Things That Go Bump

Wherever I've lived in the past, I've occasionally been startled by some crash outside or nearby the house.  It might be a thump.  It might be some crashing about.  Regardless, coming out of a sound sleep or being disturbed while otherwise occupied I've got to go investigate the source of the noise.

Living in a forest in Costa Rica, I've had to dispense with my investigative habits.  There's a crash, thud, scraping noise or other disruptive audio phenomenon numerous times during the day and night.  Usually, there's no way to determine what the cause of the noise was.  I have, however, been keen eyed enough to spot a few culprits.

1. The falling coconut.  Evidence is abundant on the ground.
2. The leaping squirrel.  I've seen this guy take a mad leap and trust his fate to there being foliage sturdy enough to save him from plummeting to the ground.
3. The stick throwing monkey.   The white faced monkeys don't seem to like labrador dogs hanging around under their tree.  Their solution?  Break off a branch and toss it at the dog.
4. The tumbling iguana.  This is my favourite.  Every day one of the local iguanas uses the eaves trough as a personal subway.  It sounds like a clock-work device in the eaves trough as his little nails click, click, click their way along the gutter.  How does an iguana proceed on their journey at the gutter terminus?  Why you just fall 12 feet landing on your back.  You then roll over and scuttle off on your way.

This carefree falling off structures is something I admire and see a need for.  Many has been the time when I'm doing some job up on a roof.  It's a real pain to ensure that the ladder is secure.  I never trust my ladder site engineering.  I tentatively position myself, always fearing some DIY caused injury.  Why couldn't we have evolved like the iguana?  Take a quick peek over the edge of the roof, roll off, land on my back, give a little shake, jump up and go about my business.  That and the opposable thumb and our species could make some real progress.