Interesting Impromptu Interspecies Interactions

[bayoubill]

I was just reminiscing about something that happened years ago…


I once had a goldfish which lived in a fishbowl on a table in my living room.


One day, while I was straightening up the living room,

I noticed my goldfish was at the corner of her bowl, staring at something.


When I looked closer, I realized she was staring at a cockroach

that was resting on a vase next to the fish bowl.


Just then, the cockroach moved slightly,

to which the goldfish reacted by swimming away.

The cockroach reacted to the goldfish's movement by stopping in alarm

and remaining perfectly still.


The goldfish then settled down,

and swam slowly back to the corner of her bowl

to again stare at the cockroach.


Then, the cockroach again moved slightly,

to which the goldfish again reacted by swimming away.

And, again, the cockroach reacted to the goldfish's movement by stopping in alarm

and remaining perfectly still.


The goldfish then again settled back down

and swam back to the corner of her bowl

to again stare at the cockroach.


This went on for several more iterations, until, finally,

I couldn't contain myself any longer and loudly ROLFLMAO'd,

which sent the cockroach scurrying.


I still get a good chuckle thinking about the goldfish and the cockroach.


Has anyone else witnessed an interesting interaction

between widely divergent species of animals?

[bayoubill]

Has anyone else witnessed an interesting interaction

between widely divergent species of animals?


Anyone?

[jet]

Why did you not kill the cockroach?

I know my dog will stare out the window at a squirrel on the fence. The squirrel sees her through the glass and knows its safe as he just continues to do whatever it is he is doing on the fence.
But.....when Syd goes out the dog door into the yard, the squirrel knows death is looming, so he scampers out of the way to the nearest tree.

That's about all I can offer.

[chichimama]

I'm still trying to figure out where the corner of the bowl is. ;)

Not interspecies, but same. A female Cardinal built her nest right outside my kitchen window at my last house. Layed four eggs and stayed put. Her mate would bring her worms and feed them to her while she sat on the nest. It was one of the sweetest things I ever saw.

[bayoubill]

Why did you not kill the cockroach?


Believe me, I usually do kill cockroaches on site...

but this was a fascinating scenario.

I had no idea that goldfish and cockroaches would exhibit awareness of each other.


I know my dog will stare out the window at a squirrel on the fence. The squirrel sees her through the glass and knows its safe as he just continues to do whatever it is he is doing on the fence.
But.....when Syd goes out the dog door into the yard, the squirrel knows death is looming, so he scampers out of the way to the nearest tree.

That's about all I can offer.


Dogs and squirrels are fun, too.


I used to have a German Shepherd, sweet but dumb as a post,

who would go berserk at the sight of a squirrel in a tree,

of which we had plenty.


Since she spent most of her waking day outside,

my dog, Tasha, expended alot of her time and energy being berserk.


The squirrels, apparently recognizing the absurdity of Tasha's obtuseness in relation to their position of safety,

would taunt her

by looking down at her from their perches

and waving their tails

and scolding "chee... chit-chit... chee...",

which I took to mean "Hahaha... stupid Tasha... you'll never get us..."

[samurai7]

I would have been too busy screaming my for my husband to kill the cockroach. :eek:

[bayoubill]

I'm still trying to figure out where the corner of the bowl is. ;)


It was one of those glass fishbowls that has a flat, circular-shaped front and back. I'm sure you've see 'em before in pet shops.


Not interspecies, but same. A female Cardinal built her nest right outside my kitchen window at my last house. Layed four eggs and stayed put. Her mate would bring her worms and feed them to her while she sat on the nest. It was one of the sweetest things I ever saw.


Ahhhh...

yes, that's sweet.

I love cardinals.

They're probably my favorite species of wild bird.

I love their perky attitude and calls,

and their plummage, particularly during the winter

when the male stands out against the dreary winter landscape.


I'm reminded of something I've seen numerous times over the years.

Not interspecies, but same... if not more so, lol.


I've often witnessed male cardinals attact their own reflections,

over and over again,

in the rear view mirrors of cars parked in a parking lot.


Apparently, the bird in question thinks its own reflection is a rival male cardinal...

and spends an amazing amount of its time and energy fighting off the perceived rival.

In such case, it's not unusual to see him attack the rear view mirrors of each parked car,

going back to each one, over and over again, and flailing himself against his own reflected image.


I've also seen female cardinals do this one or twice...

but that seems to be the exception rather than the rule.


I've seen this behavior in several different locations over the years.

It seems to be most prevalent particularly during the Spring.

[bayoubill]

I would have been too busy screaming my for my husband to kill the cockroach. :eek:


completely understandable...

[birdonawire]

I had a pet squirrel that I had raised on a bottle, her Mom got killed when logger cut the tree so he brought me the babies she became to domesticated to be let go like the other two.

My Momma cat liked her and they used to take naps together. :D

I actually had two cats in the house and a beagle they all got along just fine. :D

[birdonawire]

I would have been too busy screaming my for my husband to kill the cockroach. :eek:

I HATE roaches I would have squashed it immediately and called the pro's to come spray the house! :mad:

[rckirby]

A few years ago, we went to a flea market and bought some wild ducklings. Most didn't "make it" for one reason or the other....but one did.

We called him "Darkwing". He followed us around everywhere. He drank beer and ate crackers with hubby, then when they laid down on the couch, Darkwing would settle in on hubbies chest and both napped.

When I came home, he would hop up the steps into the house and follow me around everywhere....I'll never forget the sound of his webbed feet....."flap-flap-flap" behind me.

Early evening, he would go down to the creek and play, but when it got dark, we would open the door and yell "quack-quack" and he would come running up the hill.

I had newspapers down all over the place because he had no concept of where he "pooped". I went online and found a website that sold "duck diapers" and was going to order them.

That same night, hubby and I dozed off early watching tv. We woke up @ 11pm....ran to the door and "quack-quacked"......Darkwing didn't come running and we never saw him again.

We think a snapping turtle got him......we still mourn his loss.

[bayoubill]

A few years ago, we went to a flea market and bought some wild ducklings. Most didn't "make it" for one reason or the other....but one did.

We called him "Darkwing". He followed us around everywhere. He drank beer and ate crackers with hubby, then when they laid down on the couch, Darkwing would settle in on hubbies chest and both napped.

When I came home, he would hop up the steps into the house and follow me around everywhere....I'll never forget the sound of his webbed feet....."flap-flap-flap" behind me.

Early evening, he would go down to the creek and play, but when it got dark, we would open the door and yell "quack-quack" and he would come running up the hill.

I had newspapers down all over the place because he had no concept of where he "pooped". I went online and found a website that sold "duck diapers" and was going to order them.

That same night, hubby and I dozed off early watching tv. We woke up @ 11pm....ran to the door and "quack-quacked"......Darkwing didn't come running and we never saw him again.

We think a snapping turtle got him......we still mourn his loss.


I love this sweet story, rckirby.


Thanks for sharing it.


Sorry for your loss. It is indeed mournful.

[bayoubill]

more fascinating and amusing animal behavior...

jumping spider chasing a laserpointer's red dot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q3bgMaD8bA&feature=related


pretty cool...

[chichimama]

Does Chihuahua vs. turtle count? :D

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j315/chichimamaVA/Scamp%20The%20Country%20Chihuahua/ScampTurtle.jpg

[drylok]

My wife has 4 cats and we have a hell of a bunny population so yes I see funny things quite frequently. The cats make a *huffing* sound while they sit at the door and watch the bunnys.

[drylok]

more fascinating and amusing animal behavior...

jumping spider chasing a laserpointer's red dot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q3bgMaD8bA&feature=related


pretty cool...

Oh man, a 6 pack and a laser pointer is entertainment for hours with 4 cats in the house. :D

[blazer]

A few years ago, we went to a flea market and bought some wild ducklings. Most didn't "make it" for one reason or the other....but one did.

We called him "Darkwing". He followed us around everywhere. He drank beer and ate crackers with hubby, then when they laid down on the couch, Darkwing would settle in on hubbies chest and both napped.

When I came home, he would hop up the steps into the house and follow me around everywhere....I'll never forget the sound of his webbed feet....."flap-flap-flap" behind me.

Early evening, he would go down to the creek and play, but when it got dark, we would open the door and yell "quack-quack" and he would come running up the hill.

I had newspapers down all over the place because he had no concept of where he "pooped". I went online and found a website that sold "duck diapers" and was going to order them.

That same night, hubby and I dozed off early watching tv. We woke up @ 11pm....ran to the door and "quack-quacked"......Darkwing didn't come running and we never saw him again.

We think a snapping turtle got him......we still mourn his loss.
awww :hug:

[bayoubill]

just found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ikm3o5hDks

[PaleoPaul]

One time one of my old cats (RIP) from where I used to live got outside and ran up a tree, so there was probably "interspecies interaction." (cat vs. squirrel)

If that counts...

[supreme_war_Pig]

How did you know the goldfish was a girl?

[Dreamy]

just found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ikm3o5hDks

Amazing interaction but I don't like rodents. Chipmunks are about the only one I tolerate.

[birdonawire]

just found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ikm3o5hDks

That was cute. :mrgreen:

[bayoubill]

Amazing interaction but I don't like rodents. Chipmunks are about the only one I tolerate.


(note to self: don't mention my fondness for hamsters...)

[Dreamy]

(note to self: don't mention my fondness for hamsters...)


Ok they are cute.:razz: We had one named Yogi. Lived to the grand old hamster age of 3.

[blazer]

Do you really like hamsters, Bill?

[bayoubill]

ok they are cute.:razz: We had one named yogi. Lived to the grand old hamster age of 3.


:d

[bayoubill]

Do you really like hamsters, Bill?


What's not to like?

[Dreamy]

Is a Prairie Dog with an Evil Eye a rodent? :mrgreen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Kyi0WNg40

[Army Wife]

just found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ikm3o5hDks

What a beautiful pair of buff rats!! I love the way the cat has been accepted by the ratties. You know you are "accepted" by them when they groom you. Man that video made me miss Greta Rat, she thought she was human and would rather be with me in the recliner sharing what ever I was eating or just chillin' than with the rest of the girls running around on the floor.

[bayoubill]

lol...

how 'bout a cat-stalking turtle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIF-uEaOzpY&feature=related

[bayoubill]

lol...

apparently, turtles simply have a thing for cats...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJr2evLANsE&NR=1


amazing...

[nortman]

Why did you not kill the cockroach?

I know my dog will stare out the window at a squirrel on the fence. The squirrel sees her through the glass and knows its safe as he just continues to do whatever it is he is doing on the fence.
But.....when Syd goes out the dog door into the yard, the squirrel knows death is looming, so he scampers out of the way to the nearest tree.

That's about all I can offer.I know for a fact that woodchucks (groundhogs to those who don't go with the woodchuck name) can climb trees.........especially if there is an 80 pound golden retriever chasing it.

[khigh]

I've just got a red eared slider (turtle) and a fire bellied toad living in the same aquarium. Supposedly the turtle will eat the toad, but so far the toad just likes to hitch rides on the turtle.

Also, my German Shepherd (RIP) loved my sugar gliders and vice versa, but he would kill my cats if he ever got the chance. He also loved to herd my little girl and chase long horns and buffalo. Glad he never got close enough to try to herd them.