A bit back I got caught up in a heated argument on the site here (lost my temper, I hate it when that happens) and stated that carrion eating birds would clean up diseased carcasses and slow the spread of plague in prairie dog towns.



Well, Wrong again!



Talked to a biologist buddy of mine and he informed me than diseases that are in the blood stream such as rabies will be purged by being eaten by carrion eating birds, fleas on the other hand such as the ones carrying plague just hop on said bird and catch a ride to the next p-dog town and screw it up as well.

Certainly not the first time I defended a position where-in I was wrong, probably not the last, but you'd think by my age a guy would know better.

My dad used to tell me when your wrong admit it, I was, so I am.

While I had no part in the heated "discussion", I did read it. It takes a big man to admit when he's wrong, glad to see my dad wasn't the only one who made his son do that. Interesting post, though. I would not have guessed that the fleas on a c-bird would be able to carry rabies around like that. I guess it proves you learn something new everyday.

Rick