My imagination is going crazy trying to conceive how it got there!
When I was a kid there was a guy we all called “The Mole Man” because he would set traps and catch moles for people and never charged anything but cold water to drink. The moles got used for research of some sort, and the fur went for things like mole-fur ear muffs.
I’ve been working some on that because ground moss species are incredibly useful in dune conservation work: if you can get a field of the right ground moss going, it does two very useful things: inhibits invasive species, and nurtures native seeds. There was a clearing out in the dune pine forest that slowly got covered in ground moss, and when it got completely covered and the moss had built up a layer 2 - 3 inches thick pine seedlings and other native woody plants practically exploded; what had been a nice sunny resting spot along a hiking trail became so thick with foliage the trail was blocked.
I found a short article claiming that even female moles have male-like genitals that produce high levels of testosterone. The territorial subterranean life is so demanding that the females need extra aggressivity to cope. For that, they need high levels of testosterone, so for most of the year, they look and behave like males. For example, they have no external vagina.
When the mating season starts, testosterone levels drop and an external vagina is formed. That is when they may accept a male - if the male is lucky.
Wow, talk about a crossover trial of the adaptive effect of hormones and sexual dimorphism!
Thinking about how males even among humans struggle with processing emotions and interactions, to the point of a higher incarceration rate, it makes me wonder how much we are affected in reality.
A vet who lives near here says, “You take the balls off, you get the brains back”…about farm animals.
I’m not so sure that totally holds true. At the risk of sharing a bit more than some may be comfortable with, part of the treatment of my prostate cancer has been taking a combination of drugs that stop testosterone formation and blocking what little testosterone is left, leaving me with a testosterone level of functionally 0 for the less 6-8 months. (women typically have a level of 20-80 depending on life stage, and men 300-500 roughly). It has made me more stupid, in general, as well as depressed and fatigued. So, what is valued behaviour in a steer and what is valued in a person may differ. Perspective is everything.
Nope, but I forgot to put a after my post so may have come across as a little gruff rather my intended sardonic wit, for which I apologize. What with the hot flashes as well, when people ask how I am doing, I usually say not bad for a menopausal eunuch. You have to laugh a bit, helps keep the sorrow pushed back. Hopefully can stop the blockers and get a little more energy soon. But your post did make me realize that the qualities I have problems with would be good for livestock if you were are rancher.
Lupron is awful. As a female my experience with the suddon hormone loss was much worse than menopause. Fortunately, when the treatment was done, I eventually felt like myself again. I hope you’re done with it soon!
I will look some more on Amazon. Mine is no particular.brand and part of a set. Of the set, the “macro” (10x) is what I use the most. I saw somw yesterday when i was looking that were more powerful and not expensive. I will try to get you a list soon.
Hmmm … I’m not sure I’ll want to get another iPhone. Sure wish there was something simpler to use. Seems like I can’t take it out of my shirt pocket without calling or FaceTiming somebody I hadn’t intended to. But certainly alluring to think of having those gizmos built in - providing I can access and figure them out. More choices!
Oh, man–I am the Mennonite or Amish of my office. I would prefer a flip phone, but I have to use a “smart” Android so as to get confidential information with password protect. I agree that I don’t do well with complicated additions!
