• Question: Did you ever get bit by a flamingo?

    Asked by pgunner to Eileen on 11 Nov 2012. This question was also asked by ellbells.
    • Photo: Eileen Diskin

      Eileen Diskin answered on 11 Nov 2012:

      Yep! That’s why I’m missing my left hand. JUST KIDDING!

      The truth is that I did, but that it didn’t really hurt. Flamingos don’t have the same kind of teeth that we do. Instead of teeth, they have comb-like structures called lamellae, which they use to filter water – so they can eat the tasty (well to them I guess) things like algae, but don’t have to eat any mud (which we would agree is probably gross!).

      So although I got an occasional snap from one or two of them, it wasn’t painful at all – they’re pretty playful little guys, really!

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