Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2016 May 18

= May 18 =

Must - a running (free) animal - run, either: after - or - off / away ?
Btw, a (free) human being can run for many other purposes, e.g. for sports etc. (Additionally, by "animal" I exclude ants). HOTmag (talk) 08:16, 18 May 2016 (UTC)


 * Are you asking whether animals ever run other than in fleeing or pursuing? Well, my cats sometimes gallop for no obvious reason. —Tamfang (talk) 08:26, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Oh really? So I wonder how about free horses (i.e. not harnessed)... HOTmag (talk) 08:36, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * I'm not really sure I understand what it is you're asking. Would you consider a horse that is kept in a fenced pasture as "free" since it is not in a harness at that time? If so, yes, they run and play like many other animals. I would therefore assume that free horses, such as Mustangs in the American West, would also run as part of play. Additionally, dogs in dog parks also run during their play time but again, I don't know if your definition of "free" would apply. Dismas |(talk) 12:47, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * How about: deer and tigers, in the savanna? HOTmag (talk) 13:06, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Springbok characteristically run and jump around when a predator is in view, not in order to run away, but (supposedly) to demonstrate that they are so fit it's not worth chasing them. It seems likely to me that some species might include running demonstrations in their courtship display, but I can't bring any to mind at the moment. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 185.74.232.130 (talk) 13:37, 18 May 2016 (UTC)


 * See cursorial -- Jayron 32 14:01, 18 May 2016 (UTC)


 * So you are asking about why and when critters run? See also animal play. On second thought, maybe not- that article is unfortunately almost solely about humans. Here are some nice books to skim on animal play . Many predators and prey will practice fight-or-flight type actions without any external danger or prey stimulus present. It's sort of like shadow boxing. This tends to be more common in immature animals, and far more common among mammals than other groups. It can make news headlines when a well-supported report of play is published for an unprecedented group, like this case  for some fish.  SemanticMantis (talk) 15:34, 19 May 2016 (UTC)

Cars Clubs like trippel A or ADAC.
I have seen in australia there are 3 different Clubs - western australia, Tasmania and Southern Australia. Why so many difference and can in australia anybody join one of this 3 clubs and have benefits? --Ip80.123 (talk) 08:46, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * I'm not familiar with either the AAA or ADAC, but I assume they are motorists' associations similar to the AA and provide services such as road side assistance. If so, the corresponding motorists' associations in Australia are state-based, the two largest being the NRMA in NSW and the ACT, and the RACV in Victoria. Category:Automobile associations in Australia lists the others. The Australian Automobile Association co-ordinates between the state-based bodies. There's also the separate Royal Automobile Club of Australia, which used to be a motorists' association but is now quite a different sort of club. --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 09:24, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * The capital cities are geographically remote and the clubs arose independently. Anyone who is a financial member can gain the benefits. Sleigh (talk) 11:35, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * And just to add - if you pay for a membership level that gets you road side assistance with one association, you get reciprocal benefits from the other clubs if you happen to be driving in another city: see e.g. http://www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/Internet/primary/membership/membership+reciprocity . --PalaceGuard008 (Talk) 15:42, 18 May 2016 (UTC)

Typical human anatomy
Is it typical that a person can bend their wrist forward so far my thumb can make contact with my wrist (with a bit of encouragement from my other hand) like I can. If not, is there any details on the implications of this and or how common this 'talent' is. Also, my thumb can be bent backwards at a right angle which I understand is uncommon. I'm not sure if both abilities go hand in hand (quite literally)

Physically, I have no other interesting skills. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.35.190.215 (talk) 21:46, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Could be to do with the elasticity of your tendons. However, if you hear a snapping sound, then you have gone too far.--178.106.99.31 (talk) 22:04, 18 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Hypermobility (joints) is our relevant article (with an impressive thumb-flexibility photo). Tevildo (talk) 00:30, 19 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Also see Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. --TammyMoet (talk) 12:22, 19 May 2016 (UTC)
 * My thumb can have a right angle, with both my index finger and my wrist, simultaneously. When I was a child, a friend of mine had the first talent you've indicated, and I believe whoever has it has also the second one, but not (necessarily) vice versa. HOTmag (talk) 12:46, 19 May 2016 (UTC)