why does a seagul explode when they eat a alca selzar?

Answer 1

It doesn't. You have been fooled into believieng an urban myth.

We're cautioned not to throw rice at the bride and groom, because the grain will prove harmful to the birds who swoop down to eat it. The rice expands in those little birdy stomachs, causing our avian companions to explode, we're warned. Let's quit worrying about the birds. They'll be fine. Seagulls don't explode when they eat Alka-Seltzer; pigeons don't explode when they eat rice.

Edit>>>>

All those gullible people claiming that seagulls can't burp, I have a simple question for you:

How can a species that feeds its young EXCLUSIVELY by regurgitating food not be able to burp?

The whole thing is an urban myth and you've all fallen for it.

How do you feel? ;)

Answer 2

First, let me say, I have never actually seen or heard of anyone who's ever seen a seagull eat an alka seltzer tablet, but if by chance one did consume an entire tablet, it's quite possible that their stomachs would rupture. It's due to the basic "neutralization" reaction that is created between the solid alka seltzer tablet and the stomach acids. The same thing would happen to humans.

Your alka seltzer tablet plays the role of a "base." When you have a stomach ache, you reach for your alka seltzer tab which you first drop into a glass of water...why? You allow the alka seltzer to dilute itself in the reaction it creates with the water. The fizzing? It's carbon dioxide gas coming out. Then you sip the liquid...because if you drank it all at once, well, you'd have one heck of a burp within minutes. That burp is also giving off carbon dioxide gas.

This is due to the "base" of the alka seltzer reacting with the acid of the stomach (of which there is apparently an overabundance if it's causing an aching stomach). This neutralize the acid by forming carbon dioxide and oxygen gases, thus enabling the acid to reduce its level back down to normal levels.

While if you swallowed an entire A.S. tab, your stomach is large enough that it may be just fine, but birds have much smaller stomachs and this would be too big of a reaction for most of them to handle.

It's a long answer, but I hope it helps.

Answer 3

They don't explode when they eat alca selzar's. Its when they drink the water is when the problems start.

The seagull can not release the gases that is building up inside their gizzard, and it causes it to swell and cause the seagull to explode.

Answer 4

actually this is a myth first of all their is enough moisture in a birds stomach to activate a alka seltzar. as far as the burping part this also is nonsense only fools believe that. every living animal developes gas in their digestive track. how is gotten rid of may vary however. but if u was to give a human enough alka seltzar a human would also "explode" or rather the stomach would burst burping or not. like the myth of rice at weddings. the bird watching society even mentions that never in the history of the society has a bird dropped dead from eating rice.

Answer 5

Its supposed that birds cant expell gas,so when a seagull eats alka seltzer,it builds up gas in it stomach untill it explodes,I never got a seagull to eat one,however.

Answer 6

They lack the ability to burp. The gas builds up until it ruptures the sea gull's stomach. They don't explode like with a big bang, but the do rupture their stomachs and will die from it.

Answer 7

Because birds can't burp, sounds weird, but it's true, the gas in their system keeps building, pressure builds up, this is the point where you and me would burp, however, for a bird, this pressure becomes more and more intense, until, POP. This happens to all birds.

Answer 8

Leviter, that is a great great answer. I have tried to blow up a bird with a cherry bomb but couldn't ge them to eat it...the burning wick scared them off.

Could you please now explain to my friends that KFC is not mass producing mutant meat that grows on wires?

Answer 9

Urban legend!!!!

http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/birdrice.asp

Answer 10

They can't fart.

Gas builds up, they explode.