# Swallowed frog: How did it/does it die? (I think it's dead.) \[not gross but unsettling .jpg\]

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-frog-how-did-it-does-it-die-i-think-its-dead-not-gross-but-unsettling-jpg/687711>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 5, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-frog-how-did-it-does-it-die-i-think-its-dead-not-gross-but-unsettling-jpg/687711 "2014-05-05T14:55:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-frog-how-did-it-does-it-die-i-think-its-dead-not-gross-but-unsettling-jpg/687711/21 "2014-05-23T15:20:33Z")

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> [@Colibri](#):
>
> …the cloudy eyes are probably due to it having raised its [nictitating membranes](http://o.quizlet.com/i/UFbIvgOGfE1KkaHsECxQ6Q_m.jpg) (semitransparent eyelids) to protect its eyes.

I read today (old news) that woodpeckers raise their nictitating membranes when wood pecking so their eyeballs don’t fly out.

**Colibri** , did you know that? In real life, if you don’t mind my asking, aren’t you a bird specialist?

I also wonder how many readers of this thread know that putting a finger up your butt stops hiccuping [same cite as above]. Although that’s a hijack, I don’t think that would be so bad, as the OP sort of petered out. So feel free to respond…

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**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-frog-how-did-it-does-it-die-i-think-its-dead-not-gross-but-unsettling-jpg/687711/22 "2014-05-23T18:16:19Z")

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> [@TriPolar](#):
>
> I used to have a grouper that inhaled whole goldfish and guppies.

Cripes, I thought at first glance you said “puppies”, and wondered how big the grouper was…

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**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-frog-how-did-it-does-it-die-i-think-its-dead-not-gross-but-unsettling-jpg/687711/23 "2014-05-23T18:23:04Z")

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Mary Roach addresses this in her own inimitable way, among other things, in her latest book [Gulp](http://www.amazon.com/Gulp-Adventures-Alimentary-Canal-Roach-ebook/dp/B00AN86JZ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1400869232&sr=8-1&keywords=gulp).

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**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [May 23, 2014, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/swallowed-frog-how-did-it-does-it-die-i-think-its-dead-not-gross-but-unsettling-jpg/687711/24 "2014-05-23T19:25:16Z")

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> [@Leo\_Bloom](#):
>
> I read today (old news) that woodpeckers raise their nictitating membranes when wood pecking so their eyeballs don’t fly out.
> 
> **Colibri** , did you know that? In real life, if you don’t mind my asking, aren’t you a bird specialist?

While I didn’t mention the nictitating membrane, I have written a Staff Report on [How can woodpeckers stand all that woodpecking? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2150/how-can-woodpeckers-stand-all-that-woodpecking)

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