OK, I know this thread died out (asphyxiated??) a couple of days ago. But I just saw a youtube video that immediately called this thread to mind.
I didn't post the link, because some might think it kinda gross. But if the OP had been at AK when she made the original observation, this is what she may have encountered.
If you put Taco bell hippo into the Youtube search you'll see what I mean.
Do people really have conscious control over this?