An M. Heard reported that toads bounced off his umbrella and hopped about on the pavement around him for up to 1200 feet one day in June, 1833 in Jouy-en-Josas near Versailles, France. Heard said the toads were as numerous as the raindrops.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
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Showing posts with label reptiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reptiles. Show all posts
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
25'+ Crocodile in Queensland Area
Pastor Elton Thompson is known for his love of crocodiles, which are plentiful in the Queensland, Australia region. In late November, 2010, Pastor Thompson photographed crocodile tracks alongside the Norman River in Normanton. The measurements lead experts to estimate the creature's size at over 8m length, and 11/2 to 2 meters wide! Though Pastor Thompson admits he has not seen the crocodile himself, several in the area claim to have and he believes the beast may even have been filmed and/or photographed by one or more of these witnesses.
A replica of a slightly larger crocodile reportedly shot in the 1950s dominates the town's main street. Pastor Thompson says the creature he is tracking is comparable in size. The Queensland area was inundated with torrential rains and flooding last week, meaning the giant reptile could be anywhere by now. However, Pastor Thompson noted residents were not concerned with the creature when they knew it to be in the river, as crocodiles are common to the region.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
A replica of a slightly larger crocodile reportedly shot in the 1950s dominates the town's main street. Pastor Thompson says the creature he is tracking is comparable in size. The Queensland area was inundated with torrential rains and flooding last week, meaning the giant reptile could be anywhere by now. However, Pastor Thompson noted residents were not concerned with the creature when they knew it to be in the river, as crocodiles are common to the region.
© C Harris Lynn, 2011
Monday, September 28, 2009
Snake in China Gets a Leg Up on Evolution
A woman in China heard something late one night. She turned on the light to discover a snake with a foot clinging to her wall. Go ahead, I'll wait... Yes: a snake with a foot. What? Oh yes, on her wall - but that, the foot thing is...
The woman says the snake was working its way along her wall with its claw! She became so frightened, she grabbed a shoe and beat the serpent to death, but she thought to preserve it in alcohol. It is now being studied at a university in Nanchang.
The snake is pencil-thin and 16" long. The area around the foot is larger than the rest, giving it a swollen appearance; on first sight, it looks like the snake ate something which burst from its side. However, scientists say it is most likely a mutated specimen. A fairly common snake mutation - possibly related - sees specimens with two heads! These are often killed and saved as good luck charms. Experts say the heads have a tendency to attack one another!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
The woman says the snake was working its way along her wall with its claw! She became so frightened, she grabbed a shoe and beat the serpent to death, but she thought to preserve it in alcohol. It is now being studied at a university in Nanchang.
The snake is pencil-thin and 16" long. The area around the foot is larger than the rest, giving it a swollen appearance; on first sight, it looks like the snake ate something which burst from its side. However, scientists say it is most likely a mutated specimen. A fairly common snake mutation - possibly related - sees specimens with two heads! These are often killed and saved as good luck charms. Experts say the heads have a tendency to attack one another!
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Australian Toad Hunt
In 1935, the poisonous cane toad was introduced to Australia from South America. The intent was pest control, but it backfired; now, the cane toads themselves are the pest. And the population of Queensland has had enough.
A festive culling of the herd known as Toad Day Out has them collecting the fat, warty creatures. Many will be turned into fertilizer, some will be given to the University, and the largest will be stuffed by a taxidermist, presumably for display in museums and similar showplaces.
The cane toads are believed to be responsible for the deaths of crocodiles, which unknowingly ate them.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
A festive culling of the herd known as Toad Day Out has them collecting the fat, warty creatures. Many will be turned into fertilizer, some will be given to the University, and the largest will be stuffed by a taxidermist, presumably for display in museums and similar showplaces.
The cane toads are believed to be responsible for the deaths of crocodiles, which unknowingly ate them.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Komodo Dragon Attacks Ranger at His Desk
"In 25 years on the job, I've never been attacked," an Indonesian park ranger told the press. That all changed this week when Main (many Indonesians only use one name) was attacked by a komodo dragon which crept in through a window and assaulted him at his desk.
Main suffered lacerations to his hand and foot and said he is "lucky [he] survived." In 2007, an eight-year old boy was killed by a komodo dragon in the only fatality (involving the giant lizards) on record in 33 years.
Komodo dragons can only be found on three islands in the wild, including Komodo Island (from whence they got their name). This attack happened on the isle of Rinca.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Main suffered lacerations to his hand and foot and said he is "lucky [he] survived." In 2007, an eight-year old boy was killed by a komodo dragon in the only fatality (involving the giant lizards) on record in 33 years.
Komodo dragons can only be found on three islands in the wild, including Komodo Island (from whence they got their name). This attack happened on the isle of Rinca.
© C Harris Lynn, 2009
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Albino Alligator?
It's been a heck of a month for oddly-colored animals, and The OddBlog has brought you the story of each as I've become aware of them. And so is the case in Florida's suspected albino alligator, though this one has an ending.
Residents and visitors to Florida's Indian River Mall began reporting an albino alligator in the region earlier in the month. Albino alligators are extremely rare (there are only an estimated 30 in the United States), so authorities checked it out. As they discovered, the alligator is not albino; the discoloration is the result of minerals found in an artesian well nearby.
You can check out pictures of the gator and read the whole story here.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Residents and visitors to Florida's Indian River Mall began reporting an albino alligator in the region earlier in the month. Albino alligators are extremely rare (there are only an estimated 30 in the United States), so authorities checked it out. As they discovered, the alligator is not albino; the discoloration is the result of minerals found in an artesian well nearby.
You can check out pictures of the gator and read the whole story here.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Turtle Missing Link Discovered
The earliest turtles known to live in the water have been discovered on the Scottish isle of Skye.
Fossils of the 164-million year-old Eileanchelys waldmani were discovered embedded in rock on the Scottish isle of Skye in the bay of Cladach a'Ghlinne. The discovery included four complete turtles, as well as remains from at least two others. These are the most complete specimens from the Middle Jurassic period to-date.
The Eileanchelys waldmani is believed to be the "missing link" between ancient and modern turtles. The remains are being housed at the National Museums Scotland at Edinburgh.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Fossils of the 164-million year-old Eileanchelys waldmani were discovered embedded in rock on the Scottish isle of Skye in the bay of Cladach a'Ghlinne. The discovery included four complete turtles, as well as remains from at least two others. These are the most complete specimens from the Middle Jurassic period to-date.
The Eileanchelys waldmani is believed to be the "missing link" between ancient and modern turtles. The remains are being housed at the National Museums Scotland at Edinburgh.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Pastor Busted in Snake Sting
Wildlife officials in Kentucky arrested a pastor who had over 50 poisonous snakes in his home.
The arrests came following an undercover sting meant to retard the area's illegal snake trade. Gregory James Coots, 36, is the pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name in Middlesboro. A Tennessee woman died in 1995 after being bitten by a rattlesnake during a service there. Her husband died three years later from the same thing in Northeastern Alabama.
Coots was charged with buying, selling, and possessing illegal reptiles.
Seriously disturbed Christian Fundamentalists sometimes handle snakes and drink Strychnine as part of their worship, based on a Biblical verse which intimates that those pure of faith have nothing to fear.
Taken from Coots home were 42 copperheads, 11 rattlesnakes, three cottonmouths (water moccasins), and a Western Diamondback (rattlesnake).
The arrests came following an undercover sting meant to retard the area's illegal snake trade. Gregory James Coots, 36, is the pastor of the Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name in Middlesboro. A Tennessee woman died in 1995 after being bitten by a rattlesnake during a service there. Her husband died three years later from the same thing in Northeastern Alabama.
Coots was charged with buying, selling, and possessing illegal reptiles.
Seriously disturbed Christian Fundamentalists sometimes handle snakes and drink Strychnine as part of their worship, based on a Biblical verse which intimates that those pure of faith have nothing to fear.
Taken from Coots home were 42 copperheads, 11 rattlesnakes, three cottonmouths (water moccasins), and a Western Diamondback (rattlesnake).
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Croc Found off South Carolina!
When officials ordered everyone out of the water Thursday, they weren't worried about sharks.
Turns out, a 6' American crocodile was in the surf off the coast of South Carolina. Officials are fairly certain someone had released it and it had not somehow migrated up the coast from its natural Floridian habitat. Though they admitted that is a possibility.
Hundreds were ordered from the waters and the beach was closed until the creature was captured. The crocodile will be sent to a reserve in Florida.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Turns out, a 6' American crocodile was in the surf off the coast of South Carolina. Officials are fairly certain someone had released it and it had not somehow migrated up the coast from its natural Floridian habitat. Though they admitted that is a possibility.
Hundreds were ordered from the waters and the beach was closed until the creature was captured. The crocodile will be sent to a reserve in Florida.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
One Gen-Xer Down, Too Many More to Go
I am no fan of my generation. Let's see what we've given the world so far: Techno music, Starbuck's, GHB and XTC (not to mention meth), the seemingly everlasting concept that everyone's a winner even when they're a complete fucking loser... which brings us to the 36-year old Kentucky man who thought it was a good idea to keep dangerous, poisonous lizards as pets.
This genius was harboring seven rattlesnakes, a gaboon viper, a king cobra, an iguana, two monitor lizards, two alligators, a boa constrictor, and a python. Keeping "undomesticated" (in quotes because such creatures cannot be domesticated) lizards, snakes, and amphibians as "pets" became all the rage in the 1990s - the practice being taken up largely by morons who liked to drop XTC in their GHB-laden drinks, do a little meth, and "rave 'til dawn" to Techno music.
This particular moron was charged with 10 counts of possessing dangerous animals, as well as 15 counts of transporting wildlife into the state. The creatures were seized, but Dr. Rave-a-Tron wasn't there to see it; he was having his fingers amputated, following a snakebite.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
This genius was harboring seven rattlesnakes, a gaboon viper, a king cobra, an iguana, two monitor lizards, two alligators, a boa constrictor, and a python. Keeping "undomesticated" (in quotes because such creatures cannot be domesticated) lizards, snakes, and amphibians as "pets" became all the rage in the 1990s - the practice being taken up largely by morons who liked to drop XTC in their GHB-laden drinks, do a little meth, and "rave 'til dawn" to Techno music.
This particular moron was charged with 10 counts of possessing dangerous animals, as well as 15 counts of transporting wildlife into the state. The creatures were seized, but Dr. Rave-a-Tron wasn't there to see it; he was having his fingers amputated, following a snakebite.
© C Harris Lynn, 2008
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Rare Indian Crocs Dying Inexplicably
The gharial is a crocodilian reptile with a long snout for catching fish. They are one of the longest crocodiles, growing up to 20' in length and are sometimes called the Indian Crocodile. Gharial have been on the endangered species list for decades. Indian government funding has allowed for the Indian Crocodile to be bred in captivity and around 500 were released into the wild in 1986, but few are thought to have survived.
At least 20 have been found dead along the shores of the Chambal River in India over the past 3 days. Analysis shows cirrhosis of the liver to be the cause of death. Poisoning is not suspected, as no fish have died.
Some experts believe the gharial are unable to adapt to conditions outside of the zoos in which they were raised, while others blame pollution and other factors.
At least 20 have been found dead along the shores of the Chambal River in India over the past 3 days. Analysis shows cirrhosis of the liver to be the cause of death. Poisoning is not suspected, as no fish have died.
Some experts believe the gharial are unable to adapt to conditions outside of the zoos in which they were raised, while others blame pollution and other factors.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Ancient Reptilian Evidence Changes History
Researchers believe the oldest evidence for reptiles was found this past October in Canada. The 315 million-year-old tracks were found in the sea cliffs at New Brunswick by UK scientist, Dr. Howard Falcon-Lang, who called the discovery "pure luck."
The fossils suggest that reptiles first left the water and walked on land at least one to three million years earlier than previously thought. If this is true, the implications are staggering across all fields of science and philosophy.
While they cannot be sure, there were only a handful of reptiles around the time that could have left the footprints, and they think it was the Hylonomus lyelli.
Before the discovery, the oldest evidence for reptiles was thought to be skeletal fossils of the Hylonomus lyelli, found in the 19th-Century.
The fossils suggest that reptiles first left the water and walked on land at least one to three million years earlier than previously thought. If this is true, the implications are staggering across all fields of science and philosophy.
While they cannot be sure, there were only a handful of reptiles around the time that could have left the footprints, and they think it was the Hylonomus lyelli.
Before the discovery, the oldest evidence for reptiles was thought to be skeletal fossils of the Hylonomus lyelli, found in the 19th-Century.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Gharials Released in India
Gharials are crocodile-like animals, which can grow up to 6 meters in length, is one of the longest reptiles and are endangered. For the past 20 years, zookeepers have been rearing them in the zoo and have released over 500 into the wild since 1986, but very few have lived and experts do not know why.
Some theories include the animals' failure to adapt to new habitat outside of captivity and pollution to the environment, but no one can say for certain. They have decided to start tagging them and tracking them by satellite, in hopes of discovering the answer.
The gharial has already disappeared from most major rivers, but the Nandan Karan zoo has 25 adults and 40 juveniles. They have also added 50 hatchlings to their list in the last two months.
- BBC
Some theories include the animals' failure to adapt to new habitat outside of captivity and pollution to the environment, but no one can say for certain. They have decided to start tagging them and tracking them by satellite, in hopes of discovering the answer.
The gharial has already disappeared from most major rivers, but the Nandan Karan zoo has 25 adults and 40 juveniles. They have also added 50 hatchlings to their list in the last two months.
- BBC
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