Comic #3138: 2013-12-20

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Description

Here's the transcription of the text in the comic:

Panel 1:
"Parasites often manipulate the behavior of their current host so that the host gets eaten by a particular other creature, thereby transmitting the parasite."

Panel 2:
"This is good for the parasite, but usually bad for the current host."

Panel 3:
"We can thus conclude that if an animal has a conspicuously conspicuous behavior, and it has parasites, then the conspicuous behavior is moderated by the parasite."

Panel 4:
"We therefore proposed that Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer likely contains some species of bioluminescent parasite, and that there is a North Pole predator that is drawn to red light."

Panel 5:
"We created lanterns similar in size and light wavelength to the known values of Rudolph's nose. Then we traveled north."

Panel 6:
"We are scientists. Dispassionate by nature."

Panel 7:
"But even we were not prepared."

Panel 8:
"If someone ever asks why kitties chase the red dot…"

Panel 9:
"Tell her… SABERTOOTH!"

The comic combines elements of scientific explanation with humor in a narrative format.