Posted on 12/24/2007 8:23:40 AM PST by devane617
Friday, December 21 The topic for todays update is poop. This idea came to me a few days ago when I watched Mei Lan stand on her head and produce a very adult-looking giant panda poop. The standing on her head part isnt necessary to do this; thats just a sign that shes still a playful kid. However, part of growing up means eating an adults diet and having adult feces (a.k.a. poop). Mei Lan started producing feces similar to that of adult pandas when she started eating bamboo. Her feces are still distinguishable from her mothers, partly because of the smaller size, but also because Mei Lans feces are a little sticky because she is still drinking milk.
Ill bet you dont know how useful giant panda poop is. The keepers weigh all of the feces produced by our giant pandas every day, because this helps us monitor how well they are eating. The keepers also rate the consistency of all the feces, because this is one way that we assess digestive function. Giant panda feces also contain lots of important and useful information. Scientists at the National Zoo in Washington D.C. developed a technique to extract hormone information from giant panda feces, which is important for monitoring reproductive cycles and stress. Urine is also used for this, but feces are easier to collect. Feces can also be used to extract DNA, which can be used to identify individuals, making it possible to census wild populations by collecting feces. Scientists from Memphis Zoo and Texas A&M University are also developing a new technique using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy to use fecal samples to determine nutrient quality of different bamboo species and to assess an individual pandas diet quality. This technique also has the potential to use feces to identify an individuals gender and reproductive status, and possibly even differentiate individuals, which also make it a useful tool for monitoring the wild population. Giant panda poop isnt just fun for scientists. Staff from the Chiangmai Zoo in Thailand use giant panda feces to make paper products, which they sell in their gift shop. I am the proud owner of some of these items. Our partner, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, even sells preserved giant panda poop on a rope in their gift shop. Something to keep in mind for holiday gift giving next year. Rebecca Snyder, PhD Curator of Carnivores
Maybe an astronaut can take into space and they can sell it as "Space Panda Poop" just like the guys did in the sixties.
No need to worry who the perp is, just sample the sewer line at everyone's house and you've got the answer.
Another 1 hour show for Mike Rowe and his Dirty Jobs.
...this thread is just.....
It’s a sh1tty job but someone has to do it.
“a very adult-looking giant panda poop”
I think I read that wrong the first time.
That's some cute sh*t there, son.
Reminds me of T.H. White’s “Once and Future King,” where Sir Pellinore collects poop from the Questing Beast, which he keeps in his pockets for comparison purposes.
We take considerable interest in the deer and wild turkey poop in our woods, because it tells us where they like to congregate.
Now we just have to figure out how to burn it in our stove.
[Giant panda feces also contain lots of important and useful information.]
You better believe it! That’s where I get all the news I live by!
Katie Couric, stand aside!
Assuming these are heterosexual Pandas and we’re getting the “straight poop”.
Panda Bear Poop futures are up.
Where’s the Aw, not this **** again graphic?
Just more global warming crap....
It's Finger Ling Ling Good!
LOL!
Although I am confused. I thought that was already Katie Couric’s source for all her “news.”
Our teenage dopers would dry it, and smoke it!
So the Chinese will literally be selling us shit, and we will literally buy it from them!
Merry Christmas.
FMCDH(BITS)
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