Cataclysm-dda: Rats have the vomiting mutation but in real life are completely unable to vomit.

Created on 23 Aug 2016 · 10Comments · Source: CleverRaven/Cataclysm-DDA

In the game, the Rat mutation tree contains the vomitous mutation, but in real life rats are completely unable to vomit.

They have a powerful barrier between their stomach and esophagus, can't independently control their diaphragm and don't have a neural connection between their brain stem and vicera. From: http://www.ratbehavior.org/vomit.htm

Source

Chezzo

Most helpful comment

Also, why does nausea lead to intestinal fortitude? Wouldn't strong stomach make more sense?

Reclusive-reptile on 27 Aug 2016

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All 10 comments

Good catch!

Rivet-the-Zombie on 24 Aug 2016

According to my rat keeping friend "Yes, rats cannot vomit. They do pica instead. Eating stuff like dirt etc to stop nausea".

Well... That will be an interesting mutation.

One issue with just removing this from the mutation category. It is a preq for the Intestinal Fortitude (EATPOISON) mutation. So if we remove that, rats cannot get that anymore.

Soyweiser on 24 Aug 2016

One issue with just removing this from the mutation category. It is a preq for the Intestinal Fortitude (EATPOISON) mutation. So if we remove that, rats cannot get that anymore.

Or we could re-route around it using some other/new mutation.

Rivet-the-Zombie on 24 Aug 2016

Yeah, I don't know enough about how the requirements of mutations work to easily fix that.

Edit:
We could add a 'pica' mutation that allows you to eat dirt to stop nausea, and use it as a replacement.

Soyweiser on 24 Aug 2016

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I like that idea!

Rivet-the-Zombie on 24 Aug 2016

Yeah, me too, when this issue is fixed, and there is no pica addition, lets not forget to add that to a different issue then. (when this one is closed).

Soyweiser on 24 Aug 2016

Should pica allow the mutant to eat wood? Rodents of all types chew on wood to maintain dental health.

Reclusive-reptile on 27 Aug 2016

Also, why does nausea lead to intestinal fortitude? Wouldn't strong stomach make more sense?

Reclusive-reptile on 27 Aug 2016

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There are several notes in the mutation file that show that going from nausea to intestinal fortitude was a conscious choice.

"note" : "Yes, you eventually got over the massive digestive upset. Mutations aren't easy on a system!",

And allowing you to eat wood while nice would just add more special cases. I would be happy with just one option being implemented at all. (Wood prob also needs fangs)

Soyweiser on 27 Aug 2016

This thread hasn't seen an update in 9 months. Closing for now. If anyone is still interested, I can reopen... or feel free to just make a new issue!