One of the better things that have happened recently is the return of the Letterman and Craig Ferguson shows to late night TV. Letterman’s World Wide Pants production company, which makes both shows, made a separate deal with the writer’s union, so I do not have to feel like a scab for watching.
And on Craig, last Friday, was the actor Dominic Monaghan (Lost, Lord of the Rings). Now, normally this would not be considered of general interest– celebrities go on late night talk shows, film at 11, blah blah blah.
But Mr. Monaghan brought in animals, and one of them was a lovely snake I’d never seen before– he said it was a rat snake called a Blue Beauty, and it came from Thailand, and it eats bats.
Seriously. This snake climbs the rocks outside bat caves and nabs the flying mice as they enter or exit. I’m assuming this is true– a little research seems to bear it out– and even if it wasn’t I would want it to be. I want there to be snakes that eat bats.
Here are some images I found of Blue Beauty rat snakes. Even if you don’t usually click on the links, I recommend you check these out. The name is fully accurate– this long, lean, active serpent has gorgeous blue and grey patterns that change as they move down its body. It is one spectacular looking snake.
http://www.bluegorgon.com/framedtail.png
http://www.bluegorgon.com/framedfullmatsu.png
http://art1.sheezyart.com/image/44/447860.jpg
Also, the Australian carpet python– which is also quite a nice snake, but not as interesting. But it eats bats, too! Yay!
This got me thinking. What eats bats?
Snakes, obviously. Birds of prey, especially owls. Dogs, and presumably raccoons, cats and other hunters , will eat a bat that’s “down”, and will certainly try to catch a bat in flight. (I’ve never seen a dog manage this feat, but I’ve seen Chester get a bird on the wing, so I suppose it’s possible.)
But I was not expecting the answer “frogs”. http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/features/281feature1.shtml
This is good. I want frogs that eat bats. I want bats that eat frogs. (Which also happens.)
For those who are not interested in nature, or late night TV, I offer an update on Kekionga #2. The new title block may be fixed in stone– I’m still waffling. The back cover is designed, though I still don’t have a front cover that works. Everything is thumbnailed except the opening sequence, and I am thinking of going ahead with pencils, starting with about page 5.
I’ve never done this before, but this project is already such a mess as regards process, I wonder how else I can mess it up???
I’m sure I’ll figure something out.
Sharkipede
Sharkipede's No Silver Cars (version 2.0) 
I’m with you, Pam. There should be snakes that eat bats, and frogs that eat bats, and if there are bats that eat snakes and frogs then hey, turnabout is fair play.
As one of Warren Ellis’s characters said: It’s a weird world. Let’s keep it that way.
I have been hardcore on support of the WGA, watching no television, going to no movies, and buying no product that might support the APMTP companies (after all, it will still be for sale after the strike is settled), so I was delighted to have these 2 programs to watch. But I missed this one with the animals. Rats. (pun intended)