BATS: SMARTER THAN US?

We report; You decide.

Key Quote:

To see just what methods a bat uses to make the lightning fast interception, the team took infrared video and sound recordings of eight big brown bats intercepting both free flying and tethered insects in Moss’s specially designed bat lab.

That's right: Scientists, working in a Bat Lab, have figured out how to tether an insect. ("Grab him, Dr. Hoopleman! Hold his legs!")

Comments

[Juggler of Geese]

I wonder if there is somekind of trademark infringement by using the term "specially designed bat lab.".

[puppytoes]

and this falls into the category of "rocket science"?

[puppytoes]

and, for the record... we used to "tether" insects as kids (one bee + 1 piece of thread = hours and hours of good, clean, sadistic fun).

[Olo Baggins of Bywater]

P-toes....we did this with flies in school. A long strand of hair borrowed from one of the girls (they never wanted it back for some reason) and tie it around the fly. Like a dog on a leash, but upside-down.

[mudstuffin]

Got to try this with my fly rod.

After a couple of beers, of course.

[slyeyes]

Bat Lab? Does Adam West know about this?

The first time I read this, I thought echolocating bats was echolactating bats; which would be something completely different.

[Punkin Poo]

Who wants to bet that at least ONE of those scientists has sung out "Da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da da BATMAN!" while working....

[russell]

"The bat emits a series of ultrasonic pulses through its mouth to search its environment."..
similar to Paris Hilton

"“Constant bearing is a simple, intuitive way of doing complicated mathematical calculations,” says, lead author Keymaster of Ghoser, Ph.D. “

where's Zuul?? Who does your taxes?

"Holy vocalizations, Batman, they're like guided missiles"

[CoastRaven]

Yeah punkin - Or when they were done their morning coffee in the UofM Commissary, one of them would always stand up with arms akimbo and say
"Quickly - to the Bat Cave!"

[Dr McCoy]

Dammit, Jim, I'm a doctor, not a veterinarian!

[Bumble]

puppytoes~ My mom says she used to do that. I guess you guys had to have something to do before there were blogs. :-)

[Lairbo]

All of this research brings us one step closer to realizing mankind's dream of making it easier to get moth balls.

[crossgirl]

*snork* at lairbo

[Higgy]

Someone smack Bumble for the geezer crowd. I'd do it, but I'm too busy attaching cables to these gnats....

[Bumble]

Higgy~ I've got more in common with the geezer crowd than I'd like to think. I started getting gray hairs when I was 16, and I've already started talking about "the good old days." You know, when gas was $.99 once right after I got my license. *shudder*

[Layzeeboy]

Tethered Insects WBAGNFARB

[MzVette]

Speaking of sadistic insect fun, has anyone seen that website that tells you how to make a airplane out of matchsticks and flys? If so... can you send it to me? That thing cracks me up, but I have no clue what the link is.

[Mad "soon to be Weasel" Scientist]

Well working in the bat lab sounds a lot more fun than working in the DNA Poo lab.

[Sarcasmo]

Bumble, you too? I thought it was because I was working at Chuck E. Cheese's 40 hrs. a week.

[Glix]

MzVette,

That's the first thing I thought of.
Here it is.

[Eleanor]

Announcement

I, as someone who was fortunate enough to be able to provide a little help (that's all she needed, a "little") to Bumble in her Business Law Class, I'd like to report that she excelled and her grade was better than an A!!!

WTG, Bumble!!!!

private message to Bumble: L'Oreal. That is all.

[Lairbo]

Is Gary Larson running that lab, or what?

[O. the U(manity)]

Puzzlin' quote: ... may have pushed the bat to adopt this technique to catch a meal on the go as quickly as possible ...

Couldn't the bats merely go thru the drive-up lane @ Mickey D's for this?

[Chatmal]

"The bat emits a series of ultrasonic pulses through its mouth to search its environment."..
similar to Paris Hilton -- russell

Tears... hyperventilating... looking like an idiot in your office? Priceless.

[Bumble]

*blushing @ El's comment*

And thanks for the tip, but I'm not the dyeing type. :-)

[Chatmal]

Make a airplane out of matchsticks and flys? -- MzVette
No smoking aboard... (I'm just sayin')

[crossgirl]

way to go bumble!

[Eli]

I have a friend who used to tether flies to little pieces of string.

[sparrow]

tethering beetles is also a fine activity for a lazy summer afternoon - remembering the good times...

[Lisa Bisa Fo Fisa]

Congrats Bumble!

[Stupendous Man]

And when the experiment ended, the scientists all suddenly realized their subjects had bat breath.

[big, coolblooded, lazy nothing comparative to faithful]

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