Is it normal to be upset by this?

76% Normal
17 Comments

Well, thanks to taking mycology this semester, I learned something. White nose syndrome affects 6 species of bats in North America and with the way things are going, they will become extinct. It's caused by a fungus that disrupts the breathing usually of the bat and causes it to wake up frequently when it is supposed to be hibernating in the winter. This causes wasted energy for the bat to be looking for food in the winter. Essentially, the bats die of starvation. is it normal to be upset about this? Most focus is on how humans affect the environment but there are other things going on right under our noses...or the bat's noses.

Voting Results
76% Normal
Based on 79 votes (60 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 17 )
  • Frosties
    11 years ago

    Absolutely. Humans aren't to blame for all the problems facing the animal world, although we do more than our fair share to contribute to those problems.

    One of the saddest things I heard was that two hundred years ago, whales could communicate on wavelengths that encircled the earth's oceans. They kind of had their own internet. The rise of shipping interfered with this and eventually deafened them.

    I know it's difficult for some people to care so the analogy is that another species on the planet cuts off all our access to the internet and there's nothing we can do about it. All the people you know by email, everyone whose name you know here, you'll never see or hear from them again and their lives will be lived in a small bubble of their immediate surroundings. That's kind of what we did to whales. Worst thing is, nobody cares.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • dalmationUntoyourSoul
      11 years ago

      damn dude. thanks for that knowledge.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • 1000yrVampireKing
    11 years ago

    So what exactly do you want to do about it?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Garglemysac
    11 years ago

    fuck em, worthless little bastards.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • JustinBiebsFan#1
      11 years ago

      i never read anything the op wrote but her mother is a whore is my guess

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      -1
      -1
        -
      • Garglemysac
        11 years ago

        Obviously

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
  • Corleone
    11 years ago

    Of course! It's normal that you feel sad when a species risks becoming extinct. Especially in your case, since you're obviously passionate about these animals

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • suckonthis9
    11 years ago

    Is there possibly a connection between this and Chytridiomycosis that has caused collapse of populations of many Amphibians?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • Anonymous Post Author
      11 years ago

      It's a different fungus...in this case, the fungus is of the genus Geomyces but the result is the same. Another one is Dutch elm disease...Elms across North America and Europe are set to be wiped out as well.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • suckonthis9
        11 years ago

        Actually, the American elm species become infected in disease cycles, where mature trees become infected and die. They will not be wiped out, but the mature tree populations have been decimated.
        Very similar to Chestnut Blight that decimated the once important American Chestnut, another imported fungal disease.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        0
        0
          -
        • Anonymous Post Author
          11 years ago

          Sorry dude, I just did a presentation on this. You're wrong.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
            -
          • suckonthis9
            11 years ago

            Did your presentation include information on the resistant varieties of both American Elm (Ulmus americana) and American Chestnut (Castanea dentata) that are being developed at various universities?

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
  • Ono
    11 years ago

    If this frightens you then you then wait till you read about all the bee colonies that are collapsing around the world. Without bees, humanity and most animals and many plants will be dead in something like 4 years.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Avant-Garde
    11 years ago

    I think people should be better informed and things should be reformed. It's a shame. Hopefully, they won't die out because like all things they help the ecosystem.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • dalmationUntoyourSoul
    11 years ago

    you must sterilize all gear and clothing with a bleach solution after entering a cave. i lived in a some mountains for a little while and there were several bat caves, one was home to about 450,000. i was worried all summer that they might get white nose, but you don't know until after the winter is over. one of the tourist caves was infected but i think the other ones are alright for now. if you live in an area with caves tell people to clean their clothes before entering another cave. bats have a beautiful life that there is much to learn from them, if we don't kill them all.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • [Old Memory]
      11 years ago

      Is it possible to put up some signs to warn people of the danger? Maybe they wouldn't go into the caves if they knew the harm they are causing.

      I like bats and I think your story about them is really tragic.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • [Old Memory]
    11 years ago

    That is sad. I saw a vid on the net of that golden flying fox, the biggest bat. And damn i've never seen a more frightening creature in my life, they have these epic hook claw thingys and kangaroo heads and are pretty much out of this world monster thingamabobs. Cute, i want one so i can watch it clip clop through my house.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0