New additions to the menagerie

[pavel]

Hey Jules! Long time no see! Everything going well, I hope!

Vinnie's not taking up any of her space, so Peanut is graciously allowing him to set up shop. His tail is actually quite flexible though more like a willow switch than a true whip. No stinger capabiliities. The tail, as I understand it, is used to fling droplets of an acetic acid (vinegar) compound at any potential predators. He does have claws (what one of my students referred to as 'boxing gloves') but the actual pinchers are no where near the size or strength of a scorps. All in all a rather harmless critter. From what I've read, they seem to have very few natural predators -- might be do to the vinegar.

Pavel and Peanut

[Piper]

Hey there back, Pavel, Peanut, Vinnie, and cute snake! and all other critters overlooked in my haste...

Wow, what a crazy creature. I read up on vinagroons after your post. I read that the acetic acid can be toxic for exoskeletons. It would be a cool experiment to grab an exoskele after a molt and place it in a vinegar solotion the same acidic level as Vinnie's spray. pH should be easy enough to measure.

I read that Vinnie's spray is also a small percent octonic acid (aka caprylric acid) which is oily, but not necessarily toxic. I wonder if that gives the acetic acid more sticking power.

All is well with me, thanks, Pavel! Lots of new book progress, but while it consumes my days, the forward milestones seem to come soooooo slooowly. I'll make a book progress post in the next few days.

Today was eaten up with a funeral I had to pipe. Spent the afternoon with the family afterwards. Sad times, but if my presence offers comfort, it's hard to leave.

But, I'm very glad to hear the dragoness doesn't mind her new neighbors. Please be sure to tell her that even with ketchup, I taste pretty awful!

McVeryAfraid