Evil Mustachio

there are apparently a lot of mushrooms that are poisonous to some people and edible for others. unlike food allergies, it’s not an allergic immune reaction, it’s mushroom poisoning but only for some people

nobody ever believes me when I list off all of the ways that humans are significantly less sexually dimorphic than people seem to believe and it drives me batshit insane. “you’re denying the biological reality of sex” well you’re sticking your fingers in your ears and saying lalalala every time anyone presents you with data that confirms that women and men aren’t really that different. and refusing to come to terms with the two-way relationship between the “biological” and “social” worlds. I think one of us is ignoring the biological sciences here and it isn’t me

Not that it detracts from the point at all, but the bit in the second post about orangutans is only partially true; they effectively have 3 sexes: females, flanged males (which were the ones described), and unflanged males. Unflanged males lack the "jowls" (flanges (crazy how that works)) and neck sacs and are only marginally bigger than females. All males are at one point unflanged, but they may or may not be able to become flanged due to a mixture of environmental and genetic factors, with it only depending on age insofar as it cannot happen until after they're sexually mature (meaning it is distinct from, though dependent on, sexual maturity; a male can be unflanged and sexually mature). (Sexually mature) unflanged males also behave completely differently from flanged ones (or females or juvenile males for that matter). Also let me emphasize again, SOME unflanged males are GENETICALLY capable of becoming flanged; some just Aren't, so it's like Kind Of a development thing Sometimes but not really. Just wanted to yap about this because I saw something related that was technically wrong and felt the need to correct it because I'm a pedant, and also it gave me an excuse to talk about sexual dimorphism in orangutans and how it's super weird and super interesting. :)

THIS IS THE HARDEST I HAVE LAUGHED IN SO LONG YOU HAVE CURED MY DEPRESSION

This is one of the greatest posts I’ve ever witnessed. The payoff was amazing.

My roommate heard it going and went “OH MY GOD is it EVER going to resolve?” then the payoff hit and she busted up laughing

There’s no what

theres no squirrels in australia???

Aussie here, I DIDN'T KNOW SQUIRRELS WERE ACTUALLY REAL FOR THE FIRST EIGHT YEARS OF MY LIFE NO JOKE I THOUGHT THEY WERE A MYTHICAL ANIMAL LIKE UNICORNS

WHAT??

Also kids are far less likely to be confused by something the younger they learn about it. Kiddo had queer people in his life and casual references to queerness before he could even talk. It was never confusing for him. It was normal.

Squirrels were an invasive species to Australia but they never managed to gain a foothold and were eradicated within a few years of their arrival.

They look so happy <33 The loss of their whimsy and spark was one of the things I was sad about after.. that. :(