Animals are Magical

[rgray222]

Man's Best Mop

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by rgray222 (here)
Man's Best Mop

That's so great.

(Mod note: That was a .webm video, btw, which my Firefox browser would not play. I converted it to MP4 and uploaded it to the Avalon server. Here it is

https://avalonlibrary.net/Bill/Man's_best_mop.mp4


I encountered a little dog EXACTLY like that many years ago when I was trekking in Ladakh, politically in India but geographically on the Tibetan plateau. The locals there had Tibetan Terriers, which looked like this:



One of them joined us on one of our mountain hikes. I swear, its hair was so long, dirty and unkempt that when it was lying down I could NOT tell which was its head or tail, until it got up and started moving.

[grapevine]

Rescued kitten abused by previous owners - foster mother knows just what to do

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=IcICQO7t3uA

[onawah]

Dancing Elephant has Rhythm
(It takes a minute to download FB Reels)

**************

Dogs with Dreadlocks
(These breeds must keep dog groomers busy...)

"6 Dog Breeds with Dreadlocks and How That Even Works
No, that’s not a walking mop with a tongue—it’s a lovable achievement in fur-engineering!
A mere handful of dog breeds are graced with vivacious dreadlocks. Some come by it naturally—like the Komondor, puli, and Bergamesco. Others—the poodle, Spanish water dog, and Havanese—can only achieve this look with a little help from their human friends. But whether it’s functional or aesthetic, this coif is certainly eye-catching. And before we go any further, we must stress that the proper terms for dog dreadlocks are cords, flocks, and mats."





More here: https://www.rover.com/blog/dog-breeds-with-dreadlocks/

[rgray222]

I believe this video to be authentic, but I have no idea how they shot it from such a unique position.

Summer Community Swimming Pool for Penguins

[RunningDeer]

An oldie, but goodie.

The Penguin Dilemma

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Q9c8FJ19yVE

[onawah]

Drunk Elephants in The Road
Cute Tings
177K subscribers
Jan 17, 2025

(Something you don't see every day.
One of the comments explains it:

@normmcrae1140
6 months ago
Elephants get drunk on the alcohol that's contained in over-ripe Marula fruits - which is one of their staple foods. The fruits can have an alcohol content similar to some Pale Ales, and elephants eat MASSIVE amounts of them. Combined with the fact that their bodies can't metabolize that alcohol very well (Humans do it 40 TIMES better than most animals!), and getting them drunk isn't a hard thing to do!
I just can't imagine that an ELEPHANT-sized Hangover would be a pleasant thing to experience! 🤣

"These elephants might not actually be drunk, but their hilarious behaviour sure makes it seem like they are! Stumbling around, playfully bumping into each other, and acting a bit clumsy, they gave everyone quite a show in the middle of the road."
Michael Botes from MalaMala Game Reserve

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=h5pQyGX0sho

[Johnnycomelately]

Rabies in Cape Fur Seals, western South Africa.

Title is clickbait, but the danger is real.


Edit: I’ve posted this here, not as satire of the thread title, but to show a fairly new danger to both the seals and to other animals as well as people.


If This Bites You, You’re Already Dead ☠️

IdkSterling

3.17M subscribers

August 31, 2025

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ef9YjrFJ2SA

Here is a print article covering the broader story of the above vid:

https://www.mosselbayadvertiser.com/...r-202407180231


Here is a report from the Western Cape Dept of Agriculture, last updated August 2024:

https://www.elsenburg.com/wp-content...reness-FAQ.pdf

RABIES IN SEALS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Several Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) have tested positive for rabies in the Western Cape in
June 2024. While this is an emerging situation, we wish to share the following answers to frequently
asked questions.

Please also consult the frequently asked questions about rabies in general at https://www.elsenburg.
com/western-cape/frequently-asked-questions/faq-rabies-awareness/

1. How was the seal rabies discovered?

In May 2024, a dog with rabies in Cape Town was reported to the state veterinarian. The owner
suspected it had been bitten by a seal, so samples were taken from aggressive seals reported in
that week and sent for rabies testing. When they tested positive, this triggered the testing of seal
samples that had been taken and stored by Sea Search, an independent research organisation,
since 2022.

2. How long have seals had rabies?

The earliest positive case that has been identified so far is from August 2022 in Cape Town. It is
likely that the outbreak started before this.

3. How did seals get rabies?

Preliminary virus sequencing results show that the seal rabies viruses are most closely related to
rabies viruses from other wildlife species in southern Africa. It therefore seems most likely that
the outbreak started by a seal being bitten by another rabid wild animal, such as a jackal, on the
coast.

4. Where do seals have rabies?

Seals can travel long distances along the coast, so given the geographic spread of rabies cases
that we have already seen, it is reasonable to assume that there is a risk of rabies wherever
seals occur. In the Western Cape as of end July 2024, seals with rabies have been confirmed
along the coast in several locations between Yzerfontein and Plettenberg Bay. However, Cape
fur seals breed all along the coast of southern Africa between southern Angola and Algoa Bay
(Gqeberha).

5. What should I do if I see an aggressive seal?

Do not approach the seal. Keep people and animals away from it as far as possible and contact
your local state veterinary office to respond.

6. What should I do if I am attacked by a seal?

Get to safety as quickly as possible. If you have a wound or scratch, wash it very thoroughly
with soap and water. Then go immediately to your nearest clinic or doctor and tell them that
you suspect you have been in contact with a rabid animal. Do not wait; the sooner you receive

.
.
.

Thru point 9., pdf wouldn’t let me copy page 2/2.

[RunningDeer]

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)
Rabies in Cape Fur Seals, western South Africa.

Here is a print article covering the broader story of the above vid:

Thru point 9., pdf wouldn’t let me copy page 2/2.

UPDATE: I copied the wrong list but will leave it. The rest of Johnny's list is here.

Johnny, there was no #9 that I could find.

• pdf - FAQ - RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL

1. What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus. It infects the brain and causes confusion, seizures, muscle paralysis and death in 100% of cases.

2. Which animals can have rabies?

In South Africa, rabies is maintained in some populations of domestic dogs, as well as certain species of wildlife in certain areas, including bat-eared foxes, jackals, yellow mongooses and aardwolves. An infected animal can infect another species of animal through a bite, lick or scratch.

3. How do you know if an animal has rabies?

An animal with rabies will often show a sudden, unexplained change in behaviour. Domestic animals can become suddenly aggressive or appear confused, while wild animals lose their fear of people, approaching them and sometimes attacking. Other signs include excess salivation, struggling to swallow, twitching, weakness, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Infected animals will die within 2-10 days of first showing signs of disease.

4. Where does Rabies occur in South Africa?

Rabies occurs all over South Africa, but it is maintained in different animal populations in different areas. There are currently domestic dog cycles causing outbreaks in large parts of the Eastern Cape and coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Dog rabies is also present to a lesser degree in some parts of eastern Mpumalanga and Limpopo. In the Western Cape bat-eared foxes are the main host, but we see rabies in other wildlife species from time to time as well. Jackals are the main wildlife host of rabies in the northern parts of South Africa and yellow mongooses in the central
parts.

5. How does rabies affect people?

People can be infected with rabies by a rabid animal biting, licking or scratching them. The virus then moves along the nerves to the brain, taking anywhere between a week and a year. Once the virus reaches the brain and begins to replicate, symptoms of the disease start to show and an affected person will die. There is no treatment for rabies, only prevention.

6. How can we prevent rabies?

Rabies is very easy to prevent by vaccinating domestic dogs and cats. Your pet should be vaccinated by a vet when they are three months old, again at a year of age and then every 1-3 years depending on the rabies risk in the area. In humans 99% of rabies cases are caused by rabid dogs, so vaccinating pets is the best way to prevent human rabies too. People who have been in contact with a rabid animal can receive medical treatment that will prevent them from developing the disease if they act quickly.

7. What should you do if you suspect your pet has rabies?

Prevent contact between the suspect animal and any other animals or people. Then contact your private vet, state vet or animal welfare clinic immediately. State vet contact details are available at Animal Health and Disease and Control.

8. What should you do if you think you have been in contact with a rabid animal?

If you have a wound or scratch, wash it very thoroughly with soap and water. Then go immediately to your nearest clinic or doctor and tell them that you suspect you have been in contact with a rabid animal. Do not wait; the sooner you receive treatment, the higher the chance that you will not develop rabies. Once symptoms of rabies show, it is too late.

• Contacts listed at the bottom of pdf.

[Johnnycomelately]

Different list, including point titles and point texts. Dunno.

Posted by RunningDeer (here)

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)
Rabies in Cape Fur Seals, western South Africa.

Here is a print article covering the broader story of the above vid:

Thru point 9., pdf wouldn’t let me copy page 2/2.

Johnny, there was no #9 that I could find.

• pdf - FAQ - RABIES PREVENTION AND CONTROL

1. What is rabies?

Rabies is a disease caused by a virus. It infects the brain and causes confusion, seizures, muscle paralysis and death in 100% of cases.

2. Which animals can have rabies?

In South Africa, rabies is maintained in some populations of domestic dogs, as well as certain species of wildlife in certain areas, including bat-eared foxes, jackals, yellow mongooses and aardwolves. An infected animal can infect another species of animal through a bite, lick or scratch.

3. How do you know if an animal has rabies?

An animal with rabies will often show a sudden, unexplained change in behaviour. Domestic animals can become suddenly aggressive or appear confused, while wild animals lose their fear of people, approaching them and sometimes attacking. Other signs include excess salivation, struggling to swallow, twitching, weakness, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. Infected animals will die within 2-10 days of first showing signs of disease.

4. Where does Rabies occur in South Africa?

Rabies occurs all over South Africa, but it is maintained in different animal populations in different areas. There are currently domestic dog cycles causing outbreaks in large parts of the Eastern Cape and coastal areas of KwaZulu-Natal. Dog rabies is also present to a lesser degree in some parts of eastern Mpumalanga and Limpopo. In the Western Cape bat-eared foxes are the main host, but we see rabies in other wildlife species from time to time as well. Jackals are the main wildlife host of rabies in the northern parts of South Africa and yellow mongooses in the central
parts.

5. How does rabies affect people?

People can be infected with rabies by a rabid animal biting, licking or scratching them. The virus then moves along the nerves to the brain, taking anywhere between a week and a year. Once the virus reaches the brain and begins to replicate, symptoms of the disease start to show and an affected person will die. There is no treatment for rabies, only prevention.

6. How can we prevent rabies?

Rabies is very easy to prevent by vaccinating domestic dogs and cats. Your pet should be vaccinated by a vet when they are three months old, again at a year of age and then every 1-3 years depending on the rabies risk in the area. In humans 99% of rabies cases are caused by rabid dogs, so vaccinating pets is the best way to prevent human rabies too. People who have been in contact with a rabid animal can receive medical treatment that will prevent them from developing the disease if they act quickly.

7. What should you do if you suspect your pet has rabies?

Prevent contact between the suspect animal and any other animals or people. Then contact your private vet, state vet or animal welfare clinic immediately. State vet contact details are available at Animal Health and Disease and Control.

8. What should you do if you think you have been in contact with a rabid animal?

If you have a wound or scratch, wash it very thoroughly with soap and water. Then go immediately to your nearest clinic or doctor and tell them that you suspect you have been in contact with a rabid animal. Do not wait; the sooner you receive treatment, the higher the chance that you will not develop rabies. Once symptoms of rabies show, it is too late.

• Contacts listed at the bottom of pdf.

[RunningDeer]

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)
Different list, including point titles and point texts. Dunno.

Sorry, Johnny.
Here’s the continuation of your list:

pdf - RABIES IN SEALS

7. What should I do if I was bitten by a seal in the past year?

Consult your doctor or health facility regarding whether you should receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

8. What should I do if my pet was bitten by a seal in the past year?

Contact your local state veterinarian for further advice.

9. How can I protect myself and my community from rabies?

If you suspect that an animal has rabies, report it immediately to your local state veterinarian so that it can be responded to quickly. Make sure that all of your dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies and that their vaccinations are kept up to date. This is required by South African law.

Those working with seals on a frequent basis are advised to consult their health care practitioner about receiving pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.

• Contacts are listed at the bottom of pdf.

[Johnnycomelately]

Thanks, Paula. Webland has been more mysterious to me since a few months now, so any oddity like this doesn’t surprise me.

I internet on 2 devices, an old iPad out of updates, and a new one. Old one I use for vids, bluetoothed to headphones, and new one is mainly for concurrent reading.

Old one, on YouTube vids, started up with subbing/swapping actual voice audio for some other language, obviously AI because sped up to superhuman pace at times. This was only on desktop-mode, which has access to the YT subbed new vids list. For a while I relied on upping another (unrelated) YT tab to desktop, so the original/object tab went mobile. Then that stopped working.

Current workaround is to find vids (YT bell list or anything) on the new device, and email them to my cloud-linked common own address. Those links load as mobile, problem solved. So far, anyways. Makes for a differently structured day tho.

I’ve wondered who to ask about this bizarre problem, haven’t had any ideas worth commitment yet.

I’m wondering if using a VPN might fix this.

Posted by RunningDeer (here)

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)
Different list, including point titles and point texts. Dunno.

Sorry, Johnny.
Here’s the continuation of your list:

pdf - RABIES IN SEALS

7. What should I do if I was bitten by a seal in the past year?

Consult your doctor or health facility regarding whether you should receive rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

8. What should I do if my pet was bitten by a seal in the past year?

Contact your local state veterinarian for further advice.

9. How can I protect myself and my community from rabies?

If you suspect that an animal has rabies, report it immediately to your local state veterinarian so that it can be responded to quickly. Make sure that all of your dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies and that their vaccinations are kept up to date. This is required by South African law.

Those working with seals on a frequent basis are advised to consult their health care practitioner about receiving pre-exposure rabies vaccinations.

• Contacts are listed at the bottom of pdf.

[RunningDeer]

Posted by Johnnycomelately (here)
I’ve wondered who to ask about this bizarre problem, haven’t had any ideas worth commitment yet.

I can’t help you with that problem. I only use a MacBook to post because it’s too much of a hassle with the iPad, and I’m all thumbs on a cell phone. The best I can do is direct you to the “Sandbox thread: OK to practice posting here”. You can drop your question there.

I find switching from the Safari to Foxfire solves some of my posting problems. One example is when adding timestamps that create active links. I have to switch between the browsers.

[RunningDeer]

One Minute Translation Compilations:

Penguin Meets Beluga Whale For The First Time

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=6m_T6YNTY6I

Little Bit Closer Please Karen... Little Bit Closer.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=7OU86S_jRh8

I haven't got a gun, I'm a raccoon

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=1bfY5E3HCWs

Raccoons steal a doormat

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=tSz9GgBCl5k

[rgray222]

Cloudy with a Chance of Arachnids? 'Spider Rain' Explained

Millions of tiny spiders recently fell from the sky in Australia, alarming residents whose properties were suddenly covered with not only the creepy critters, but also mounds of their silky threads. But that's not where the frightful news ends: Experts say that such arachnid rains aren't as uncommon as you might think.

This month's spider downpour in the country's Southern Tablelands region is just the most recent example of a phenomenon commonly known as "spider rain" or, in some circles, "angel hair," because of the silky, hairlike threads the spiders leave behind. Ian Watson, who lives in the region affected by the spooky shower, took to Facebook to describe what this strange "weather" looks like, according to the Goulburn Post.

"Anyone else experiencing this "Angel Hair" or maybe aka millions of spiders falling from the sky right now? I'm 10 minutes out of town, and you can clearly see hundreds of little spiders floating along with their webs and my home is covered in them. Someone call a scientist!” Watson wrote on the Goulburn Community Forum Facebook page. [Fishy Rain to Fire Whirlwinds: The World's Weirdest Weather]

https://www.livescience.com/50856-sp...explained.html

[rgray222]

Having a sincere desire to do good for its own sake, especially when no one is watching, tells me that this guy truly understands life.

[RunningDeer]

Animals Reunited With Owners After Years

The bond between a person and their beloved pet is not just emotional—it’s soul-deep. Every Animal reunion tells a story of unwavering loyalty, of waiting, of hope. These beautiful moments remind us that time and distance mean nothing when love remains. Whether it’s a joyful bark, a happy tail, or a tearful hug, each Animal reunion brings warmth that words can’t describe.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=sYhMnTvfqQ4

[rgray222]

Courtship Dance of The Red Capped Manakin - Bird Moonwalks to Impress the Ladies

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=o42C6ajjqWg

[Ravenlocke]

About Emperor penguins,

Caption this!
Have you ever seen an Emperor penguin before? 🐧

https://x.com/MbarkCherguia/status/1957845411906875807

Waddling together in Antarctica! 🐧 Emperor penguin chicks form a group called a crèche to stay safe and warm while their parents are off fishing. Sometimes, younger penguins or other non-breeding adults will even stand guard.

#Nature #Wildlife

https://x.com/MbarkCherguia/status/1959178009509847270

Emperor penguin chicks take their first swim leaping from a 50 foot cliff.

https://x.com/interesting_aIl/status...57617623319034

Participant of the third Soviet Antarctic expedition biologist V. Makushok with one of the emperor penguins he raised, 1959 (photo by V. Bogomolov)

https://x.com/PicturesUssr/status/1799389155140710544

[Ravenlocke]

😁😁😁

Rare, gorgeous photos from the first Australian expedition to Antarctica, 1911-1914 http://buff.ly/1qOW2Fn

https://x.com/themarginalian/status/523496493660258304