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Why don't birds get pregnant?

To: "Andrew Hobbs" <>, <>
Subject: Why don't birds get pregnant?
From: "michael norris" <>
Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:37:37 +1000
Hi all

On bats, their young are born quite small and the parents, some species at least, fly with the young clinging on to their fur (and probably teats?!).

Gould's Wattle-bats are so sensitive to temperatures (only reason?) that they will move them like this to alternative roosts, often with twins.

Similarly Rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster aka Australian water rats) also take their young into their habitat - water - hanging on to their teats. Indeed the front teeth of the young grow in a crescent shape initially to facilitate this.

And rats' teeth do not have our enamel. They grow continually and are sharpened - aren't they just! - by gnawing.

So clearly birds should learn to have nipples. First in line might be the pigeons, with their production of a "milk" for their young.

OK this is just stuff I've heard/remembered. Others are welcome to shoot it down!

Michael Norris
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