this post was submitted on 14 Jun 2025
468 points (99.0% liked)
Science Memes
16258 readers
2515 users here now
Welcome to c/science_memes @ Mander.xyz!
A place for majestic STEMLORD peacocking, as well as memes about the realities of working in a lab.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Behave like an intellectual and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
- Infographics welcome, get schooled.
This is a science community. We use the Dawkins definition of meme.
Research Committee
Other Mander Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !abiogenesis@mander.xyz
- !animal-behavior@mander.xyz
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !arachnology@mander.xyz
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !biology@mander.xyz
- !biophysics@mander.xyz
- !botany@mander.xyz
- !ecology@mander.xyz
- !entomology@mander.xyz
- !fermentation@mander.xyz
- !herpetology@mander.xyz
- !houseplants@mander.xyz
- !medicine@mander.xyz
- !microscopy@mander.xyz
- !mycology@mander.xyz
- !nudibranchs@mander.xyz
- !nutrition@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz
- !photosynthesis@mander.xyz
- !plantid@mander.xyz
- !plants@mander.xyz
- !reptiles and amphibians@mander.xyz
Physical Sciences
- !astronomy@mander.xyz
- !chemistry@mander.xyz
- !earthscience@mander.xyz
- !geography@mander.xyz
- !geospatial@mander.xyz
- !nuclear@mander.xyz
- !physics@mander.xyz
- !quantum-computing@mander.xyz
- !spectroscopy@mander.xyz
Humanities and Social Sciences
Practical and Applied Sciences
- !exercise-and sports-science@mander.xyz
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !self sufficiency@mander.xyz
- !soilscience@slrpnk.net
- !terrariums@mander.xyz
- !timelapse@mander.xyz
Memes
Miscellaneous
founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
Unless it is either perfectly perpendicular to the skin or is already somehow laying in all directions: There can only be one direction. Given a mole moves in tight spaces backwards and forward, both would make sense.
Maybe their fur is like a sequin sweater
No really, this is a real quality mole fur has
This is a mathematical problem with no solution, there has to be a cowlick on a sphere. Perhaps the mole avoids this problem by not being a sphere, where there is a possible solution
It's very short and perpendicular to the skin. It feels like velvet.
But it’s not completely covered in fur. A partially hairy sphere doesn’t need a cowlick.
I dont remember learning about moles in math. Chemistry, yes, but I don't think moles care much about topology.
However, if we assume an ideal mole in empty space with no air resistance, we would see how they have this property: their hair follicles would, in the absence of outside interference, stand straight up. So, its technically more accurate to say that every direction of petting a mole is equally wrong.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hairy_ball_theorem
Someone else covered it in another reply, but moles have bald areas. Hairy Ball only applies when it's entirely covered.
Edit: other comment
Cowlick doesn't go against what the post is saying
Their hair can lay in any direction at anytime
It's not saying that you can make their hair all perfect in any direction.
A topological sphere so unless moles are actually a torus then it's still not possible.
Good news, vertebrates are tori
Unless they wear a whig.
they are however usually not hairy on the inside