ryoder 1,381 #1 May 9, 2012 One effort has involved air-dropping mice that have been laced with poison and fitted with parachutes out of helicopters. It provides a deadly dinner for any unsuspecting snakes below. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17992053"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MikeJD 0 #2 May 9, 2012 Poisoned and thrown out of a helicopter? That really is above and beyond. Talk about taking one for the team! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #3 May 9, 2012 Hey! Maybe they could do that down in the Everglades to get rid of the pythons! Of course they would have to use pigs and goats instead of mice ...but what the heck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #4 May 9, 2012 Why the parachutes? A mouse's terminal velocity is so low it won't be killed by the light impact. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,340 #5 May 9, 2012 Quote Why the parachutes? A mouse's terminal velocity is so low it won't be killed by the light impact. Because, as God is thier witness, nobody believs mice can fly. It would appear pretty cruel to just toss the mice out, even though they are being tossed to be eaten. I'm curious if the dose of acetaminephen are harmful to the mice. I can't imagine a dose that would affect the snake wouldn't have some pretty serious effects on the mouse. And the idea of a snake eating a dead mouse (as mentioned in the story) is preposterous. Snakes won't eat anything that wasn't alive when they grabbed it."There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy "~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #6 May 9, 2012 I'm not too sure about the parachute either. For one thing, once the mice land, they won't be able to run and hide, because the chute will snag on things and hold them in place. That's a benefit I suppose, making them easy prey for the snakes. But then how do the snakes swallow them with a parachute still attached? Since they're dropped from helicopters, you could just sprinkle them out at treetop level, and the mice won't be hurt by the fall, and the snakes will hunt them down and eat them. I don't see how they really need parachutes. Maybe they're just saying that to head off complains of animal cruelty, but aren't really doing it. But then, I would think the poison alone would be enough to piss off the PETA folks. I'd love to see what a mouse parachute rig looks like... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #7 May 9, 2012 A lot of things feed on mice. Owls, wolves, etc, here in North America. In Guam, I'm sure there are plenty of animals there that depend on them for food. Poisoning a bunch of them will hurt a lot of other animals ... I'm reminded of New Zealand. White people brought rabbits, who are a scourge. Then they brought weasels to kill the rabbits. Unfortunately, the weasels killed a lot of the Kiwi (the bird, not the people :) as well as a lot of other native animals. Better to leave well enough alone, people tend to make matters worse, not better.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #8 May 9, 2012 QuoteA lot of things feed on mice. Owls, wolves, etc, here in North America. In Guam, I'm sure there are plenty of animals there that depend on them for food. Poisoning a bunch of them will hurt a lot of other animals ... I'm reminded of New Zealand. White people brought rabbits, who are a scourge. Then they brought weasels to kill the rabbits. Unfortunately, the weasels killed a lot of the Kiwi (the bird, not the people :) as well as a lot of other native animals. Better to leave well enough alone, people tend to make matters worse, not better. Hawaii had similar problems. They had native rodents who would destroy crops, then they brought in mongoose to control the rodents, then the mongoose became a problem themselves. I don't remember the exact details. It's been 11 years since I visited Hawaii and read the history, but they do have tight controls on incoming wildlife, even family pets."Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #9 May 9, 2012 this has virulent mouse plague written all oever it You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
muff528 3 #10 May 9, 2012 Quote this has virulent mouse plague written all oever it I understand your concern. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
popsjumper 2 #11 May 10, 2012 Quote I'm reminded of New Zealand. White people brought rabbits, who are a scourge. Then they brought weasels to kill the rabbits. Unfortunately, the weasels killed a lot of the Kiwi (the bird, not the people :) as well as a lot of other native animals. Better to leave well enough alone, people tend to make matters worse, not better. ...and what are they going to do wen mice overrun the country? I know! Weasels! Cats! Exterminators on every corner!My reality and yours are quite different. I think we're all Bozos on this bus. Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 3 #12 May 10, 2012 QuoteI'm not too sure about the parachute either. For one thing, once the mice land, they won't be able to run and hide, because the chute will snag on things and hold them in place. That's a benefit I suppose, making them easy prey for the snakes. But then how do the snakes swallow them with a parachute still attached. Wouldn't be hard to attach a small container for the mice to a small round parachute/drogue and rig it so when it hits the ground, it falls apart."I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,381 #13 May 10, 2012 Quote White people brought rabbits, who are a scourge. White people are a scourge where ever they go."There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #14 May 10, 2012 QuoteA lot of things feed on mice. Owls, wolves, etc, here in North America. In Guam, I'm sure there are plenty of animals there that depend on them for food. Poisoning a bunch of them will hurt a lot of other animals ... I'm reminded of New Zealand. White people brought rabbits, who are a scourge. Then they brought weasels to kill the rabbits. Unfortunately, the weasels killed a lot of the Kiwi (the bird, not the people :) as well as a lot of other native animals. Better to leave well enough alone, people tend to make matters worse, not better. The Galapagos Islands have similar issues.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
accur8shot 0 #15 May 25, 2012 I like imagining the mice with miniature rigs and tiny goggles. Then again I can be impressed just by shiny objects. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatmiser 0 #16 May 25, 2012 Quote One effort has involved air-dropping mice that have been laced with poison and fitted with parachutes out of helicopters. It provides a deadly dinner for any unsuspecting snakes below. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17992053 "I'm tired of these mother fuckin' snakes on this mother fuckin' plane!"What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #17 May 25, 2012 QuoteWhite People are a scourge where ever they go. FIFYTrapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bertt 0 #18 May 26, 2012 The mice run around at night; the mongeese run around in the daytime. They never see each other.You don't have to outrun the bear. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,381 #19 June 11, 2012 And now SpecOps rats: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/06/08/gps_rat_landmine_sniffers/"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #20 June 11, 2012 Quote Quote Why the parachutes? A mouse's terminal velocity is so low it won't be killed by the light impact. Because, as God is thier witness, nobody believs mice can fly. It would appear pretty cruel to just toss the mice out, even though they are being tossed to be eaten. I'm curious if the dose of acetaminephen are harmful to the mice. I can't imagine a dose that would affect the snake wouldn't have some pretty serious effects on the mouse. And the idea of a snake eating a dead mouse (as mentioned in the story) is preposterous. Snakes won't eat anything that wasn't alive when they grabbed it. If a human ODs on Paracetamol it takes a few days to die of multisystemic failure. (A bloody horrible and very painful way to go) it doesn't take much to kill a human and so I guess its the same for a mouse, a relatively small dose and the mouse will have a few days before death by which time it will have been snaffled by hungry snakes. BTW you are incorrect about snakes not taking dead feed, they do and have no problem with it.When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skyrad 0 #21 June 11, 2012 There you go John http://eventservices.disney.go.com/pintrading/pin?id=18583When an author is too meticulous about his style, you may presume that his mind is frivolous and his content flimsy. Lucius Annaeus Seneca Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
