Experiments seem to show that it is the swirling movement of the matador's cape that excites them. Ninety-nine percent of all lobsters die a few weeks after hatching. In fact, the odds are 10,000 to 1 against any larval lobster living long enough to end up as a lobster dinner. Animals attend church services on St. Anthony's Day in Mexico, and many other places. This popular saint, who is regarded as a healer of people and animals, is asked to protect the animals.
People decorate the animals with flowers and ribbons for the occasion.
In some rural areas, peasants also bring bags of insects and worms to be blessed. They hope that this will prevent the creatures from damaging the crops. In Maryland, a state law requires sail power a certain distance from the shore. However, many birds eat twice their weight in food a day. Emus cannot walk backwards.