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Some birds can sleep half of their brain at a time.

Yep, I had a girlfriend like that once, at least half her brain seemed to be asleep at any given time.

I believe dolphins have at least half their brain awake all the time.

Hydromet wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 7:46 am

I believe dolphins have at least half their brain awake all the time.

Yes, just checking that the answer that I thought was correct, was correct, I saw that. They sleep with half the brain and the other half gives signals to swim.

It is carnivorous.

If no one knows the answer they are unlikely to guess it. Another tit bit. It will defend it's young against a lion.

That makes me think it's my favourite ugly/beautiful little beast

Yes Cape, we especially like the little ones. Unfair to be called one of the ugly five but these are omnivorous and incidentally very tasty.

Ex-Ascot wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:39 pm

Yes Cape, we especially like the little ones. Unfair to be called one of the ugly five but these are omnivorous and incidentally very tasty.

Wild beasts of the porcine variety tend to be tasty.

I have mouth-watering memories of one Monday evening in Brussels, consuming the results of someone’s weekend shoot in the Ardennes.

ian16th wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 2:03 pm

Ex-Ascot wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:39 pm

Yes Cape, we especially like the little ones. Unfair to be called one of the ugly five but these are omnivorous and incidentally very tasty.

Wild beasts of the porcine variety tend to be tasty.

I have mouth-watering memories of one Monday evening in Brussels, consuming the results of someone’s weekend shoot in the Ardennes.

Well, you did hit a soft spot here: as a family we used to live in Brussels for five years and I hated. I went away for a placement for 11 weeks and during that time my family decided to go for just one time in Ardennes for "gibier" - to taste some deer.

It is found in Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

One last 'guess' triggered by mention of Kenya, one of Robert Ruark's wonderful novels was called the Honey Badger, a vicious and fearless little bugger, otherwise known as a ratel.
A friend of mine called his ex 'The Honey Badger'.

Capetonian wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 3:39 pm

One last 'guess' triggered by mention of Kenya, one of Robert Ruark's wonderful novels was called the Honey Badger, a vicious and fearless little bugger, otherwise known as a ratel.
A friend of mine called his ex 'The Honey Badger'.

No Cape but not surprised you though of that, Aggressive little bastards. Only ever seen one but a very distinctive track. However it sleeps and is omnivore. They will indeed take on a lion.

Need to go in and shut the computer down shortly so those of you with posh educations from Eton or Harrow and a classics background the Latin name is Pyxicephalus adspersus And it has bloody sharp teeth.

I did well in Latin at Common Entrance level, but then did not pursue it.

Pyxicephalus sounds like it's got a small brain.

adspersus sounds like an advertising salesman. They've got small brains.

The sharp teeth thing sounds like it might be some kind of pirana, but they're not African.

So UP we have a small brained salesman who doesn't sleep is omnivorous has sharp teeth and will take on a lion. Possible but the small brained bit may be correct in the case of this animal.

Last clues before I go to.bed but will check on smart phone before then: it is cannibalistic as it eats young or indeed anything it can fit into it's mouth. We are talking animal not reptile.

Ex-Ascot wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 06, 2020 5:01 pm

it is cannibalistic as it eats young or indeed anything it can fit into it's mouth. We are talking animal not reptile.

A politician.

A Scottish politician, with sharp teeth.

A Scottish politician who watches the 24hr news channels.

One of the rare non-reptile versions of those beasties?

Banksterish?

A Money Badger ?

Known in Latin as:
Pecunia vaginismus operimentum pellem melis.

I cheated on that bit and therefore must resile and seek comfort in a retirement Directorship or Consultancy role in a gumment supplier of such succour.

I am not going to let this drag on. Think we have learnt enough about it and other animals for this challenge to have been of benefit to Ibbie for his next pub quiz.

The French like the legs of a similar breed.

Ex-Ascot wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:12 am

The French like the legs of a similar breed.

Folies Bergere?

G-CPTN wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:40 am

Ex-Ascot wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 5:12 am

The French like the legs of a similar breed.

Folies Bergere?

Getting there G-CPTN

Frog?
Not some kind of marsh frog or toad? I've seen toads which puff themselves up to.the size of a football, and with their red mouths they look pretty scary, but I can't imagine that one would confront a lion.

Capetonian wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 07, 2020 6:25 am

Frog?
Not some kind of marsh frog or toad? I've seen toads which puff themselves up to.the size of a football, and with their red mouths they look pretty scary, but I can't imagine that one would confront a lion.

My dear chap you are close enough. An African Bull Frog. We have them in the garden in the rains. Nice sound at night when they are hunting, but during the day they shuffle down into the grass resting and you can't see them. They see/hear you coming so hop away. In this resting state they will also grab any prey that passes by. If you corner them you are in for a very nasty bite. We once had one stuck in the pool strainer. Used a big slotted spoon and gardening gloves to get it out.

The male will confront a lion to defend it's young but have no hesitation to take a few itself for din dins.

All yours to hop along Sir.