SoylentNews

It's Raining Spiders! Weirdest Effects of California Drought

posted by cmn32480 on Thursday July 16 2015, @03:38PM   
from the what-a-tangled-web-we-weave dept.

Phoenix666 writes:

Brown lawns, fallow fields and higher water bills are all the predictable outcomes of the California drought.

The Golden State is in the midst of its driest period on record. But all that warm, dry weather affects more than just lake levels and snowpack — it has some downright weird effects, too. From pipe-eating poop to more roadkill, here are some of the strangest results of the California drought.
...
1. Pipe-eating poop

People are still pooping as much, so each flush contains more waste with less water to flush it through the system. The waste that is broken down creates hydrogen sulfide, which eats through the concrete in the pipes

2. More roadkill

Since the drought means less greenery and animal food, animals must take bigger risks to reach food and water sources — even when that means crossing dangerous roads and highways. As a result, roadkill incidence may be increasing in the Golden State

3. Send in the snakes

With fewer water sources away from homes, rodents are likelier to venture into peoples' homes. Rattlesnakes then follow, lured by their main prey

4. Kitten bonanza!

cats react to warm weather just as people on a Hawaii vacation might — by getting busy

5. Pest growth

pests such as scorpions and spiders reproduce like crazy in the dry, warm conditions

What's the weirdest thing about the drought for you, ye Californian Soylentils?

---

Original Submission

• Re:Good timing Re:Good timing (Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Thursday July 16 2015, @05:35PM

  by Phoenix666 (552) on Thursday July 16 2015, @05:35PM (#210063) Journal

  If you lived in Iowa or Nebraska you would be on more solid ground from which to throw stones at the coasts. As it is, Missouri defines the term "hillbilly."

  --
  Washington DC delenda est.

  Parent

  Starting Score:	1		point
  Karma-Bonus Modifier		+1
  Total Score:		2

• Re:Good timing Re:Good timing (Score: 2) by dyingtolive on Thursday July 16 2015, @05:46PM

  by dyingtolive (952) on Thursday July 16 2015, @05:46PM (#210069)

  Serious question: What's in Iowa and Nebraska?

  Also, I moved here. For what it's worth, I have plenty of things to say about people around here too.

  --
  Don't blame me, I voted for moose wang!

  Parent

  • Re:Good timing (Score: 2) by Alfred on Thursday July 16 2015, @06:21PM

    by Alfred (4006) on Thursday July 16 2015, @06:21PM (#210085) Journal

    I would try answer in a funny way but it would only come across as corny.

    Parent

  • Re:Good timing Re:Good timing (Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Thursday July 16 2015, @07:34PM

    by Phoenix666 (552) on Thursday July 16 2015, @07:34PM (#210118) Journal

    Nothing, but there are no significant, specific pejoratives attached to them. It's kind of like Wyoming or Colorado, not much to say about them either way. If you're standing in Middle America throwing rocks at other regions, Missouri is not the best place to be throwing them from. That's all.

    Personally I bear no part of the country any special ill will except for Chicago, Washington D.C., and Barstow, CA. May they all be swallowed up by the vengeful ground.

    --
    Washington DC delenda est.

    Parent

    • Re:Good timing (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 17 2015, @03:15PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Friday July 17 2015, @03:15PM (#210461)

      Personally I bear no part of the country any special ill will except for Chicago, Washington D.C., and Barstow, CA. May they all be swallowed up by the vengeful ground.

      Being from Barstow, I share this sentiment.

      Parent