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Subject:
From:
Jack Newman <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sat, 24 May 1997 12:48:08 -0500
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The following biologic information comes from recent National
Geographics.  For "God", feel free to substitute "evolution", "nature",
or "chaos theory" (whatever that is), if you wish.

"The phalarope, a wading shorebird, has a unique way of dining on
creatures too deep for it to reach.  It draws them up by spinning in the
water at breakneck speak.  Phalaropes detect prey, thrust, seize,
transport and swallow in less than half a second, at a rate of 180 pecks
per minute".

But God forgot the vitamin D

"Light signals are essential to butterfly mating... Males and females
have photreceptors on their sex organs.  When light to the male's
receptors is completely blocked, the pair's genitalia are exactly
aligned and they can mate.  If the light leaks, it's no go."

But God forgot the vitamin D

"Tiny blind burrowers, Namib Desert golden moles have nifty survival
tricks.  After hunting termites on the surface, they dig a foot or so
into the African sand and remain torpid there for 19 hours or more as
their bodies cool, reducing their energy needs".

But God forgot the vitamin D

"Bola spiders excel at capturing moths.  Females spin a silken thread
with a sticky droplet at the end.  When a moth appears, the spider
swings the thread until it sticks.  To bring moths close, the spider
uses deception.  She produces chemicals similar to pheromones used by
females of several moth species to attract mates.  When male moths show
up, they find only a fatal attraction."

But God forgot the vitamin D

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC

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