Land Down Under

A Very Academic Post

This one's just to prove that I'm learning things of great value.

Antichinus is a small marsupial, about the size of and looks like a mouse. Male testosterone levels are extremely high prior to and during the breeding season, and they spend all their time fighting off competitors....to the point where they even forget to feed. Then once they've asserted their territory, they breed as much and as often as they can. Then all the males (yes, every single one) die from stress-related conditions from having too much sex. True story. Male antichinus only live for a year, and when they've all died, the only males in the whole species are the ones who were just conceived and are in the females' pouches.



I finished my social work paper Monday morning at 5:30AM, in true Christina-fashion. I've turned nocturnal, because now I've spent the past two days catching naps in between every class, and been up most of the night. I'll break that pattern tonight though hopefully, because I can sleep in as long as I want tomorrow. Actually tomorrow'll be filled with doing my part of the Dangerous Earth project. At least 1000 words is only about 3 pages or so double spaced, so it won't be so long and tedious. I can't say that describing what happened during the Mississippi flood of 1993 whips me into a verbal frenzy. Well, it's about time for another nap, and since my last nap was 2 1/2 hours stretched across three desk chairs in the Earth Science library, I think it's safe to say that this one (which'll take place in my lovely bed) will be much more comfortable!

posted by Christina @ 4:11 PM