This informative post will be published on Saturday along with my usual writing.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

A butcher in the meat shop is 5′ 10″ tall.  What does he weigh?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

Well-adapted to a desert climate, the Roadrunner lives in the deserts of the American southwest as well as portions of Mexico and Central America.

Here are some interesting facts about the Roadrunner:

• Diet:  insects, reptiles, small rodents, spiders, scorpions, eggs, fruits, seeds
• Average lifespan:  7-8 years
• Top speed:  17 mph when running

Roadrunners can fly like any bird, but they prefer to sprint when hunting their prey.  They are frequently seen darting across roads.

In a sense, they provide free pest control in the wild.  Using their quickness, they easily catch their next meal.  Each meal also quenches the bird’s thirst from the fluids found in the captured food.

Both males and females incubate eggs and care for newborn chicks.  Each bird’s foot consists of four toes with two pointing forward and two backward.

Over the years, the Roadrunner has found a unique place in American culture.  First seen in 1949, “Looney Tunes” and “Merrie Melodies” brought the Roadrunner to viewers in numerous animated features.  Automobile manufacturer Plymouth designed a car, named the Roadrunner.  In 1971, driver Richard Petty’s famous #43 captured a Grand National Championship.  His superbird Roadrunner was designed to compete in NASCAR races.

Left:  Roadrunner crossing a road.  right top:  Animated characters roadrunner and wile. e. coyote.  right bottom:  richard petty’s 1971 Roadrunner #43.  photographs courtesy of pinterest.

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

To solve this tricky brain twister, study what you have to work with in the question.  Since it doesn’t give any indication of the butcher’s weight, the word “weigh” must refer to something else.  The butcher weighs meat!