Ectoparasites, or Animals doing undignified things

Humans are lucky in that we are mostly parasite free. If we do happen to get infested with tiny insect fascists, we can simply pick them out with tweezers, wash them out with shampoo, or defeat them with the help of the Russians.

Animals are not quite as nimble when it comes to eliminating political parties, but they do have a few tricks to deal with skin parasites. Basically, they keep themselves clean with nature's hairbrush: their mouths.

And sometimes they have to use nature's face-scratcher...


...and then we can laugh at them.


Seriously though, grooming is a big deal for birds and mammals, and I'm hoping to eventually do a more detailed post about parasites, grooming, and all the things birds learn about in the middle school locker room.