SIDELINES...

ANIMAL HOSPITAL

An escaped cow ran inside a Colombian hospital’s waiting room where it began attacking patients, knocking over furniture and generally creating panic. Eventually, two men managed to grab the enraged bovine’s collar and began pulling it away, but not before it attempted to charge an injured woman trapped on the floor. As the cow left the hospital, a group of people clapped and whistled at it. Nobody was seriously injured, but two motorcycles and some chairs were damaged. The animal’s owner later visited the hospital to apologise for its behaviour. metro.co.uk, 15 Feb 2021.

SPIT AND STONES

A new study suggests that snakes may have developed venom to defend themselves against humans, and first employed it as defence rather than attack. Researchers found that spitting cobras initially project venom from their fangs to keep potential predators at bay, and not to kill prey. Snake venom can travel up to 8ft (2.5 metres), and scientists believe this ability evolved in response to human attacks and the need for a longdistance defence. Bipedal humans with both hands free were literally able to throw the first stone. D.Telegraph, 22 Jan 2021.

TINY TERRORS

A team of palæontologists have discovered that baby tyrannosaurs could hunt directly after hatching. The reptiles emerged from their eggs about 3ft (1m) long and, because of their size and powerful jaws, were able to predate on lizards, frogs and small mammals immediately. D.Telegraph, 26 Jan 2021.