c/science_memes · by fossilesque@mander.xyz · 168d

Pass me some

349 points · 26 comments · view on lemmy.world

26 Comments

nocturne@slrpnk.net · 53 pts · 168d (3 replies)

https://www.discoverwildlife.com/tv/lemurs-licking-millipedes-bbc

They are chewing the millipedes, and then rubbing the saliva and millipede into their fur to act as an insecticide against malaria carrying mosquitoes.

However, this produces an unexpected side effect – the chemicals appear to send them into a “trancelike state” and a “condition of complete intoxication”.

GreenShimada@lemmy.world · 25 pts · 168d (2 replies)

To be fair, the anti-malarial drug Meflaquine/Larium does the same thing to people a bit after you take it.

icelimit@lemmy.ml · 5 pts · 167d (1 reply)

So we can just chew millipedes and skip big pharma?

GreenShimada@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 167d

I'm not stopping you.

notabot@piefed.social · 36 pts · 168d (4 replies)

I'm curious about the assertion that this is 'to protect themselves from malaria carrying mosquitoes'. How do the scientists know this is the motivation, rather than a helpful side-effect?

Korval@lemmy.today · 23 pts · 168d (1 reply)

Not too mention the implication that lemurs know what malaria is. What else have these scientists been hiding from us???

5715@feddit.org · 9 pts · 168d

They don't have to know it, they just have to lick it

chunes@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 167d (1 reply)

ikr I was starting to feel pretty stupid for not coming up with my own vaccines

notabot@piefed.social · 5 pts · 167d

Have you tried licking random millipedes to see what happens?

GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 25 pts · 168d (2 replies)

Doped Up Lemurs is kinda a great band name.

JasonDJ@lemmy.zip · 18 pts · 168d (1 reply)