As someone who raised hamsters, I can tell you that the hamster does not go through the cedar shaving unless the hamster wants to. Of course, I always made sure they had a couple inch layer of shavings. Sometimes, the hamster would push them aside because they liked the cool metal floor but that was their choice. On the other hand, they are also free to pile the shavings up even deeper and just cover themselves. You act like they have no choice in the matter.

a manual particle collector (broom) and a manual particle shifter (shovel).

Wildcats (tigers, lions, bobcats, etc) will take down a prey animal. We think they just eat the muscle. In reality, they often go for the stomach of the herbivore they just brought down to get the vegetable matter there. Then they eat other internal organs (liver, spleen, kidneys) so they aren’t just eating muscle.

For our pets, well, we all know they don’t eat the same thing every day. Firstly, the the thing they do eat every day, pet food, has various nutrients included so it’s a balanced meal for them. Secondly, we give them treats which may or may not be beneficial.

As for we humans wanting variety, it’s exactly that. We want but don’t need as much variety as we get. We enjoy the different flavors even if the items containing those flavors aren’t exactly good for us (twinkies, 8 year scotch, etc). Our pets and wild carnivores don’t get the opportunity to try these other flavors (well, our pets get some opportunity but not to the extent we have granted ourselves).

Oh. You’re right. Dana did Bush the first. Wouldn’t be prudent.

Secondary reply: I don’t know If I’d call bald eagles smart. When I drive by a road kill that has vultures and a bald eagle feasting at it, the vultures fly away from the road while the stupid eagle flies right in front of my car. I’ve nearly had them smash into my windshield several times. It is now my standard reaction to slow down if I see a bald eagle eating road kill. I don’t worry about the vultures because they know what to do.

BTW, bald eagles were nearly driven extinct by DDT. We quit using that so bald eagles are now numerous enough that I have to brake to keep from hitting while they eat road kill despite the lead poisoning.

Not denying the condor thing. Still didn’t answer the vulture thing. Yes, I know condors are a type of vulture but so are black vultures and turkey vultures which are more common than ever.

Bug zappers don’t focus on mosquitos. They focus on bugs attracted to light. Mosquitos aren’t particularly attracted to light. They are attracted to body heat and, most particularly, carbon dioxide. Our exhalations draw them near. Then the heat from the veins close to the skin’s surface provide the fine tuned target. So, to attract mosquitos, emit carbon dioxide which then draws near to a body temperature heat source, which then zaps or drowns them. This drowning is accomplished by having the mosquitos attracted to a suction which then blows them into water with a bit of soap in it.

There used to be a satirical musical group called the Capitol Steps that sang a song called “Bomb, Bomb, Bomb, Iran” sung to the tune of the Beach Boys Barbara Ann. This was at 20 years ago. Unfortunately, Covid killed the group (as in made it no longer viable because people quit coming to see them, not actually killing them).

I wish they’d try to make a comeback.

It will probably trip and fall then jump saying it’s OK. Gerald Ford actually like Dana Carvey’s portrayal of him.

Not sure if you’re American or not but here’s a question for you. These bald eagles are allegedly dying from lead poisoning from eating creatures shot by lead bullets/pellets. This must mean they are scavenging. Yes, I know bald eagles do that a lot but they also kill their own prey. So why aren’t vultures dying of this lead poisoning. Vultures only scavenge so it should happen much more often.

Here’s another thought. 80% of eagles brought into a clinic may be dying of lead poisoning but that 80% is part of a small number overall. Notice they never say how many eagles are brought in.

Here’s another thought for you: When someone says such and such is the fastest growing demographic for such and such a thing, it could just mean that there were very few such incidences. 2 such incidences occurred when there used to be just one. WOW! Hundred percent increase? Such incidences have DOUBLED!

Don’t let Rita Skeeter twist your thoughts. Get the whole story.

There are still some dark purple bananas out there. They are usually less than 1/2 the size of a normal (cavendish?) banana. They don’t taste as good to me but many people love them.

Lead gives you brain damage. Rock laughs.

No. Not the easily fragmented feldspar. Nice solid granite.

Oh, no no no. There are many things proven to kill you. Curare, arsenic, botulism, too much salt, not enough salt, too much water, not enough water, and on and on and on and on …

It looks like the cage has cedar chips on the bottom which is softer than the packed dirt this creature would sleep on in the wild.