June 6, 2009: Pussy Cat

[xoxoxoBruce]

I thought Kolbenfresser was going to put one up, maybe he meant tonight.
So for your viewing pleasure we have a pussy cat named Sheena...

Sheena was brought in to the Santago Rare Leopard Project from a UK zoo when she was just four months old.
The African leopard can be found in the continent's forests, grasslands, savannas, and rainforests. The leopard is the most elusive of all the big cats. They are solitary animals and are primarily nocturnal - preferring to hunt at night. The species is also a strong climber and is capable of killing prey larger than itself. The leopard's prey ranges from fish, reptiles and birds to smaller mammals such as hares and monkeys. A stealthy hunter, leopards are known to stalk close to their prey and run a relatively short distance on the hunt.
They kill by grabbing their prey by the throat and biting down with their jaws, and store their larger kills in trees - out of the reach of prowling lions and hyenas.

But Sheena met her match in Rattus Norvegicus...

It's not so much snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, as dinner from the jaws of danger. But even the imposing presence of an adult leopard at feeding time is not enough to get between plucky young Rattus Norvegicus (better known as the brown rat) and a free meal. This extraordinary series of images were captured by photography student Casey Gutteridge, as he trained his camera on the leopard for a course project.

Mr Gutteridge said: 'I have no idea where it came from - he just appeared in the enclosure after the keeper had dropped in the meat for the leopard. 'He didn't take any notice of the leopard, just went straight over to the meat and started feeding himself. 'But the leopard was pretty surprised - she bent down and sniffed at it and flinched a bit like she was scared. 'It was amazing, even the keeper who had thrown the meat into the enclosure was shocked - he said he'd never seen anything like it before.'
An expert at the Wildlife Trust said the creature was in fact a young and 'inexperienced rat', identifiable by its big paws and ears and more importantly its bald, scaly tail with a thick base.

And evidently, very large balls.

link

[ZenGum]

I've read there is a parasite whose life cycle involves being in a rat, then a cat, and which affects the rats brain causing it to lose its fear of open spaces. Maybe this little guy has that. Either that, or huge cajones.

[SPUCK]

Looks like one of my chicken pen rats. I lift the coop door with my foot because half the time there's a rat under it.

[spudcon]

The correct name for that rat is Rattus Norvegicus Dumassus Dieyoungus.

[ZenGum]

Spudcon, 1,000 posts! May you live much longer than this little rodent.

[spudcon]

Thanks Zen, I'm sure most anything has lived longer than that particular rat. Actually in a few more days I'll be advancing deeper into the realm of geezerdom..

[capnhowdy]

That rat was most likely on pot. That's the kind of shit you do when you take that stuff. (my Dad)......

[Shawnee123]

Reefer Madness!

[spudcon]

Relative of the rat below.

[LasloHlyfeld]

@ZenGum: I believe the parasite you're thinking of is called Toxoplasmosis.

Also, today's images brought this classic caption to mind:

[jinx]

@ZenGum: I believe the parasite you're thinking of is called Toxoplasmosis.

Yes, this is the reason why pregnant women aren't supposed to change the shitty litter...
Rats/mice that have been exposed tend to be attracted to cat piss, instead of repelled by it.
I remember reading that people exposed to the parasite are more likely to be/have been in car accidents and their might be an effect on reflexes/reaction times among other things. Crazy shit.

[capnhowdy]

I bet that rat's name was D-CON.

[sweetwater]

If that rat ever connected the dots - or spots - it would faint away. But perhaps we should give a meat-eating rat more credit as a formidable opponent, at least to that captive leopard.

[vocalperk]

my gosh, that cat is so pretty.

[Cyber Wolf]

Originally Posted by sweetwater

If that rat ever connected the dots - or spots - it would faint away. But perhaps we should give a meat-eating rat more credit as a formidable opponent, at least to that captive leopard.

Point of fact, rats are omnivorous. They'll eat anything if given the chance. They can be neophobic about food but once they've tried it (or smelled it on another rat's breath) they'll eat it. A bit of choice meat is a great lure for a rat that's had it already. Mine will clamor at the cage doors if they think I've got slightly meaty rib or chicken bones for them.