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Even the family cat had refused to enter the kitchen while the giant rat was in residence, ...
It appears that it entered the kitchen via a ventilation pipe, having gnawed its way through cement and wood.
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Okay, gnawing through wood I can understand, but gnawing through cement! 
I don't blame the cat for not wanting to go in the kitchen.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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Well, their teeth never stop growing, so they have to gnaw to wear them down - otherwise they can't eat. I guess when you get to that size, you really have to chew!
I was (slightly) interested, though, and found this: http://rat-patrol.org/Archives/Facts.html[^]
The damn things can chew through 1/2 inch steel! 
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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They'll gnaw though metal too!
In Nam I would wake up in the middle of the night and they'd be working on a C-Rat can.
Along with Antimatter and Dark Matter they've discovered the existence of Doesn't Matter which appears to have no effect on the universe whatsoever!
Rich Tennant 5th Wave
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Mike Hankey wrote: In Nam I would wake up in the middle of the night and they'd be working on a C-Rat can.
I used to gnaw ar c-rat cans too. 
Especially the pound cake.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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Spaghetti was my favorite, Ham and MF my least.
Along with Antimatter and Dark Matter they've discovered the existence of Doesn't Matter which appears to have no effect on the universe whatsoever!
Rich Tennant 5th Wave
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I would trade spaghetti for ham any day.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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The APOPO[^] organization uses African Giant rats for two jobs: landmine detection and eradication, and tuberculosis sample checking.
Software Zen: delete this;
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What do they do? Get them to chew the mines until they explode? 
Mind you, we've always done nasty things with animals: the standard pregnancy test used to be to inject the ladies urine into a live rabbit, then examining the rabbit's ovaries a few days later. This of course meant the rabbit had to be cut open... That didn't stop until the 60's.
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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It's their sense of smell. The rats can smell the explosives, but they're light enough they don't set off the mine.
The TB detection is similar; rats can detect the scent of TB in a sample far more quickly than a lab analysis.
Software Zen: delete this;
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And there was me thinking up better designs for a Ratapult!
Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it. --- George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952)
Those who fail to clear history are doomed to explain it. --- OriginalGriff (February 24, 1959 – ∞)
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My daughter has had several pet rats over the years, so I've collected a certain amount of collateral rat trivia.
(They do make very nice pets, BTW)
Software Zen: delete this;
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Look at that freakin trap! Honestly though I'd probably have to move as I am a massive musophobiac.
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It's got Hobbit size and look for feet. 
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When I was across the big pond we used to shoot em and they were huge, don't know if they were that big though? I had an M1 Carbine with a flash light attached to the barrel that was my rat gun!
I had a Chinese automatic but I thought that was a little over kill. 
Along with Antimatter and Dark Matter they've discovered the existence of Doesn't Matter which appears to have no effect on the universe whatsoever!
Rich Tennant 5th Wave
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Mike Hankey wrote: I had a Chinese automatic but I thought that was a little over kill.
Not against a rat that size, it isn't!
Will Rogers never met me.
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At night they would fight and raise holy hell, I have never seen one here in the states that was as big. (Thank God)
Along with Antimatter and Dark Matter they've discovered the existence of Doesn't Matter which appears to have no effect on the universe whatsoever!
Rich Tennant 5th Wave
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You have to make use of what you have native to the area you live, Rice and Rat I've probably had worse?
If I was hungry there's not to much I would turn my nose up to.
How's that retired life suitin ya my friend?
Along with Antimatter and Dark Matter they've discovered the existence of Doesn't Matter which appears to have no effect on the universe whatsoever!
Rich Tennant 5th Wave
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Mike Hankey wrote: How's that retired life suitin ya my friend?
It is a little hard to get used to having all the time but seem to not get a lot done. I have learned to procrastinate with the best of them.
My routine is pretty much the same every day.
I was thinking today about getting serious about a programming problem I have been meaning to get started on, but then took a nap instead.
Maybe tomorrow I will make some progress? 
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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Yeah it's easy to get side tracked and not get anything done.
I try to do 3 things each day, whatever it may be to keep active and mind stimulated. But sometimes nap overrides.
There's so many things I want to do that I'm scattered in 20 directions, my latest is I'm trying to learn android development.
Along with Antimatter and Dark Matter they've discovered the existence of Doesn't Matter which appears to have no effect on the universe whatsoever!
Rich Tennant 5th Wave
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Mike Hankey wrote: There's so many things I want to do that I'm scattered in 20 directions,
That is the way I feel. I have a lot of projects I would like to work on but can't seem to get started. 
Mike Hankey wrote: my latest is I'm trying to learn android development
That is definitely on my list, but not #1 at this time. #1 is learning to create a VPN from my hosting server to my brokerage account to be able to trade FX without having to concern myself with local internet outages and power failures.
Last week we had 2 power failures; two nights in a row. I would hate to be in a trade and not to be able to react to ever changing market conditions.
I have actually accumulated a lot of information but now need to do a few marathon coding sessions to get something working so I can continue to develop trading robots.
The report of my death was an exaggeration - Mark Twain
Simply Elegant Designs JimmyRopes Designs
I'm on-line therefore I am.
JimmyRopes
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JimmyRopes wrote:
Last week we had 2 power failures; two nights in a row. I would hate to be in a trade and not to be able to react to ever changing market conditions.
Bought a UPS several years back and it's saved my butt, I know it doesn't help with internet.
Sounds like an ambitious agenda but doable with your deadline.
Along with Antimatter and Dark Matter they've discovered the existence of Doesn't Matter which appears to have no effect on the universe whatsoever!
Rich Tennant 5th Wave
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Eeeeek! The older son looks disturbingly like the cat....
If your neighbours don't listen to The Ramones, turn it up real loud so they can.
“We didn't have a positive song until we wrote 'Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue!'” ― Dee Dee Ramone
"The Democrats want my guns and the Republicans want my porno mags and I ain't giving up either" - Joey Ramone
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Stephan's Quintet Plus One [^]
The last few days has seen some wonderful images on APOD. 
"If you think it's expensive to hire a professional to do the job, wait until you hire an amateur." Red Adair.
Those who seek perfection will only find imperfection
nils illegitimus carborundum
me, me, me
me, in pictures
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Very nice!!
The signature is in building process.. Please wait...
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