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The platypus — designed by committee, and highly toxic

Leon — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 04:32:04 +0000

They say that the platypus is proof that God has a sense a human. Possessing the unlikely combination of a duck’s bill, beaver’s tail, and otter’s foot, the animal was thought to be a hoax when the initial pictures came back to Europe from Australia. The platypus also reproduces by laying eggs, and is one of the very few poisonous mammals.

Nature News reported this week that platypus venom — delivered via sharp spurs on the hind foot — consists of more than 80 individual toxins. This produced only by males and only during platypus mating season. Some of the specific toxins are similar to those of snakes and black widow spiders. The venom is not generally lethal to humans, but can cause intense pain with prolonged symptoms.

The platypus makes a memorable appearance in Tom Lehrer’s song Oedipus Rex:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9BMcA8-4zo

It’s a Long Way from Amphioxus

Leon — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 17:04:23 +0000

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KAkNCyxHe8

It ain’t tox, but one of my two favorite songs based on a scientific theme is the classic — and difficult to find — “It’s a Long Way from Amphioxus” by the late folksinger and marine biologist Sam Hinton. Anyone who has not heard this song before — and has even a dim recollection of high school or college biology — is in for a treat. For those singing along at home, the lyrics can be found here.

BTW, my other favorite scientific-themed song is Tom Lehrer’s “The Elements“.

Happy Birthday Tom Lehrer!

Leon — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:58:37 +0000

Back in his youth, TPR thought that the songs of Tom Lehrer were the funniest things he had ever heard. Lehrer, whose real career was as a Professor of Mathematics at Harvard and UC-Santa Cruz, turns 82 today. We wish him a happy brithday!

Here is one of his best known songs, The Elements, which traverses the entire periodic table in the jaw-breaking time of a minute and a half. As you listen, see how many toxins you can identify: