this post was submitted on 09 Jun 2026
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I've read that cats were used commonly in labs in USSR because they are smaller than dogs. I remember reading that they were used for example to study sleep deprivation. They would put a cat in a container with water so that he would have to stand or he would drawn and see how long would it last.
On a related note, there's a parakeet species spreading in Europe. I've read that some researches form my local university wanted to study them but they were complaining those bastards are very sneaky and impossible to catch. They finally managed to capture one but it figured out how to open the cage and escaped. For me that's quite uncooperative.
At a scientific conference I saw someone presenting a cat study poster. Japanese guy studying the neural control of bowel movements. His prep had a balloon inflated up a cat's ass to measure peristaltic contractions.
The parrots are likely either indian ringnecks or monk parakeets, they're the most common invasives, I think former the most - they're also very common as pets. I know there's some alexandrine parrots as well (they look like big ringnecks) and even amazon colony at least in one city, but they're a lot rarer.
Ringnecks are really fast and skittish, and since they're so intelligent it really is difficult to catch them. You likely have to change the method or at least the placement of the trap if you fail the first time. And if they see you do it, they'll learn to avoid you as well
Monk parakeets I believe. I think by now you can find them in many places between Spain and Germany.
Yeah, they've spread across cities quite successfully, especially the ringnecks, they have breeding colonies in cities all around the world. These species adapt well in the city life apparently