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Posted: 26-07-2013 07:08 Post subject:

Meet Jaffa - the one in ten million orange lobster
Wednesday, July 24, 2013 CG_Oscar

JAFFA may sound like an unusual name for a lobster, but that is what staff at Padstow’s National Lobster Hatchery have named their “one in ten million" star attraction.

Most of the lobsters caught around Cornish shores are blue or a mottled calico colour, some can be light brown or very dark blue - but rarely are they orange.

Ben Marshall, senior technician said at the hatchery, said: “This is a very queer specimen, It would be great to have a pair, so that we could breed them and use their babies as natural markers to indicate movements of juveniles when released - Jaffa brings a zesty appeal to our visitor centre.

Research and development officer Dr Carly Daniels said: “There are various theories on why some lobsters are different colours, such as genetic differences, diet, or adaptation to their habitat.
“A lobster may become paler if it lives in a light coloured sandy area, or darker if it lives in a deep wreck. What a lobster feeds upon might also influence its colour. If it feeds on highly pigmented foods such as mussels or crabs it might be dark, or if I feeds on fish it might become paler.

“ Colour morphs are different however, being a genetic variant. In general, colouration is due to several pigments found within the shell. We are unsure of why orange lobsters are orange before being cooked, but it might be that they simply lack protein.’’

Shellfish Express of Paignton donated the animal to the charity.

Read more: http://www.cornishguardian.co.uk/Meet-Jaffa-million-orange-lobster/story-19562386-detail/story.html#ixzz2a83Tl58W

Posted: 26-07-2013 09:30 Post subject:

Aww

Posted: 26-07-2013 12:20 Post subject:

Maybe the Orange Order will adopt him as a mascot.

Posted: 26-07-2013 12:33 Post subject:

Posted: 26-07-2013 12:37 Post subject:

Posted: 26-07-2013 23:00 Post subject:

Reminded me of 'The Jaffe' in Clive Barkers 'The Great & Secret Show'.

Posted: 08-08-2013 08:23 Post subject:

Kennet and Avon grass snakes take to the canal to cool down

[Video: Lock keeper at Caen Hill in Devizes says he has never seen so may grass snakes swimming in the canal.]

A lock keeper at a canal in Wiltshire has said he has never seen so many grass snakes swimming in the water during the recent hot weather.
Alan Giddings has worked at Caen Hill on Kennet and Avon canal for almost 36 years and said it was "truly amazing".
He said: "I've never seen them just come across the towpath and plop into the lock."

Oda Dijksterhuis, of the Canal & River Trust, said warm weather had made them "take to the water more than usual".

Mr Giddings said it happened over two days during the hot spell at the end of July.
He said: "Normally you don't see them or maybe you'll get a glimpse. But during those two hottest days, they came straight out of the undergrowth.
"I saw five separate snakes - and the size of them. I then filled up the lock with water and opened the lock otherwise it would have been difficult for them to get out."

Ms Dijksterhuis said: "Grass snakes are one of a number of reptiles we see on the Kennet and Avon canal, along with the likes of slow worms and the common lizard.
"They're fairly numerous along our canal but it's pretty rare to spot them, so it's amazing that Alan was able to get such close-up video footage."

She said the creatures were normally found in the long grass and among the reed fringes along the waterside.
"Mature grass snakes can grow up to two metres long. They are beautiful, elegant creatures and no danger to humans."

Naturalist and BBC Natural History presenter Brett Westwood said: "Because snakes and other reptiles regulate their body temperatures by basking in sunshine or moving into shade to cool down, it's likely that these snakes are cooling off by swimming.
"Another possible explanation is that they are cashing in on a glut of young frogs or toads which can be very common near the water's edge in early to mid-summer as they begin to emerge on to land.

"It's a very encouraging sighting as grass snakes suffer from having their habitat disrupted by roads, and development, so much so that they can be quite rare now in some areas."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-23599362

Posted: 08-08-2013 12:55 Post subject:

This piece in the Yawniad suggests that dogs' yawns are a sign of empathy

I may have misunderstood my dog's yawns.

These would typically follow one of our intense conversations. At the time, I thought it was unique or unusual - but I see from Youtube that many owners and their canine chums enjoy AwowrorowowooWoaroooo! type conversations. It was hard to avoid the impression that those gutteral tones meant something.

On several occasions, I found the conversation ended with a wide yawn on the side of my furry companion, followed by a sharp nip to my nose.

What I had said to offend her, I know not. But the yawn gave warning of it.

edit: Moved from new thread in wrong forum where it was posted last night. I must have been yawning! Smile

Posted: 08-08-2013 16:24 Post subject:

You know you've made a real connection with your pet dog when they admit "I ruv roo!" in conversation.