4 ms·

I see a real benefit to the beetle, if it can get out. But I'm wondering, is there any benefit to the frog from consuming this type of "fiber"?

• bentobean 3y ago
  Interesting. Free colon cleanse. Now we just need to find the beetle species that can perform the same feat in humans.
  • beeforpork 3y ago
    Maybe the same beetle would work. Has anyone tried?
    • throwanem 3y ago
      A human has a much longer gut.
      • chongli 3y ago
        Sure though the deadliest part, the stomach, is not that long.
        • throwanem 3y ago
          Granted, but I'm thinking more about how long the beetle can survive without access to air.
          • UnFleshedOne 3y ago
            That's an aquatic beetle, a lot of those store their own air supply under their wings...
            • throwanem 3y ago
              Oh, I didn't know that! I can't get to the citation, but per Wikipedia [1] Hydrophilidae, the family in which this beetle is classified, do have that capability. Whether even with an air bubble they can hold out long enough is a separate question, as is whether their also-mentioned ability to extract usable oxygen from ambient water would be helpful in this environment - but being able to carry air under their elytra would certainly improve their odds. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrophilidae https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrophilidae
  • ralgozino 3y ago
    I guess you've never eaten boiled corn grains
• jkubicek 3y ago
  Have you ever had an itch that you just can't reach?