So...

[rose_of_pollux]

What are all the things I learned while being on my own for a week at an animal behavior conference? Well, just some of the things include…

* Always check your trash cans for opossums. This wasn’t a presentation, but a life lesson I learned the first morning when I stumbled upon this guy:

Comments

[insaneladybug]

Yikes, the possum experience probably would have freaked me out. That's good that you were able to get it out of there!

It sounds like a very fascinating time overall! I'm particularly intrigued by the dog/wolf facts and the thing about finch marriages. Aww.

Good luck to the person wanting to smuggle the bluejays out! That's terrible that they're slated for death! And I am not surprised that it's a common thing to name lab animals.

I wish the birds around here could be smart and stop making a mess out of our porch. **repeated headdesk.** There's hardly any safe place to walk! We've never had this much trouble before.

Oy, that does sound very awkward.

[rose_of_pollux]

Indeed, it was unexpected!

Yessss, it was! Had a great time and already hoping it works out that I can go next year! It's Toronto this time...

Indeed, it's because they're not part of the pet trade (like the finches are, so I have far fewer hoops to jump through for when I want to adopt Napoleon and Illya) and because they are not native to her area, so that's why the jays are otherwise doomed. But yes, I probably shouldn't have been surprised about the names either, heh...

Gah, oh dear. Well, from what it sounds like, they're being too smart for their own good by avoiding dirtying their own nests... at the expense of yours. *headdesk*

Yeaaaaah, it was...

[insaneladybug]

Hopefully you can! Toronto sounds fun.

Ahh, I see. Still horrible, though.

Bleeeeh.

[rose_of_pollux]

Yes, it does!

Yep...

[spikesgirl58]

People tend to sell birds short as pets, but they are lovely additions to households. And smart doesn't even start to describe their intelligence.

I'm glad you had a good conference and that Napoleon and Illya were so well received.

I didn't know that about the water, though. Is it just finches or all birds?

[rose_of_pollux]

They really do! And yes, they are much smarter than people give them credit for!

Thanks! It was really great!

I would imagine it was all birds--and even other animals. Fish that live in the water are the most affected.

[spikesgirl58]

People (me, included) don't stop to think that anything they pour down their drain can have enormous consequences to other life forms. I've been trying to be so much more careful about what gets back into the water system.

[rose_of_pollux]

Indeed; that's goof that you're being careful!

[pikapal91746]

I've had quite a few encounters with possums in my life. I used to see them a lot more when I used to live by Whittier Narrows.

Those are some pretty neat facts about birds.

[rose_of_pollux]

Oh, neat! I haven't really had any encounters with one until this time!

Yessss, they are fascinating!

[pikapal91746]

When I have seen them they usually look at me and hiss.