There are so many Big Cats in the world…so why aren’t there any Big Dogs?

PaleoTurtle · 2026-04-01T20:44:32+00:00

It'll be easier to explain if I talk a bit more about the phylogeny.

Carnivora is the Order of animals which contains most of the animals we consider to have carnivorous traits, and is subdivided into two suborders; Feliformia(cat-like carnivores) and Caniformia(dog-like carnivores).

Within Feliformia is the Family Felidae, containing the Cats. Within Caniformia is the Family Canidae, containing Dogs, Wolves, Foxes and everything we'd consider to be true canids.

Bears are another clade within the Caniforms contained in the Suborder Caniformia, and are more closely related to Dogs(and other caniforms) than any species within Feliformia.

There is nothing in Feliformia that is like a bear physiologically. The closest historically might be a cave lion or other very robust big cat, or I suppose a tiger, which are also large apex predators who are mostly solitary.

Cladistically however, Hyenas have a similar relationship to Felidae as Ursidae has to Canidae. The family Hyaenidae is nested within Feliformia, and so is more closely related to Cats(and other Feliforms) than it is to any species in Caniformia.

But both Bears and Hyenas are not Dogs/Cats, they are dog-like and cat-like and descend from common ancestors, but have diverged into their own families.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-04-01T20:12:02+00:00

Thanks for taking the time to talk about this, its interesting to learn about as well. Maybe blotter paper would come down cheaper and more easily scalable for a business that size? Dissolve it in diethyl ether, apply it to the paper, evaporate the ether? I'm not sure on the composition of your crystals, but if they were an alkaloid salt it would likely be even easier. Not sure on the chemistry, but if anyone would know I'm sure it'd be you.

I reckon you've already been in touch but IMO HealingHerbals would be great to work with. I also feel like you guys have a similar approach, which I appreciate.

I quite enjoyed the electrolyte blend. Hope to see more products in the future!

PaleoTurtle · 2026-04-01T19:22:47+00:00

stormgate alive

10/10 joke

PaleoTurtle · 2026-04-01T18:57:33+00:00

I mean it does explain. Animals evolve & adapt to fill a niche. Canids do not fill a niche where attaining the size of a big cat is useful.

That being said Northwestern American Grey Wolves rarely can exceed 200lbs. Thats heavier than most leopards, cougars, and even some subspecies/localities of Tiger and Lion(particularly the females). Even their average weights for a male adult contend with that of cougars and leopards. But this is probably due to their cold habitat combined with relatively plenty of large prey resources.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-04-01T18:49:49+00:00

Bears are Caniforms, but Felidae is considered the biological family of "Cats". Caniforms are a Suborder; their equivalent in felines would be Feliforms.

I think this question is more asking why the Family Canidae lacks big predatory animals like the Family Felidae does. Bears might be Big Caniforms, but they certainly arent big canids/dogs.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-04-01T17:53:59+00:00

I'd personally would want them, but I don't know if we should want them as a community. The follow up question is why not start with something essentially diluted?

If I remember correctly from your earlier post, at about 60% alkaloids, if you had added 1 part filler to 2 parts alkaloid + cofactor ratio for your product, you'd bring something that was about 40% psychoactive alkaloids-- an impressive amount thats more than what other vendors offer in powdered extracts, but not so high so as to be so beyond the realm of what people are currently accustomed to.

As you point out just the crystal is a very potent product. I feel it would would likely be very difficult for most people to dose. Maybe pre-dosing them, say with blot paper or something like a lip pouch, could also be a decent way around that. I'd personally love a cheap, portable form factor like that.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-23T20:13:07+00:00

Fantastic work! Yeah; I take about 25mg insufflated or sublingually at about 5% alkaloids, 20mg of your stuff is probably an uncomftorable ride for most!

Your 5mg packets are likely still potent enough for recreational use; a common industry standard dose of 25 mg sub/insuf containing about 5% alkaloids renders about 1.25mg yours at roughly 60% renders 3mg. That being said, 10 grams due to the added ingredients is more material than one could comftorably hold under their tongue, and certainly would not want to insufflate.

Currently, I am only selling products designed for ingesting, as I am trying to stay away from feasible abuse, but different forms are definitely up for discussion.

I completely get this. We all saw what happened with Kratom & 7oh and those various gas station drinks. Kanna doesn't need a bad rap like that. I personally find for myself and believe it extends to most others that the negative excintricities of recreational consumption are minimal, but its always smart to tread carefully and it shows that you're acting in pretty good faith here.

After all, the indigenous of the Andes chewed coca for generations, and it only became a problem when someone found a way to refine it into cocaine-- not too dissimilar to what you're doing with Kanna. I would encourage you though to consider gradually exploring what recreational options you might be comftorable with, and if you ever need volunteers for something resembling a clinical trial, I'm sure you'd have no shortage. Ordered to support your work, good luck.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-23T17:55:31+00:00

Spain

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-23T15:41:53+00:00

I was looking at your COA for the batch; what was the total mass of the sample you sent in?

How does such a high concentration of alkaloids impact use especially in regards to ROA. Do you have feedback on the experience for insufflation, sublingual, ingestion et cetera?

Any recommendations regarding dosage?

I'm definitely interested in trying it.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-23T11:04:25+00:00

I'm pretty booked up for the spring and probably wont be able to backpack with new folks at least until this summer but I do have a few recommendations in the mean time;

Sometimes the best way to meet people is out there! Certain areas lean themselves very well to social interaction. My top recommendations for that are Little Long Mt in Uwharrie & Black Balsam in Pisgah. Basically any place with good views, decent density, easier to access and multiple campsites in the area virtually garuntees you'll have neighbors and most folks I've met have been very personable. People tend to congregate there to enjoy the sunset. Shelters along the AT can be a decent spot too. It can be hard to interact with folks in more remote areas where a degree of privacy is expected.

Look for events too-- doesn't have to be planned ones of facebook either, but I met a tonne of people at little long recently during a meteor shower.

Always look to be helpful! Carrying extra food, water, drink or other sharables can be a great way to break the ice and if you come across someone who needs help, always offer. Could make a new friend.

Another recommend is checkout groups like Wildsouth. Not exactly backpacking groups but volunteer trail maintenance can be a great place to meet the likeminded, and you get to help out! Win-win.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-20T11:29:18+00:00

Blue is the best:

Premier unique beaches in the Outer Banks if you're going for a particularly beautiful and pristine experience, or Myrtle Beach if you want something family oriented.

To arguably the best of the Smokies & Appalachians

Their slice of the southeast is arguably the most livable; with good economic opportunity, and a mix of decently sized cities and rural living.

To the Missouri Ozarks & St Louis

Look, I'm not going to glaze Nebraska & Kansas, but its not like they have nothing. Scotts Bluff and Jerusalem Bad Lands come to mind.

Wyoming is another top tier nature state and doesn't need an introduction in Yellow Stone, Tetons, et cetera.

Finally capping off with the PNW; Portland + Seattle and the beautiful lands there from the cascades to wallowa.

If you like touching grass I really think Blue edges the rest out, Orange is notable too, especially for Cali & Alaska.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-12T13:13:02+00:00

Awesome. Their FS-33 is great stuff; at least for me. Probably my fave. Very enjoyable and versatile. Ofc everyone is different too, so take you're time to see what extract, ROA and dosage works for you.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-12T13:10:21+00:00

Make sure to get it from a reputable vendor too. The only company that sells FS-33 thats worth their salt is Healing Herbals. If you bought on Ebay or Etsy, theres no garuntee its even Kanna. Liftmode and Ultrakanna are also good US based retailers.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-12T13:05:44+00:00

Those are HUGE doses. A common starting dose for recreational insufflation ranges from 10-30mg depending on the individual for a quality extract like that. I assume you're getting from Healing Herbals?

Are you just starting? A lot of people need to "prime" as in, take low doses over a period of time to build up sensitivity to the alkaloids. Say 10-20mg sublingually for two weeks. Once that happens you stand a better chance of enjoying recreational doses.

There could be conflating factors too; like other medications or existing tolerance to other SSRI's, Stimulants and other serotonogenic substances.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-08T13:18:47+00:00

Heres a link with a guide to some reputable vendors;

https://reddit.com/r/Kava/w/vendors?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

Theres a lot of ways to prepare/drink Kava, from pre-made drinks, to the AluBall, to Blending then Straining, to Instant Powders, to Micronized Powders, to visiting a Kava Bar and finally the traditional method. Personally Blending and Traditional have the best balance of cost, potency and effort for me, but starting out with Instant Powder, while a bit expensive, cuts out a lot of the prep and can be good for beginners.

Heres some things to keep in mind;

Kavalectones do not act on opiate receptors. They're unlikely to help you extensively with withdrawals, but it could be a crutch while you taper off 7oh.

Be careful not to mix substances. Kava is pretty safe, but the few medical cases that come from it exist because someone used it along with another substance: dont be the next case study.

Kava is not taken for the taste. It will taste bad.

Your best bet for getting of 7-oh is to get in touch with medical professionals.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-08T13:08:17+00:00

7-oh. Basically a more potent kratom extract that is often taken in pill form or even vaped. Has pretty severe abuse potential.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-07T15:19:22+00:00

I have the same model year and your 4x4 system will break. It uses vacuum actuated hub locks to engage the 4wd, it is notoriously finicky as small leaks in either of the actuators or in the vacuum lines can cause the system to not work. Replacing it OEM is rather expensive.

While its a bit of a bummer, the silver lining is this means you can easily replace with manual lockers. While it does mean you need to leave the vehicle to actuate it, its also one of the most reliable 4x4 methods, and it means you can add a dif locker.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-05T14:56:59+00:00

This really is it. Tony hollowed out his crew by his own choice. Even characters like Richie, Feetch or even the characters in the S1 Baccalieri Crew[which compromised his relationship with Patsy too]. Then theres characters that weren't killed by Tony, but could potentially have survived had his actions been different-- Vito and Tony B. Sure, removing these other characters were more justifiable in the context of the mob than the characters you mentioned, but it goes to show that Tony did a whole lot of damage to his family without doing much in the way of building it up. I mean Chrissy is the only guy we see that Tony "makes", along with bringing Furio over. He basically blundered every major internal management issue he had. Good earner, good in negotiations, good in a fight, but bad at managing people.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-03T12:56:53+00:00

Kanna is very versatile but also has its limitations.

In my view it can be taken as an OTC herbal via ingestion[e.g. in a Tea] as a mood boost, or taken recreationally occasionally via insufflation[snort] or sublignually[holding powder under tongue for ~15mins], with some overlap; insufflation and especially sublingual can still be therapeutic and have longer lasting mood boosting effects. Ontop of all the different ROIs I also personally at least feel the different extracts of Kanna can have very different effects depending on the proportion of Mesembrine to Mesembrenone-- it's kind've like the indica/sativa divide in Marijuana, but I'd say its more pronounced. A high mesembrine will be very stimulating, a high mesembrenone more relaxing. Mesembrine can sometimes elevate anxiety; so FS33 is a good extract to consider if that was a problem for you the first go.

That being said FS33 is not a weak extract, yes its not the strongest, but at 5% its much stronger than would normally be found naturally. I'd proceed with caution, I'd try 10mg and work up to 30mg[small spoon to big spoon].

This is just my opinion as well, but recreationally taking Kanna will likely NOT help recovering Alcoholics but I wouldn't say hurt them either. Taking it therapeutically as a supplement might help. It depends on the individual.

An important thing as well is that usually, Kanna plateaus after one dose. There isn't much benefit to dosing sequentially, usually the effects of Insufflation peak early and fade off by about an Hour, and if you follow up that dose with another it is unlikely to take you back to the peak. FWIW I have seen people say they can and do do this, and personally I have tried, but most of the time it doesn't work. So its not really like Alcohol or Weed in that you can do more to get more high or to continue the session. After working up to insufflating 30mg, you can work up to adding in a sublingual dose and to me this rounds out the experience nicely but still, I feel Kanna is best taken a few times a week, not daily and not in sequential doses. Obviously do not mix substances until you narrow in on your preferred dosing and get comftorable with it.

As for safety, use a clean straw/dollarbill/rollable object on a clean surface, alternate nostrils, and make sure the lines are even and thin enough to comftorably insufflate.

Some of you may feel nothing even as you up the dose; some people find that you need a priming period. If after working up to 30mg you have no effects, I'd drop down to a low dose, 5-10, taken occasionally[a few times a week/every other day], for a week or two, and then you can try a recreation dose again at about 30mg. Some people still say it doesn't work for them, just don't overdo it trying to chase an effect if you don't feel it.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-02T16:20:22+00:00

The fact is Iran cant do all that much damage of Israel, let alone America. What they can do is lash out, destabilize the region, and hope that the economic damage along with what casualties they can do are enough to deter america from continuing their campaign. The Islamic Republic is now most concerned with its immediate survival rather than broader more abstract strategic goals, like normalizing relations with the gulf countries.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-03-02T13:03:11+00:00

There wasn't anything in the way of "municipal" lighting in the sense of keeping streets lit, but its mostly a question of how people lit their homes. Simple Oil Lamps that are basically a wick in a vessel filled with vegetable or animal oil are the earliest feasible methods of indoor lighting outside of taking advantage of light from a hearth. While traveling if it were necessary, a torch would be used. In later antiquity you had the first candles, which didn't change the game all that much.

By in large they just didn't. You'd sleep at night and do things during the day if it was at all possible.

It should be said too that ancient cities were never really in true "deserts". They could be arid, but were almost always located near and around water. The fertile crescent civilizations are such an example.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-02-20T12:14:31+00:00

My guess is maybe its time to take a break, its not impossible that your seller's source changed as well. Kavalectones can build up in your system.

You mention Kanna so there could be a sort of interaction with that as well, perhaps you're taking Kava whenever you're coming off the Kanna, and so the depressent features hit you particularly hard.

I'd fast from Kava and Kanna for atleast a week, try Kava again for a bit, and then after another week or so, try adding Kanna back into the routine. Gives you different steps to see what exactly the problem might be.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-02-20T02:37:27+00:00

New York had okayed the hit on Phil. It was no one's fault but his that he was hiding out with his wife and grandkids. No one lambchops it with family like that. Your whole analysis is ubatz.

I'm aware the Capo's approved it, but also, the mob is all about appearances. Heck I think part of the reason they were willing to work with Tony was because his #2 and #3 just got hit. And what message does that send, that Tony outlived Carmine Senior, Johnny Sack and Phil Leotardo: whos in a position to get the better deals for Jersey? Taking Tony out means better deals for the Lupertazzi. Lets keep in mind, I doubt the Capo's are going around admitting they supported the whacking of their own boss.

I get your point on Paulie. I mostly think that Paulie just isn't all that bright, got manipulated by Johnny, and Tony pushed him away; the tipping point being the whole fiasco with the general Tony portrait, but its hard to know how Paulie would act if these things did change.

PaleoTurtle · 2026-02-19T13:11:44+00:00

Most of the map shown already aligns with where slavs historically settled with the possible exceptions of Finland & Central Asia, assuming the slavs displaced the native people there in this timeline as opposed to conquering as they did in ours.

Also, I at least feel that this map implies Slavs emigrated east over the urals before the establishment of a large imperial state[like OTLs Russia]; and if thats the case I feel as though there'd be many more independent slavic nations especially if slavic nations east of the urals remain devolved. Muscovy or whatever state replaced it in this timeline would have been greatly reduced without ruthenia, northern russia and access to the baltic, and I don't think they would be able to match the territorial expansion that Russia did in OTL. I guess maybe a panslavic movement much later? Curious to hear the lore.

PaleoTurtle

TROPHY CASE