From cultural significance to offensive communication, a source of laughter to a potential weapon – animal flatulence, or “cloacal poppings,” varies wildly. Carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen sulfide levels ensure that not all farts are created equal. The book, Does It Fart?: A Definitive Field Guide to Animal Flatulence by Dani Rabaiotti and Nick Caruso, explores this often-overlooked aspect of the animal kingdom with humor and scientific rigor.
Cow haters, take note! This book unintentionally debunks common misconceptions about bovine flatulence being the primary culprit in greenhouse gas emissions. While cows do contribute, the book reveals that almost all living creatures are “guilty” of flatulence. Termites, for example, contribute between 5 to 19 percent of methane gas to the greenhouse effect, and their total weight on Earth exceeds that of humans! Speaking of humans, we contribute 63% of greenhouse gasses to climate change, excluding our own definitive flatus. Horses are more boisterous than cows, while elephants and whales are dramatically more audible (and malodorous!). It’s unknown if the latter two species can trump the fossa, but fossa flatulence is as fierce as the animal itself. Humans have even noted that its pungent, lingering odor can make one’s eyes water. The cockroach’s contribution to the flatulence landscape is also astonishing. You should read this book!
“So if you hate your current job, spare a thought for the fart tester. These pioneers in flatology found that dietary supplements containing activated charcoal, Yucca schidigera, and zinc acetate reduced the intestinal production of hydrogen sulfide by up to 86 percent, thus decreasing the frequency of malodorous farts!” This quote highlights the surprising level of scientific inquiry into flatulence and its potential mitigation.
Farts are as much a part of the ecological balance as they have become part of world history. “Maasai beekeepers believe that the mongoose uses its farts to drive away bees so that it can raid their hives for the honey, while a Bedouin proverb, which concerns a dispute that creates an irreconcilable group, translates to “the mongoose farted among themâ€â€”it was believed that a mongoose fart could disperse large herds of camel and it would be extremely difficult to bring the herd back together.” These examples demonstrate the cultural significance and even practical applications (or perceived applications) of animal flatulence in different societies.
“If you are reading this you are undoubtedly aware of the ability of the human species, like other primates, to fart. Unlike other primates, though, our species appears to experience emotions associated with our farts: namely shame, embarrassment, disgust, but also joy, schadenfreude (joy in other’s misfortune), or perhaps even delight. Humans have long been fascinated by their farts, which is exemplified by the odd myths and folklore surrounding them. For example, the water sprite, kappa, in Japanese folklore, is believed to be repelled by especially strong farts, while an Innu spirit of the anus named Matshishkapeu, which translates as “the fart man,†is a powerful and humorous spirit that is believed to be able to predict the future. Farts even appear in Dante Alighieri’s famous poem Inferno, in which the demons’ sign for the march was made by “a trumpet of his ass.â€
While seemingly tangential to the book’s primary focus, the discussion of carbon dioxide’s role in plant growth provides a relevant counterpoint to the solely negative perception of greenhouse gases. Agronomists emphasize that carbon dioxide is essential for plant growth and vegetation health. Massive restoration projects worldwide utilize plants like Portulacaria afra forests to capture carbon dioxide from the air and release it into the soil. The UN is even investigating the possibility of globally establishing 300 million hectares of this plant. Compost plays a similar, albeit smaller, role. The seven-thousand-mile green belt planted across Africa aims to halt the Sahara desert’s southward expansion. Understanding the full context of carbon dioxide’s role is crucial.
But back to Does It Fart?: The book is a tongue-in-cheek summary of fascinating facts, enhanced by amusing illustrations of animals “caught in the act.” Dani Rabaiotti, a zoologist, and Nick Caruso, an ecologist, compiled this amazing information on 80 species with the help of their Science Twitter friends. The book presents scientific facts in a fun and often hilarious way, successfully accomplishing its goal of keeping readers engaged.
The importance of Does It Fart?: A Definitive Field Guide to Animal Flatulence lies in its ability to present scientific information in an accessible and entertaining manner. It’s a delightful read that will leave you with a newfound appreciation for the gassy realities of the animal kingdom. Consider purchasing “Does It Fart?” today and expand your knowledge of the animal kingdom’s most overlooked, yet fascinating, function!
