What determined the ability of grasshopper hamsters to hunt poisonous scorpions? Detailed answer

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What determined the ability of grasshopper hamsters to hunt poisonous scorpions? Detailed answer

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What determined the ability of grasshopper hamsters to hunt poisonous scorpions?

Grasshopper hamsters living in the USA are known for their ability to prey on poisonous scorpions. The researchers tested the mechanism of action of the poison on the pain-sensitive cells of these hamsters and normal mice. It turned out that in hamsters, these cells have an excellent structure of ion channels and are not activated, but blocked by poison. Moreover, after a scorpion bite, the hamster generally ceases to feel any pain. Presumably, the development of this ability was preceded by only one mutation, which made the previously unapproachable scorpions a good source of food for these rodents.

Authors: Jimmy Wales, Larry Sanger

Random interesting fact from the Great Encyclopedia:

How does a chameleon change its colors?

Has nature endowed the chameleon with the ability to automatically change its color from bright green to gray-black or yellow, depending on the surface on which it is located?

Oddly enough, the color does not depend on the environment! The chameleon just doesn't pay any attention to it.

The skin of the animal is transparent. Below it are black, red and yellow cells. When they contract or expand, it seems that the chameleon changes its color.

But what makes these cells work? When an animal is angry or afraid, its nervous system sends signals to these cells. Rage causes a dark color, excitement or fear - pale shades and yellow spots.

Sunlight also affects the color of the chameleon. The hot sun makes the cells dark or even black. Heat without sunlight causes a green color, and in the dark, the chameleon becomes creamy with yellow spots.

As you can see, factors such as emotions, temperature, light, and not the environment at all, cause the animal's nervous system to change the state of colored cells.

But these color changes help the chameleon to hide from its enemies, such as snakes and birds. And since the animal moves very slowly, this is a necessary type of protection in order to save its life.

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