Oct 13, 2007

Party Trick

Wendy sent me this photo and link of the hooded seal. This arctic pinniped is normally an attractive marine mammal. But they have a neat party trick: they can blow a red balloon out of their nose. I wish, I wish, I wish I could do that.

I'm reminded of the anglerfish here. I wonder if the air bladder is meant to be a lure to would-be prey who like to dine on over-sized kidney beans.

Photo source: BBC

7 comments:

  1. I always wanted to be able to change colors, like a chameleon.

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  2. I think it's sexual bragging. "You think THIS is big? You should see my OTHER..." well, let's leave it at that.

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  3. That's no balloon... it's a nasal cavity!

    IT BLOWS ITS NASAL CAVITY OUT OF ITS NOSTRILS.

    I don't think we're fully grasping the horror of this.

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  4. Man your kids would be proud if you could blow a balloon out of your nose!

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  5. Sheesh. And all I can do is blow Glenlivet out of mine...*

    (Of course, my nostrils look a lot like that afterwards, but I'm usually too busy writhing on the ground in pain to notice!)

    --TwoDragons

    *Yes, this actually happened once. It was the unfortunate train-wreck of a badly-timed joke, my tendency to laugh easily, and a glass of 21-year-old Scotch.

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  6. *ROTF* Denita - I think you are my hero. ;)

    I've seen someone blow up a balloon using one nostril, not quite as cool but still impressive.

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  7. That's the male seal's sexual display in this species, showing off to females but mainly intimidating other males.
    The funny part is when they shake their inflated heads & it makes a 'ga-bonk' sound like a party balloon upside the head ^_^

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