# Why So Few Airborne Critters?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-airborne-critters/454686>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 29, 2008, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-airborne-critters/454686 "2008-06-29T20:33:25Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-airborne-critters/454686/21 "2008-07-16T16:51:42Z")

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[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase]  
It’s “Why does the Porridge Bird lay his eggs in the air?”

Bozo.  
[/QUOTE]

WELL?  
punchline please

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**Author:** ![RedSwinglineOne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a9adbd/32.png) [@RedSwinglineOne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedSwinglineOne)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-airborne-critters/454686/22 "2008-07-16T16:53:48Z")

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[QUOTE=ivan astikov]  
Has this been thoroughly debunked yet?  
**[“Rods” at the Cave Of Swallows](http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1256302619?bclid=1258411825&bctid=1342085760)**

I read Cecil’s link **[here](http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mrodhoax.html)**, but it doesn’t seem to account for what is seen in that vid clip. Those long “things” are definitely not “artefacts” from where I am sat.  
[/QUOTE]

It was debunked at the end of the very show this clip is from. An area with lots of insect activity was filmed with both a comsumer level video camera, and a high speed camera. The cameras were synchronized, and very clearly showed that what appeared to be a ‘rod’ in the consumer camera, was just a moth in the high speed camera. The consumer camera cought 8-10 wing beats per frame, while the high speed camera used several frames per wingbeat.

The youtube video is [here.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvLSYATT48A&feature=related)

The test begins at about 2 minutes in.

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**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-airborne-critters/454686/23 "2008-07-16T17:05:19Z")

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[QUOTE=ralph124c]  
Somebody theorized that the atmosphere of jupiter might be home to creatures which were gas-filled balloons. could something like tis evolve? i recall that certain seaweeds have bladders filled with hydrogen gas.  
[/QUOTE]  
I’m pretty sure you’re thinking of Arthur C. Clarke in _2010_. I read all three of those books a long time ago now (_3001_ never happened to me) and I’ve been thinking about those creatures this whole thread.

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**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-so-few-airborne-critters/454686/24 "2008-07-16T19:39:35Z")

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[QUOTE=Derleth]  
I’m pretty sure you’re thinking of Arthur C. Clarke in _2010_. I read all three of those books a long time ago now (_3001_ never happened to me) and I’ve been thinking about those creatures this whole thread.  
[/QUOTE]

Oh, you might like a look at this then… **[Atmospheric Creatures](http://www.newanimal.org/a-beasts.htm)** 🙂

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