Chinchillas crossed the Atlantic

October 13, 2001 10:25 AM

Chinchillas crossed the Atlantic 40 million years before Columbus.
posted by gimonca (21 comments total)

Does this mean they own the land and we seized it but ought to give it back? Do they have an army of liberation (aka Terrorists)? can they open casinos? Is my property legally safe?
posted by Postroad at 10:35 AM on October 13, 2001

Thor Heyerdahl eat your heart out.
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:39 AM on October 13, 2001

Imagine a giant flood in Africa sweeping large mats of debris down rivers into the ocean .. perhaps acres in size .. on which ride small animals .. it contains leaves and fresh water traped in logs.. and by some miracle of chance drifts to South America carrying a population of rodents. Extraordinary? Yes.. but 40 million years is a long time for extraordinary events to happen.
posted by stbalbach at 10:42 AM on October 13, 2001

Love your gerbil, he can put in a good word for you when they lay claim to the land.
posted by bjgeiger at 10:53 AM on October 13, 2001

by raft? maybe it was really by catapult. or maybe some other form of propulsion.
posted by boaz at 11:16 AM on October 13, 2001

Still, it was nice of them to do it on a Saturday.
posted by MiguelCardoso at 11:36 AM on October 13, 2001

But the earth isn't that old! Evolution is a lie. I think we need another discussion about God.

*ducks*
posted by gd779 at 11:45 AM on October 13, 2001

But the earth isn't that old! Evolution is a lie. I think we need another discussion about God.

It's a little-known fact that the hebrew word Yhwh is loosely translated as 'The Great Chinchilla'; it's all starting to fall into place.
posted by boaz at 12:22 PM on October 13, 2001

Somehow God seems so much more accessible when you think about him (or her) taking a dust bath in volcanic ash.
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:30 PM on October 13, 2001

i bet if these little rodents raped and slaughtered and stole when they came over, they'd get a parade in new york instead of that other guy.
posted by jcterminal at 1:19 PM on October 13, 2001

Church of the Gerbil is open for business.
posted by boaz at 1:45 PM on October 13, 2001

My cats are *so* grateful for all these rodents... Mmmmm, munchies!
gimonca: cool post. thanks.
posted by realjanetkagan at 2:05 PM on October 13, 2001

Herd 'em! "Nearly every pet chinchilla alive today is a descendent of Mr. [Mathias F.] Chapman's original herd. This is the story of the man who domesticated the chinchilla--" Official documents; historic photographs.
posted by Carol Anne at 2:53 PM on October 13, 2001

Carol Anne: Your link was what I needed. Brilliant! Thanks! I just snorted sake all over my keyboard.
posted by realjanetkagan at 3:27 PM on October 13, 2001

realjanetkagen: You are most welcome! (Hail Google!)
posted by Carol Anne at 3:45 PM on October 13, 2001

I love chinchillas. They're so soft and cuddly. Plus they are great when roasted over low heat and served with barbeque sauce...
posted by fooljay at 11:58 PM on October 13, 2001

HeHeHeHeHeHe.........
posted by bjgeiger at 2:05 AM on October 14, 2001

Chinchillas crossed the Atlantic 40 million years before Columbus.

that line literally cries out for the voice of don pardo. no, better yet, the movietone reel guy. yeah, that's the ticket.
posted by quonsar at 7:18 AM on October 14, 2001

pikachu vs chinchilla: the final battle go chinchilla!!!

also more on mf chapman's original herd in a 1933 issue of popular science. kinda neat (old pop sci articles... i think chinchilla coats are disgusting).
posted by kliuless at 8:07 AM on October 14, 2001

i think chinchilla coats are disgusting



You expect a rodent to have fashion sense?
posted by dchase at 8:45 AM on October 14, 2001

my reality system just crashed.
posted by kliuless at 9:00 AM on October 14, 2001