h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I like bats.

Don't know why but they are the world's only flying mammal.

And they're WELL cute.

No. I don't like people much

That second sentence didn't make much sense.

Actually, there is a flying squirrel. They're mammals.

Technically, I suppose they glide more than anything, but we say that a kite flies without all that flapping. Jets and planes, too.

Anything, that can descend in freefall from a height, and land softly enough to scamper off, must be doing something right.

Alright. I concede. But Penguins can't fly. Okay?

Bats are kinda neat. I went spelunking once in Tennessee and one landed on my back. When I turned it flew off. Guess it wasn't a vampire.

It wouldn't've hurt you even if it had been. Unless it had rabies, I guess. Hey, do bats actually get rabies, or is that an urban myth?

Yeah I knew I was in no danger. I think they don't actually get rabies but they can be carriers. Not sure on that though.

Oh, bats do get rabies, and they can be excellent carriers. Transmitting it is the hard part.

Vampire bats don't realy bite. They cut the skin with their teeth and lick up the blood with their tongues. That's an excellent way to transmit rabies!

cutting skin with teeth - I thought that was biting.... though. I suppose it's the same way that cats can give you tetanus.

Well, biting suggests puncturing. The razor sharp bat teeth just slice along the surface to open the skin. Their saliva has an anti-coagulant that stimulates blood flow so that they can lick up all the 'good stuff'.

Just like a knife, you can stab with it or slice with it. Two different concepts, two different results, puncture wound or cut.

Thanks for clearing that up. I did know about the anticoagulant part.

I think I would really like a vampire bat.... All that stuff about cutting and anti-coagulants just made them sound even cuter.

In order of increasing cuteness:
Bats,
Rabid Bats,
Rabid Vampire Bats
Rabid Vampire Zombie Bats!

You should see the fruit bats we have here in Floriduh. Not so cute.

No. They look soooooooooo damned cute - the pics I could find looked like a bewildered monkey with wings...

Vampire bats are cuter, still though. Although British bats will always have first place in my affections.

although rabid vampire zombie bats are cuter still...

alysdragon:

Your room is ready, complete with tiny window in door and nicely padded walls.

Beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder.

And now, prepare yourself for some exceptional, almost unbearable, batty cuteness.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/35/90125858_6e079d6802.jpg?v=0
http://www.wildlifetrust.org/news/2005/images/collared.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_dCErx5F0ZVM/R5VKMU4P41I/AAAAAAAAB5M/-ZCXIgUs2Rs/DSCN7032.JPG

And finally,
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/09/images/070918-flying-fox.jpg
September 18, 2007—This unusual species of flying fox was recently discovered in the Philippines not long after it was deemed not to exist.

Happy Thursday (I never could get the hang of Thursdays!)