Author |
Message |
Fo'andles
Elite Baiter
Joined: 06 Jul 2007
Posts: 1654
Location: busy doing nothing, somewhere
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:05 am |
|
Squirrel seen savaging fruit bat
by Matt Walker
Editor, Earth News
A squirrel has been seen attempting to savage a fruit bat to death.
The bizarre incident was witnessed by zoologist Mr William Stanley, while he was conducting fieldwork in the forests of Tanzania.
"No-one has recorded this type of behaviour or incident before," says Mr Stanley, who saw the squirrel try to kill the bat in a tree above his head.
Rodents are not known to eat meat or hunt animals, so it is unclear why the squirrel would launch such an attack.
Mr Stanley, who works at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, US has published details of the incident in the African Journal of Ecology.
This is pure speculation, but it's almost as if the squirrel was seeking to maim the bat in some way. Maim it or kill it such that it couldn't fly
Zoologist William Stanley
For the past 20 years, he has studied small mammals in Tanzania, focusing on shrews, bats and rodents, usually conducting field work during July and August.
During one afternoon survey in the Mwofwomero Forest, in the Rubeho Mountains, he heard a fruit bat shrieking.
"It was strange to hear an alarm call or vocalisation from a fruit bat typically we hear at night," he told BBC Earth News.
"That's what caught my attention. When I looked up I realised that there was a squirrel up in the branches where the noise was coming from. The next thing I saw was the flapping of the bat's wings."
Mortal wounds
Mr Stanley then describes how the events unfolded.
"It became apparent that there was an altercation happening between the squirrel and the bat, something I'd never seen before or ever heard of."
"The squirrel had the bat in its mouth, or it was at least biting it, and then the bat went quiet for a while and then starting flapping its wings again."
"The second time it started vocalising and flapping, the squirrel released it and the bat fell out of the tree and literally fell into these small saplings right above my head, and ultimately to my feet."
Mr Stanley recovered the now dead bat, a species known as Epomophorus wahlbergi , and photographed it.
"Both wings were broken at pretty much the same place on the same side and the side of the head was fractured," he explains.
Why the squirrel would want to kill the bat is a mystery.
Mr Stanley and his colleagues identified the squirrel as a Svynnerton's bush squirrel ( Paraxerus vexillarius ), which at a weight of around 280g is three times heavier than the 89g bat.
Like most other rodents, Svynnerton's bush squirrels eat vegetable matter, fruits, nuts and small insects. No squirrels are known to hunt vertebrates, or even scavenge meat.
"The least likely hypothesis is that the squirrel was preparing to eat the bat," says Mr Stanley.
"The bat was injured and damaged in very specific places. This is pure speculation, but it's almost as if the squirrel was seeking to maim the bat in some way. Maim it or kill it such that it couldn't fly."
"Either the squirrel thought the bat was a threat to it, or to its young if they were around, or to a food source. Maybe the squirrel was going after some fruit and the bat was hanging there and the squirrel wanted to get rid of some competition."
"Another possibility is that either the squirrel or the bat were mentally off balance."
"I don't think this is normal," he adds, suggesting that injury or disease could also have prompted the bizarre interaction.
Baboon's taste for bat
In the African Journal of Ecology research paper, Mr Stanley and colleague Ms Leah Collett, who works at the Animal Behaviour Research Unit based in Mikumi, Tanzania, describe another rare incidence of bat predation.
Conducting field work in the Mikumi National Park, Ms Collett witnessed a yellow baboon eating another fruit bat of the same genus ( Epomophorus minor ).
While baboons are known to eat reptiles, birds and some mammals such as hares, they have never before been recorded eating bats.
"What was really intriguing about this, which may be pure coincidence or not, is that both the bat and the baboon that ate it were pregnant," says Mr Stanley.
"We found a very developed foetus from the bat, and the baboon gave birth five days after the event was witnessed. Whether there was a connection or not we can't say |
_________________ * Help Keep Eater Running - Click here to donate
x40
FUK OOOOOOOOF - Mrs Cooker James
you are a fo0l forever because you are not worthy to be a human being but an Animal.
.something that cannot take 10minutes is taking you 2months- barrister lawrence |
|
|
|
Nanny Ogg
Baiting Guru
Joined: 19 Mar 2007
Posts: 2628
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:18 am |
|
Slightly, behave yourself.
A fruit bat doesn't count as one of your 5-a-day! |
|
|
|
|
GordonBennett
Baiting Guru
Joined: 29 Mar 2007
Posts: 2829
Location: Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:29 pm |
|
Quote: |
either the squirrel or the bat were mentally off balance |
So it was Slightly! |
_________________
DIE MUDER FUCKER
|
|
|
|
Catcher In The Lie
Master of Master Baiters
Joined: 22 Sep 2008
Posts: 877
Location: 404 Yellow Brick Road
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:53 pm |
|
Quote: |
The squirrel had the bat in its mouth, or it was at least biting it |
He actually meant baiting it. That solves it. |
_________________ x 11 x 20
"I don't want you to be burdered again." Ali the hitlad Sule
Click here to support 419Eater.com |
|
|
|
Mr Tambourine Man
Baiting Guru
Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Posts: 3398
Location: Magic swirlin' ship
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 1:54 pm |
|
I wonder if the squirrel could have had rabies? The don't usually suffer from it, but apparently only because they're small so most bites are fatal ones. |
_________________ is always Good when you have the zeal to be a hitwoman when you out of school,it makes you bold and reall and it makes you more high than any other of your friend.
NOW AMBACK FOR YOU AGAIN STURBORN SHIT
you dont have a phone.that makes makes you joe butt
Fuck you and go find something to do man. Stop disturbing me please.
This is definitely why you will remain and die in poverty, ignorant of good things and easy acknowledgment of bad things and words. Shame on you, you wicked generation children.
i went you to no that this is not a cheld pray. i went you to get back to me
we are not scammer,we hate scammer as you do.scammer make out life harder and harder,a lot of people think we are scammer,in fact,we are not!! please trustt us |
|
|
|
Gold Hat
*** BANNED ***
Joined: 18 Jul 2004
Posts: 2049
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:22 pm |
|
Notwithstanding bats and squirrels, I do like your affinity for a chick with a hairy pussy - cute avatar |
|
|
|
|
the vampire
Baiting Guru
Joined: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 3601
Location: playmobil land
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 4:48 pm |
|
Tsssk typical. Killing a harmeless bat. |
_________________ www.scamwarners.com
I'm always right! - Branwen
|
|
|
|
Connie L. Gus
Moderator
Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 7243
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:57 pm |
|
I've watched bats catch insects at night and even put up a box for them that has never been used. Here's a photo I've posted earlier that shows some in Costa Rica that line up to mimic a snake. I was told that they will move back and forth to add to the act.
I've given meat to rodents including squirrels. They have taken it and eaten it. In my neighborhood the cats get killed by coyotes. Killed but hardly ever eaten. My theory is that its to reduce the competition. |
_________________ x8
LISTEN TO ME WHAT DO YOU TAKE ME FOR ONE OF THOSE CHEAP CROOK OR WHAT -tobi donito
-a few,
LISTEN I CAN NOT TAKE YOUR SHIT ANY LONGER WE HAVE WHROTE A PETITION AGAINST YOU TO THE FBI WITH ALL OUR EVIDENCE YOU ARE INTO PROSTITUTION,DRUG DEALING, FORGERY, CREDIT CARDS FORGRY WESTEN UNION FALSIFICATION,DRUGING MEN,COMMETING MURDER, STEALING, DRUNCARD, ALL THIS WE HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO PROOF OUR CASE AGAINST YOU.-Johnson Hill
I am not finding it any funny...Henry A., Lagos, Nigeria to Cotonou, Benin, WIMPed
I am stranderd. Henry A. Lagos to Accra, WIMPed for 67 days.
* Help Keep Eater Running - Click here to donate
Last edited by Connie L. Gus on Mon Sep 21, 2009 5:45 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
|
|
Slightlyoutofit
Baiting Guru
Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 14310
Location: Foraging for Nuts.
|
Posted:
Sun Sep 20, 2009 10:58 pm |
|
Fruitbats = Bastards. |
_________________
God will see you true for all this you have done to me you bastard. - Collins Kalu
MAY THE HAND THAT TYPE ON KEYBORD BECOME STRICKEN AND TRANSMIT VIRUS TO YOU ENTIRE BODY. - Dr Linda Akeem
oh what a mess its time cabbage punks like u will be expose for trully what they are. - David Cole |
|
|
|
the vampire
Baiting Guru
Joined: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 3601
Location: playmobil land
|
Posted:
Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:09 pm |
|
|
|
|
GordonBennett
Baiting Guru
Joined: 29 Mar 2007
Posts: 2829
Location: Pedicabo ego vos et irrumabo
|
Posted:
Tue Sep 22, 2009 12:00 am |
|
Fruitbats = bastards
Squirrels = bastards
Therefore bastards = bastards
And Fruitbats = squirrels
Therefore Slightly is bats. QED
I feel so proud |
_________________
DIE MUDER FUCKER
|
|
|
|
Nosmo King
Master Baiter
Joined: 10 Aug 2009
Posts: 113
Location: Bible Belt Buckle
|
Posted:
Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:23 am |
|
the vampire wrote: |
Squirrels are bastards! |
A-freeking-men to that. Damn roof rats. I use the Hava-Hart traps to capture the furry bastids, only because Ms. GreenPeace, with whom I share a certain bond, insists that no harm come to the noxious little scions of hell who eat up my tomatoes and squash and chew through the wires EVERY DAMN YEAR THE DAY BEFORE THE NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY....
Anyway, yeah, I find them less than cute. Unless they're converted to wallets and / or bedroom slippers. |
_________________ but if you cant pay it please stop writing to me Buster the Hitperson
Thank you for precipitation with which you have forward to us the scanning copy of the receipt of Money Gram, ***because the scannage was fuzzy.
stop this you sick and hide game, it is getting too much D0n Dav1de Carl0s
x5 <a href="/forum/donate.php">[100% Risky free offer!]</a> |
|
|
|
Slightlyoutofit
Baiting Guru
Joined: 13 Feb 2007
Posts: 14310
Location: Foraging for Nuts.
|
Posted:
Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:32 am |
|
the vampire wrote: |
Squirrels are bastards! |
Keep it up and you'll find yourself on the menu.
|
_________________
God will see you true for all this you have done to me you bastard. - Collins Kalu
MAY THE HAND THAT TYPE ON KEYBORD BECOME STRICKEN AND TRANSMIT VIRUS TO YOU ENTIRE BODY. - Dr Linda Akeem
oh what a mess its time cabbage punks like u will be expose for trully what they are. - David Cole |
|
|
|
the vampire
Baiting Guru
Joined: 27 Jul 2008
Posts: 3601
Location: playmobil land
|
Posted:
Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:58 pm |
|
No worries. Squirrels are far to busy glaring at camera lenses. |
_________________ www.scamwarners.com
I'm always right! - Branwen
|
|
|
|
Corona
Baiting Guru
Joined: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 8809
Location: On ya left!
|
Posted:
Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:10 pm |
|
|
|
|
Master of Puppets
Baiting Guru
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Posts: 3294
Location: Pulling the Strings
|
Posted:
Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:13 pm |
|
|
|
|
mr.scissorkick
Elite Baiter
Joined: 03 Feb 2009
Posts: 1973
Location: 50.299209,-3.650293
|
Posted:
Wed Sep 23, 2009 12:34 am |
|
If this thing turns into a street ... er... tree-fight, I've got your back vampire. I just noticed how similar we look. |
_________________ -MY DEAR SIR STOP THIS BULL SHIRT WHO IS MR.GOMER? ~Pual Williams
-This is why your wife divorced you! ~Melveille Turner (Hawaiian Punch)
x 67
x 34 (Hi, kids!)
Accra-Lagos = "you made me and my people to wiat at the air port for nothing sake.and pay for hotel resavetion its not sound." -John Asamoha
Hon. Martins 16 Jan 2009 - 7 May 2011
Reap / Sow |
|
|
|
|