TOUCHING A TOAD WON’T REALLY GIVE YOU WARTS
BioPark Zoo workers dispel common myths about animals
Docents throughout the ABQ BioPark Zoo debunk some of the more common myths about animals.
Everyone knows that Punxsutawney Phil, the Pennsylvania groundhog, really doesn’t know his shadow from his hole in the ground.
His ability to predict weather is a myth. But there are many more myths in the animal world that sound like they could be true.
On Friday, docents throughout the ABQ BioPark Zoo, set up stations and debunked some of the more common myths.
Ground rhinoceros horn is an effective cure-all medicine. Myth. Even though China and many other Asian countries use it in their folk remedies, there is no scientific evidence it is effective. The University of Hong Kong, however, did find that “large doses of rhino horn extract could slightly lower fever — in laboratory rats,” said docent Charlotte Cooper.
If you handle a toad, you will get warts. This myth started ages ago because the skins of toads are covered in small bumps that seem to resemble the warts that people who may have picked up toads sometimes find on their hands and fingers, said docent Georgianne Huff.
Rattlesnakes shake their rattles before they strike. Myth, said Patricia Rogers. Rattlesnakes shake their rattles when they sense danger is approaching and want to send the message, “stay away.” Sometimes
they rattle before striking, but often times they do not. So, if you see one of these reptiles and are listening for the rattle as a sign you’re too close, you may already be too close.
Parrots “talk.” Yes and no, said Candy Dunlap. When born in their natural habitat “they make the same kinds of noises that all the other birds in their flock make.” When domesticated as pets by people who talk to them, parrots learn to imitate and repeat human speech.
Bats are blind. This myth no doubt arose from the seemingly random way they wing about. Bats emit a sound, and using “echolocation,” a type of sonar, they can “hear” where things are in the distance, Dunlap said. In addition, many types of bats have pretty good sight, so being blind as a bat does not accurately describe them.
Polar bears hibernate. Nope. Myth. Pregnant females build dens during the colder winter months, give birth and remain in the den with their cubs for months. But they do not hibernate in the sense of a continuous, protracted sleep cycle, said docent Nancy Mikkelsen.
Hyenas laugh. Another myth. They vocalize sounds that to the human ear sounds like laughing but is really their way of calling to each other and expressing excitement or danger, said Roger Koehler.
Elephants never forget and they are afraid of mice. True and false, said Judith Kitzes. Elephants have a highly developed brain and sense of smell. They can travel hundreds of miles each year, remembering food sources from past treks. However, they are not afraid of nor have any interest in mice.
If you kiss a frog, it will turn into a prince. Absolutely true. Of course, you may have to kiss a lot of frogs until you find your prince.