The discussions show a strong interest in the animal's unique chemical defenses, with many posts praising the discovery and sharing related facts, such as snakes using frog venom or animals stealing toxins; words like 'poisonous surprise' and 'cool animal' reflect enthusiasm and curiosity, while referencing specific research articles emphasizes a meaningful engagement with the scientific findings.
AgreementModerate agreement
Most discussions highlight the novelty and importance of the research on the African crested rat's chemical defense, showing general support.
InterestHigh interest
The posts demonstrate high curiosity, with many sharing detailed facts and expressing amazement about the animal's unique adaptations.
EngagementModerate engagement
Discussions include references to specific research findings, additional animal behaviors, and related facts, indicating moderate engagement.
ImpactModerate impact
The conversations acknowledge the significance of the discovery in understanding animal defense mechanisms, though mostly in an informational way.
Abstract in brief
The African crested rat has developed unique physical structures and behaviors to acquire, store, and display toxins from the roots and bark of the Acokanthera schimperi tree, essentially making itself poisonous.
The rat gnaws and masticates the tree material, then slavers it onto specialized hairs that release the toxin when the predator bites or mouths the rat, serving as a defense mechanism.
The toxin, a cardenolide similar to ouabain used in traditional African arrow poisons, is potentially lethal and represents the first known example of a mammal acquiring and using such a complex chemical defense.]
Thievery is a known survival strategy in the wild. But you couldn’t steal a toxin...or could you? Meet 5 animals that turn someone else’s poison into their own weapon of choice.
https://t.co/fn1fPIkGoJ https://t.co/ixsypRD130
Feb 28, 2021 · 18 likes · 6 shares · 112,552 followersView post →
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Through Time and Clades
@TimeAndClades · X
In an update to our series on bird evolution, we cover news in this field from the past year, including giant penguins, giant eagles, terror bird tracks, and birds with armored necks! Stick around to the end for an announcement on our human origins series. https://t.co/1hfUWyZO6w https://t.co/EZ8sDeqHDt
Jan 3, 2024 · 10 likes · 6 shares · 291 followersView post →
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Dr Kate Umbers
@kateumbers · X
Late to the party on this one, but HOLY GUACAMOLE! Don't bite this RAT!!
A poisonous surprise under the coat of the African crested rat
New episode of @TimeAndClades! @KilldeerCheer and I discuss the past year in fossil bird discoveries, including giant eagles, terror bird tracks, and birds with armored necks: https://t.co/uxxtMZetQS https://t.co/fd8WtSlyBn
Jan 4, 2024 · 6 likes · 6,898 followersView post →
Jan 26, 2020 · 4 likes · 2,704 followersView post →
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EAPCCT
@eapcct · X
Tox on the day! 3 August 2011. Kingdon et al. publish paper which first describes a placental mammal, who chews the roots & bark of a highly toxic tree, and who then smears the toxin on its specially adapted fur to deter potential predators. #toxontheday https://t.co/WiKEdvZ5Az
Aug 3, 2021 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 1,752 followersView post →
This episode explores how some animals acquire and utilize poisons for survival. Meet species such as the African crested rat, which stores toxins from plants and displays them as a defense mechanism, showcasing complex…
This update explores new discoveries in avian evolution since December 2022, including giant penguins, giant eagles, terror bird footprints, and armored-necked birds, highlighting recent advances in understanding bird…
New episode of @TimeAndClades! @KilldeerCheer and I discuss the past year in fossil bird discoveries, including giant eagles, terror bird tracks, and birds with armored necks: https://t.co/uxxtMZetQS https://t.co/fd8WtSlyBn
Jan 4, 2024 · 6 likes · 6,898 followersView post →
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Gary Ritchison
@GaryRitchison · X
RT @TimeAndClades: In an update to our series on bird evolution, we cover news in this field from the past year, including giant penguins,…
RT @TimeAndClades: In an update to our series on bird evolution, we cover news in this field from the past year, including giant penguins,…
Jan 3, 2024 · 6 shares · 6,898 followersView post →
TC
Through Time and Clades
@TimeAndClades · X
In an update to our series on bird evolution, we cover news in this field from the past year, including giant penguins, giant eagles, terror bird tracks, and birds with armored necks! Stick around to the end for an announcement on our human origins series. https://t.co/1hfUWyZO6w https://t.co/EZ8sDeqHDt
Jan 3, 2024 · 10 likes · 6 shares · 291 followersView post →
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EAPCCT
@eapcct · X
Tox on the day! 3 August 2011. Kingdon et al. publish paper which 1st describes a placental mammal, who chews the roots & bark of a highly toxic tree, and who then smears the toxin on its specially adapted fur to deter potential predators. #toxontheday https://t.co/WiKEdvZ5Az 1/3
Aug 3, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,752 followersView post →
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The Wild Episode
@WildEpisode · X
Main research source for all this: Kingdon, Agwanda et al, 2012, A poisonous surprise under the coat of the African crested rat, Proc. R. Soc. B., 279, 675–680. Free to read here: https://t.co/2ETw1ZNbuL 10/10
@lypez3 Estes tem um estômago bem peculiar e único que pode processar esta toxina segundo o artigo que descreveu o comportamento
https://t.co/gVUIgjvRzt
Aug 28, 2021 · 1 like · 2,560 followersView post →
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Poisoncentre.be
@be_poisoncentre · X
RT @eapcct: Tox on the day! 3 August 2011. Kingdon et al. publish paper which first describes a placental mammal, who chews the roots & bar…
Tox on the day! 3 August 2011. Kingdon et al. publish paper which first describes a placental mammal, who chews the roots & bark of a highly toxic tree, and who then smears the toxin on its specially adapted fur to deter potential predators. #toxontheday https://t.co/WiKEdvZ5Az
Aug 3, 2021 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 1,752 followersView post →
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NaturalHistory_SL
@Lanka_Wildlife · X
@ORodentia @EaronnScot This was only described scientifically about a decade ago https://t.co/43WGQXAs61
Mar 28, 2021 · 1 like · 1,244 followersView post →
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LearnTheThing
@LearnTheThing1 · X
A thing that I learned today: There are snakes that will actually use the venom of venomous frogs they consume. https://t.co/he9dbuyadF
RT @SciShow: Thievery is a known survival strategy in the wild. But you couldn’t steal a toxin...or could you? Meet 5 animals that turn so…
Feb 28, 2021 · 6 shares · 154 followersView post →
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Tux
@tuxedosaurus · X
RT @SciShow: Thievery is a known survival strategy in the wild. But you couldn’t steal a toxin...or could you? Meet 5 animals that turn so…
Feb 28, 2021 · 6 shares · 308 followersView post →
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SciShow
@SciShow · X
Thievery is a known survival strategy in the wild. But you couldn’t steal a toxin...or could you? Meet 5 animals that turn someone else’s poison into their own weapon of choice.
https://t.co/fn1fPIkGoJ https://t.co/ixsypRD130
Feb 28, 2021 · 18 likes · 6 shares · 112,552 followersView post →
Presumably, this is yet further adaptation to protect the maned rat against predators.
Some references for today’s fact:
-Picture and info on the strange skull of the maned rat (Kingdon et al., 2011: https://t.co/nt2uR4ITtX)
-Maned rat photograph by S.B. Weinstein.
Some references for today's fact:
-Image 1 and the microscopic structure of the hairs of Lophiomys imhausi (Kingdon et al., 2011: https://t.co/nt2uR4ITtX)
-Image 2 by Susannah Rouse.
Tox on the day! 3 August 2011. Publication of paper which 1st described a placental mammal, who chews the roots & bark of a highly toxic tree, and who then smears the toxin on its specially adapted fur to deter potential predators. #toxontheday https://t.co/WiKEdvZ5Az
Aug 3, 2020 · 3 likes · 1,752 followersView post →
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Cammy Beyts
@cbeyts · X
RT @kateumbers: Late to the party on this one, but HOLY GUACAMOLE! Don't bite this RAT!!
A poisonous surprise under the coat of the Afric…
@WildliferSteph Such a cool animal!
I was in possession of the n=1 crested rat from this study for about 45min. Still shocked that this didn't count as a coauthored contribution
A reference for today's fact:
-Don't lick the maned rat (Kingdon et al., 2012: https://t.co/nt2uR4ITtX)
As always, if you have any interesting rodent facts, research, or pictures you would like to share as a part of #YearoftheRatFacts do get in touch!
The African Crested Rat has hollow wick-like hairs that soak up and ...
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... , Maxime Boulet-Audet, Fritz Vollrath Proc. R. Soc. B 2012 279 675-680; DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.1169. Published 11 January 2012 · Alantha. • 10y ...
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