Wild Kingdom

[victor_von]

Well, to give the whole story, I'm sick. Sore throat, want to sleep, that kinda thing. I went by campus health today, and was lucky enough to get an appointment right away. I have a virus, there's not treatment except for treating the symptoms. If I rest, it will go away. No big deal

Comments

[crowhen]

You said she looked like she was squeezing her prey. What actually was happening was that she had to consciously release her claws, which takes a lot of effort. Here's what happens:

When a hawk grabs an animal in its talons, the muscles act like a ratchet, tightening up in a flash of instinctual nerve impulses, making sure that the prey is secured first.

The tricky part is letting GO! The hawk has to consciously release those muscles, often using muscles to pull in the opposite direction.

Imagine if every time you grabbed something your muscles locked in place. Now imagine trying to put a coffee cup down. Interesting!

I learned this from a falconer I used to hang out with. Sometimes, the bird can't let go and the squirrel is still alive-- and bitey. Sometimes they will bite the hawk's toes. Half of the time, the hawk loses the nail on that toe. I think wild birds must be better at killing or they would all lack the claws necessary to survive!

[victor_von]

That's really interesting. I had no idea that hawks' claws work that way.

It was hard to tell from where I was-- I stayed way back so not to spook her-- but it looked like the squirrel was trying to fight its way loose. That might have just been the hawk extracting her claws, though.

[eirlysiau]

Next time you go by campus health you can stop and see me. I'm in the next building over (but also attached by the skyway). Not that I hope you should stay sick or anything!

[victor_von]

Heh. Hopefully I won't need to make many return trips. I will try to swing by some time, though.

[dj_yomi]

I grew up on a farm, and whenever my grandfather (who ran the farm) would mow the hay fields, several hawks would perch in the trees at the edge of the field and wait...for rodents and other small creatures to flee the mower. And when they did, the hawks would strike. It was like a free lunch buffet for them, and fun for me to watch.

[deathtosmurfs]

Those moments always bring the clarity of how Mankind tries to distance themselves from Nature, but how it never really works.

We are blessed to be part of this wild, vibrant and savage life.