. In the culture I grew up in, when someone gets a new house, it is traditional to give them a king snake to put under their house. King snakes eat other snakes, even venomous ones. So they are a snaky friend. They are also quite docile and easy to feed and handle in captivity. As an added bonus they look like coral snakes so other predators leave them alone. __________________ . "I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction. " Ayn Rand, Anthem "So you'll die happily for your sins. You'd rather die in guilt then live in love?" Timothy Leary

12-09-2011, 11:24 AM	#3
starryeyes Senior Member How Do You Identify?: a round peg in a square hole Preferred Pronoun?: Guess... Relationship Status: Seat taken Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rocky Mountain High Posts: 2,491 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,199 Thanked 10,056 Times in 2,077 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Cochroaches. I love all things living and can't even kill a spider in my house, but these things just skeeve me. I have never had one in my house, thank goodness. I went to the Zoo in Santa Barbara and they had a hissing cockroach exhibit. I did not look intentionally, but as soon as I saw them I went I to an instant panic attack. My girlfriend at the time had to like walk me out of the exhibit, lmao. So weird. I have never had a personal experience with them that I can remember.

12-09-2011, 11:46 AM	#6
starryeyes Senior Member How Do You Identify?: a round peg in a square hole Preferred Pronoun?: Guess... Relationship Status: Seat taken Join Date: May 2011 Location: Rocky Mountain High Posts: 2,491 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,199 Thanked 10,056 Times in 2,077 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	Ok.. I cant read this thread lmao.

12-09-2011, 11:52 AM	#7
Glenn Senior Member How Do You Identify?: Dear Ol Butch Bones Preferred Pronoun?: Old Thing Relationship Status: Too old to play. Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: :rolleyes: Posts: 1,546 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 3,597 Thanked 3,732 Times in 1,096 Posts Rep Power: 21474852	I had a pet cockaroach I named Big Bug and trained it to follow me in every room, eat off a plate with two front legs, do somersaults, sit on my shoulder, and sit on the sofa with me and watch TV.

12-09-2011, 12:29 PM	#10
kannon Member How Do You Identify?: bloke Preferred Pronoun?: He Relationship Status: Happy is the heart that believes in angels Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Land of Milk and Honey Posts: 884 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 1,920 Thanked 2,067 Times in 584 Posts Rep Power: 21474850	Interesting fact: rats are not carriers of rabies. They cannot carry or transmit rabies.