Seagulls, Laxatives, And Unforeseen Consequences: What Could Go Wrong?

There is a persistent urban myth that seagulls will explode if they eat Alka-Seltzer. This is not true. However, there have been instances of people feeding seagulls laxatives, which can be harmful to the birds and cause them to defecate uncontrollably. In one instance, a group of teenagers crushed laxatives into a pot of crisps and fed them to seagulls, resulting in the birds relieving themselves on beachgoers.

Seagulls do not explode from eating laxatives

It is a myth that seagulls will explode if they eat laxatives. This urban legend gained traction due to a viral video of seagulls defecating on people after consuming laxatives. However, the video was later exposed as fake, created by a user named "jonnieross" to demonstrate his viral video prowess.

The belief that seagulls will explode from consuming laxatives is similar to another myth involving Alka-Seltzer. This myth claims that if a seagull consumes an Alka-Seltzer tablet, it will violently explode into a cloud of feathers and intestinal remains due to a deadly buildup in its stomach. However, this myth is not true, and there is a clear absence of authentic videos depicting exploding seagulls on platforms like YouTube.

Birds, including seagulls, do not typically pass gas, but that does not mean they are incapable of doing so. Veterinarian Mike Murray explains that birds can burp or fart if necessary, but their diet usually does not require it. Additionally, birds can regurgitate food for their young, suggesting that they can also reverse the direction of other substances. Therefore, consuming laxatives will not lead to an explosion, but it may cause health issues if consumed in large quantities.

It is important to remember that seagulls are wild animals and should not be fed substances like laxatives or ketamine for entertainment purposes. Such actions constitute cruelty and can have detrimental effects on the birds' health.

Laxatives are a common way to kill smaller animals

Laxatives work by drawing water from the body into the bowel, making faeces softer and easier to pass. This process can cause dehydration, which is dangerous for smaller animals like seagulls. In addition, the rapid evacuation of faeces can lead to an impacted colon, requiring enemas or even surgery to treat.

When used inappropriately, laxatives can be toxic to dogs and other small animals. For example, chocolate-flavoured laxatives contain chocolate, which is known to be toxic to canines. Even a small dog consuming one or two human laxatives could become severely ill. The size of the animal and the number of pills ingested are important factors in determining the toxicity of laxatives.

In the case of seagulls, consuming laxatives can lead to uncontrollable defecation, creating a public nuisance and causing embarrassment for those affected. This was evident in an incident where teenagers fed laxatives to seagulls at Venice Beach, resulting in the birds relieving themselves on unsuspecting beachgoers.

While laxatives are not typically harmful in recommended doses, they can be dangerous and even fatal to smaller animals when consumed in large quantities. It is important to consult a veterinarian before administering any medication to an animal, including over-the-counter laxatives.

Viral videos of seagulls pooping on people after consuming laxatives are fake

There are several viral videos online that claim to show seagulls pooping on people after consuming laxatives. However, these videos are fake and have been created to go viral and attract views. One such video, posted by a user named "jonnieross," features short cuts, a clear demonstration of the prank's outcome, and other telltale signs of viral video editing. The same user has posted other videos with similar intro text, indicating a possible pattern.

While the videos may be entertaining, it is important to remember that laxatives can be harmful or even fatal to birds if the dosage is incorrect. It is not advisable to attempt to feed laxatives to seagulls or any other animal, as it can cause severe dehydration and suffering.

The myth of seagulls exploding if they consume indigestion tablets like Alka-Seltzer is also false. Birds can pass gas and regurgitate food, so consuming such tablets would not cause them to explode.

Human laxatives do work on birds

While this incident caused mayhem, laxatives are a common method for killing smaller animals, such as mice and rats. If the dosage is incorrect, the animal will suffer from severe dehydration and likely die.

It is important to note that the practice of feeding laxatives to birds, or any animal, is cruel and can have detrimental effects on their health. In the case of seagulls, their diet should primarily consist of fish, and while bread and chips are not inherently harmful, a continuous diet of these foods can lead to health issues due to a lack of essential nutrients.

Therefore, while human laxatives may have a similar effect on birds, it is essential to respect their natural diet and refrain from intentionally causing them harm.

The RSPB condemns feeding seagulls ketamine

The RSPB has taken a strong stance against the feeding of seagulls ketamine, with spokesman Graham Madge stating that "If the incident did happen, then obviously it would be a case of cruelty." This statement comes in the wake of a video depicting a tourist appearing to feed a ketamine-laced chip to a seagull, which has sparked outrage among bird lovers.

The effects of ketamine on seagulls are unknown, but RSPB North spokesman Tim Melling emphasizes the dangers of administering drugs to birds, stating that "their effects differ according to body size." Seagulls are smaller than humans, and even babies, so the impact of ketamine could be devastating.

The RSPB's condemnation of this act is part of a broader issue of humans feeding seagulls inappropriate foods, such as bread and chips, which can lead to health problems due to a lack of necessary nutrients. While seagulls may enjoy eating these human foods, it is important to prioritize their well-being and avoid causing them harm.

Furthermore, the RSPB highlights that seagulls are highly evolved birds that have learned to follow humans for food, especially when fishing. This behavior has led to issues with seagulls stealing food and even becoming a threat to dogs and other animals. As such, the RSPB encourages people to refrain from feeding seagulls and to let them forage for their natural diet of fish.

In conclusion, the RSPB strongly discourages the feeding of seagulls ketamine or any other substance that could be harmful. It is important to respect these wild animals and ensure their health and safety, even if it means missing out on a viral video opportunity.

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