Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Science/2019 August 23

= August 23 =

Beshrew me!
Can someone confirm whether this blurry little fellow is a North African Elephant Shrew? He lives in a coastal scrubby area in Algeria. Thanks, HenryFlower 13:10, 23 August 2019 (UTC)
 * I do not know. But, having looked at our article, I'd suggest that if the species is positively identified, your picture would be an improvement to the article. The illustration is okay, but the stuffed specimen is a tad nightmarish. Matt Deres (talk) 15:42, 23 August 2019 (UTC)


 * I'd rather see the stuffed version (although somebody should comb it's hair flat) than a blurry pic with the background the same color. But, yes, it looks like the same varmint to me. SinisterLefty (talk) 19:42, 23 August 2019 (UTC)


 * This picture would be too embarrassing to use, I think. If we can ID him, I'll go out again with a better camera and track down him or one of his friends. HenryFlower 20:55, 23 August 2019 (UTC)
 * we already have this one: just use it already https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Petrosaltator_rozeti-Zootaxa.jpg
 * (looks very much the same species, and its cousins are living elsewhere, so my guess it is indeed what you think it is)
 * cousins:
 * (looks like we may have some discrepancies with the german equivalent https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nordafrikanische_Elefantenspitzmaus, not sure but I cannot check details )
 * Gem fr (talk) 14:36, 24 August 2019 (UTC)

Raphia palm
Can the fruit of the Raffia palm be eaten and can the sap be drank instantly when collected or does this need to be refined in some way? Thank you Anton 81.131.40.58 (talk) 17:17, 23 August 2019 (UTC)
 * Don't know about the fruit, but our article says about the juice, "When first collected from the tree, it is sweet and appears slightly carbonated". Rojomoke (talk) 19:31, 23 August 2019 (UTC)


 * Vitamins, phytochemicals and toxic elements in the pulp and seed of raphia palm fruit (Raphia hookeri) "The raphia palm tree is found in abundance in the southern part of Nigeria, especially in the southeastern part. It is grown mainly for its production of palm wine. It also bears fruits (Raphia hookeri) whose pulp is considered edible in some parts of the country and not edible in other parts... Conclusion. The pulp and seed of R. hookeri are non-toxic and can serve as food as well as in medicine. [Next page] The yellow oily pulp has been reportedly used as bitter flavouring or occasionally as food, particularly when fresh. It can be eaten raw or after boiling but the taste is more agreeable when it is boiled than when it is raw. The pulp is normally consumed with boiled and sliced cassava". Marc Nwosu OGBUAGU, Chem. Dep., Michael Okpara University of Agriculture.
 * So edible, but people aren't falling over themselves to eat the stuff. Alansplodge (talk) 21:13, 24 August 2019 (UTC)