November 17, 2006: Ordinary folks visit dolphins
 

http://cellar.org/2006/dolphinwalking.jpg

The official cap:Apparently they get to punch them, if you believe the photo. No, this is a fine idea, I'm all in favor of it. Get up close and personal with 'em!

http://cellar.org/2006/catsndogs.jpg

Now, in a rare double Friday IotD, this news item is going around. I didn't want to make it a lone IotD.

This (xoB/WaPo) shot is allegedly of a cat who was impregnated by a dog and has now had dog-like kittens. People are investigating the claim, but I am already willing to put any amount of money on the side that this is a hoax.

Sometimes the news people just enjoy putting out a totally crap story without any kind of basis. Or maybe the news folks don't understand it either. Biology ensures that there is no way that a dog and cat can successfully bring about a litter of puttens (or kippies).

I may get things wrong from time to time - and I always need your help to figure out where I have blown it - so this is a chance to say, no effing way, people, think about it for a moment.

I just had the greatest idea! I'll make pot-bellied elephants!
http://www.decarbonated.org/cellar/elefant.gif

Really though, this would have been a great IotD to feature the Wolphin that was recently born :)

...and then there was the dolphin with vestigal rear fins recently caught off Japan.

I'm gonna say you are absolutely 100% right. They are too far from being on the same evolutionary branch. No brainer.

Well, whales have vestigial knee joints, which makes you wonder why God went to such lengths to trick scientists.

Oh yeah? Well, you just tell that to my pet Fluffy McFido. Sheesh

If people are making new animals, can I have miniature amphibious pigs please?

I could have a bowl of them on my desk at work - like terrapins. When I'm bored I can race them, and when I'm hungry I can microwave them and eat them whole. Mmmmmmmmm, crunch the little pig-snacks.....

If anyone actually creates these I get royalties, right?

:p

Apparently, UT has never heard of CatDog.


(this would have been funnier if I only knew how to make a link to an actual picture of the cartoon character CatDog. On Nickelodean.)

How does cat dog pooh? :whofart:

I agree, this is biologically impossible. I was a biology major (now a doctor) and this just doesn't happen. The closest to interspecies breeding is the horse & donkey making a mule. But even the horse & donkey are closer phenotypically than, say, a bull mastiff and chihuahua (which makes you wonder if donkeys are really not a distinct species but rather the chihuahuas of horses!).

As for the "vestigial" things, I am constantly amazed at things that seem to be holdovers from a more primitive stage of evolution but are later found to have a purpose after all (though admittedly difficult to determine empirically). The appendix (main center of vitamin K synthesis) and tonsils (regional immune defense and offering some protection against gastroenteritis), for example, in our own bodies. My take is that God did create all species, but he used similar motifs in the design of each species. We do the same thing when we design things--look at how similar general computer design is (no matter the application or time when it was designed), or for another example, things powered by internal combustion engines (cars, airplanes, motorcycles). They all have a similar plan but different variations given the individual application. Just a thought and not intended to preach...

I know too much about dolphins to think of them a cute. Ladies, watch yourself while swimming in the Mediterranean, whew.

So....what would the dolphins do to a 'Lady' in the Mediterranean? Maybe make a new species? Humaphin?

They try. Sometimes succeed in their attempt at trying, without consent.
They also rape their own.
One of the few animals that practice war & kill for fun.