When I was still caving with the Rice Speleological Society, a bunch of us, including Jon Everage, went caving on a ranch out of Copperas Cove. While we were getting ready to go, the rancher asked us if we knew of a way to get rid of a porky that was eating up his wood fenceposts. Jon told the rancher that he'd shoot the porky if he could find him, so the rancher pointed at a "porky cave" (burrow) and said "He's in there." Jon took a pistol and crawled down into the "porky cave" and in a few minutes, we heard a loud pop. A couple of minutes later, Jon scootched out of the burrow towing the porky along with him--an ugly beast! (the porky, not Jon)--and Jon shaking his head. Apparently he hadn't really thought this out--firing a pistol in the close confines of a porky burrow. Took him a few days to get his hearing back completely.Thus add to the legend that is Jon Everage. And, BTW, if they haven't faded out after lo these many years, I still have slides of the whole episode.
From: BMorgan994@aol.comDate: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 17:27:31 -0500To: texascavers@texascavers.comSubject: [Texascavers] Cave critters Porcupines are common in the caves of southeast Asia. I have seen them in Mulu and in Thailand, and have often seen their tracks fairly far back. Let's not forget that Deer cave in Mulu was called that because when Tom Harrison (Mr. Cool, look him up) first discovered the cave it was frequented by real Sambar stags. Certain caves in central America are inhabited by Paca (Cuniculus paca), better know as Tepesquintle in Mexico or Gibnut in Belize. I have often written about how tasty they are. Some caves are obviously often visited since they leave well traveled trails deep underground, but only in certain caves. Damned if I know why? In such circumstances I have searched for stored food material but have found none. Jaguars often den in caves too, plus they hang around such places in search of Gibnuts! Sleaze Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.
