Ok, lets set the record straight...The hot is from the heat lamps and the chicks are really baby birds.
Friends of TFN, Mary Jo, John, and Nicky Tenuto, sent us in the following pics from a rather funny site they came across at the Star Wars Where Science Meets Imagination exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
Thanks to the Tenuto family for sharing in the fun!
UPDATE: Friend of TFN, William, sent in the following e-mail after checking out our hard hitting news story:
"I've been volunteering in the genetics exhibit where the chick hatchery is located for some time now, and I can confirm that the rancor has rapidly become a crowd favorite in a already-popular exhibit. Of course, I never thought I'd have to say the word "rancor" at least 50 times a day while volunteering at a museum, but everyone loves him.
I thought you might enjoy this detail: it appears as if many of the chicks are displaying imprinting regarding the rancor (ie they think it's their mother): they cluster around it preferentially and when not feeding (like they were in the pictures sent to you) can be seen crawling around the rancor's legs and occassionally gazing up at it for approval. What's even funnier is when a chick is startled by a museum visitor and goes running back to the safe protection of their rancor mommy.
The Stars Wars exhibit itself is fantastic, and I'd encourage any of your readers in the Chicago area to visit the MSI to check it out."
Thanks William! Reminds me of the children's book "Are You My Mother" that my parents used to read to me...and I now read to my son. Great book, and yes the bird finds his mother at the end...whoops, I forgot a spoiler warning.
Rebelscum Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Patch Posted By Philip on November 25, 2014: Thanks to everybody that ordered patches. I sent a check for $1,600.00 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Monday. While it's not as much as I hoped for, it's still very much appreciated. They will remain for sale in the store for anybody that still wishes to purchase them. Details after the jump.