Stuff To Blow Your Mind Licking, Part 3
Dec 4, 2025
Dive into the intriguing world of licking! Discover medieval beliefs about how bears shaped their cubs with their licks. Explore the fascinating anatomy of bears and their unique feeding adaptations, including their attraction to ants. Learn about the wild customs surrounding licking in various cultures, from sacred cows in Hinduism to ancient Hittite rituals involving puppies. The hosts tie it all together with captivating myths and modern observations, leaving you with a new appreciation for this quirky topic.
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Bear Birth Myth In Medieval Bestiaries
- Medieval bestiaries claimed bears birthed shapeless flesh that mothers licked into cubs, reflecting observation mixed with myth.
- The Aberdeen Bestiary entry ties cultural symbolism to natural curiosity about bear birth and maternal care.
Delayed Implantation Fuels The Myth
- Bears use delayed implantation: fertilized embryos pause development and resume only if conditions permit.
- The apparent short development after implantation likely seeded myths of extremely brief pregnancies.
Altricial Cubs Look Like 'Lumps'
- Newborn bear cubs are highly altricial: tiny, pale, eyes closed, and dependent on maternal care.
- Their appearance and helplessness likely contributed to legends calling them formless or white lumps.
