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rynner2 What a Cad!
Great Old One Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Total posts: 21362 Location: Under the moon Gender: Male |
 Posted: 26-07-2013 07:08 Post subject: |
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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 |
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| cherrybomb Skating the thin crust
Great Old One Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Total posts: 1005 Location: Sitting on the roof at dusk Gender: Female |
| Posted: 26-07-2013 09:30 Post subject: |
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Aww  |
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| ramonmercado Psycho Punk
Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Total posts: 17931 Location: Dublin Gender: Male |
| Posted: 26-07-2013 12:20 Post subject: |
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| Maybe the Orange Order will adopt him as a mascot. |
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| Heckler20 The Sockpuppet of
Cthulhu's Prodigal Son Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Total posts: 4702 Location: In the Nostril of The Crawling Chaos Gender: Unknown |
| Posted: 26-07-2013 12:33 Post subject: |
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| ramonmercado wrote: | | Maybe the Orange Order will adopt him as a mascot. |
That would be shellfish of them. |
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| ramonmercado Psycho Punk
Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Total posts: 17931 Location: Dublin Gender: Male |
| Posted: 26-07-2013 12:37 Post subject: |
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| Heckler20 wrote: | | ramonmercado wrote: | | Maybe the Orange Order will adopt him as a mascot. |
That would be shellfish of them. |
A claws in their constitution allows it. |
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| Spudrick68 Great Old One Joined: 08 Jun 2008 Total posts: 1110 Location: sunny Morecambe Age: 45 Gender: Male |
| Posted: 26-07-2013 23:00 Post subject: |
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| Reminded me of 'The Jaffe' in Clive Barkers 'The Great & Secret Show'. |
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| rynner2 What a Cad!
Great Old One Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Total posts: 21362 Location: Under the moon Gender: Male |
| Posted: 08-08-2013 08:23 Post subject: |
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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 |
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| JamesWhitehead Piffle Prospector Joined: 02 Aug 2001 Total posts: 5779 Location: Manchester, UK Gender: Male |
| Posted: 08-08-2013 12:55 Post subject: |
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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!  |
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| gncxx King-Size Canary
Great Old One Joined: 25 Aug 2001 Total posts: 13555 Location: Eh? Gender: Male |
| Posted: 08-08-2013 16:24 Post subject: |
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| You know you've made a real connection with your pet dog when they admit "I ruv roo!" in conversation. |
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| ramonmercado Psycho Punk
Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Total posts: 17931 Location: Dublin Gender: Male |
| Posted: 14-08-2013 23:28 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Badger Unearths Medieval Graves, Leads Archaeologists To Warrior Burial Site In Germany
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/13/badger-medieval-warrior-graves-tomb-germany_n_3749763.html
The Huffington Post | By Sara Gates
Posted: 08/13/2013 5:39 pm EDT | Updated: 08/14/2013 10:20 am EDT
Archaeologists may often rely on research or hunches to lead them to a discovery. But it seems two archaeology hobbyists in Germany needed only the assistance of a helpful badger.
In a striking find last autumn that was publicized this week, a badger unearthed medieval graves in the eastern state of Brandenburg.
According to Germany's The Local, researchers from the University of Göttingen said the Slavic burial site contains the remains of at least eight people -- several warriors and two lords.
(Story continues below)
medieval skeleton
Lars Wilhelm, who lives on a property near the site, explained to Spiegel Online that he first realized the badger had uncovered something of significance when he spotted what appeared to be a pelvic bone jutting out from the ground near the animal's den.
"It wasn't exactly surprising to us because a whole field of ancient graves had been found on the other side of the road in the 1960s," Wilhelm told the publication. "So we pushed a camera into the badger's sett and took photos by remote control. We found pieces of jewelry, retrieved them and contacted the authorities."
Among the 12th-century findings, archaeologists discovered two well-preserved skeletons, one of which was likely a warrior because of the condition of his bones and the placement of a sword at his side. Researchers also believe two of the graves belong to noblemen, since bronze bowls were found at their feet.
While badgers are known for their excellent digging skills, this may be the first time one of the striped mammals has actually "helped" excavate a tomb. Last year, badgers-turned-grave-robbers became a big problem for one British cemetery after the creatures burrowed under coffins, upset graves and toppled headstones. |
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| rynner2 What a Cad!
Great Old One Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Total posts: 21362 Location: Under the moon Gender: Male |
| Posted: 18-08-2013 22:37 Post subject: |
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Swan brings traffic to a halt on road bridge
7:42pm Friday 16th August 2013 in News
A SWAN caused a flap on a its namesake bridge in the middle of Weymouth.
The bird brought traffic to a standstill when it landed on the Swannery road bridge over Radipole Lake.
Motorists watched as the creature waddled along the carriageway before Andy Cross decided to come to its rescue and help it across the road.
Leanne Cross, who took pictures of the drama, said: “We were driving over the bridge when I noticed this.
“No-one wanted to move over or stop to help it across the road so as I drove closer I slowed to a stop to hold back the traffic and my husband got out and guided it over to the side so it could join its mates.
“There are some caring people left in the world.”
http://www.thisisdorset.net/news/10618886.IN_A_FLAP__Bird_ruffles_feathers_on_Swannery_bridge/?ref=ms
With photos. (My parents used to live in Weymouth, so I know that bridge.)
I had a similar experience in Hayle, last year, which I posted here:
http://www.forteantimes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1258753#1258753
My pics are also here, somewhat larger, about half-way down the page:
http://haylenewbridgenext.weebly.com/sep-2.html |
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| ramonmercado Psycho Punk
Joined: 19 Aug 2003 Total posts: 17931 Location: Dublin Gender: Male |
| Posted: 21-08-2013 21:20 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Seized Brazil pet monkey back with family
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23774696
Capuchin monkeys are native to South America and protected by Brazilian law
A pet monkey seized by environmental police in Brazil, after living for nearly 40 years with a family, has been returned after an injunction order.
The capuchin monkey named Chico was taken to a nature reserve two weeks ago, following an anonymous complaint.
Thousands of Brazilians signed online petitions asking for it to be returned to its owners in Sao Carlos.
Biologists have now told the family to adapt the monkey's diet and living conditions to specific requirements.
They have also discovered that despite the fact it was named and treated as a male, it is in fact a female monkey.
'Looks like a boy'
However Chico's 71-year-old owner, Elizete Farias Carmona, said she would not change the way she treats "her son" nor use the female name, Carla, that biologists have given the animal.
"After all, it looks like a boy doesn't he?" she told Brazilian Globo TV moments after an emotional reunion.
The animal jumped out of a cage straight into the arms of its owner, after travelling some 300km (190 miles) from a nature reserve in the city of Assis.
In Mrs Carmona's house, Chico has his own bed and was fed with milk, fruits and his favourite Brazilian dishes.
But specialists will now keep now keep an eye on the family to make sure the monkey only gets fruits and appropriate rations.
Mrs Carmona said she had been given the animal in 1976 by a family friend who worked as a lorry driver.
In her injunction, the Brazilian judge Gabriela Muller Carioba Attanasio argued that there was no point in trying to change the monkey's environment when it was close to the end of its life expectancy.
"Some studies suggest that animals kept in captivity for long years cannot feed themselves nor fend for themselves," the judge wrote.
Campaigners say Brazilian law is flawed, as it allows wild animals from other parts of the world, such as tigers, lions and many types of birds, to be kept at home. But wild native animals cannot be kept as pets. |
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| JamesWhitehead Piffle Prospector Joined: 02 Aug 2001 Total posts: 5779 Location: Manchester, UK Gender: Male |
| Posted: 02-09-2013 13:49 Post subject: |
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This Crazy Mail Story is in Breaking News.
The Goldfish Variations versus Trout Quintet?
Cod be in my Head & Understanding versus Sole of my Saviour?
Eel be seeing you in all the Old Familiar Plaices? versus Tempura Mutantor.
I don't get it! My herring must be going.  |
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| staticgirl Following my fish Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Total posts: 478 Location: Hertfordshire Age: 41 Gender: Female |
| Posted: 04-09-2013 11:37 Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Lost pet posters blamed for helping spread Brighton and Hove tree disease
Clumsy drivers and pet owners pinning up missing notices are damaging trees - with some being chopped down.
Tree experts have warned that pet owners pinning up missing dog and cat posters puts the city's trees at risk to pests and diseases.
Residents are being advised to tie notices on to trees using string instead of using pins or staples, which create tiny holes that make the trees more susceptible to parasites and diseases.
And Brighton and Hove City Council said three trees in Springfield Road, Brighton, and several in Shaftsbury Road, Brighton, had been removed because of “excessive bark damage by vehicles”.
Cabinet maker Bert Buri said: “I have lived on Springfield Road since 1967 when there were only four or five cars in the whole street.
“Gradually over time the street has become more congested but as the trees have always been here I believe it is the fault of drivers for hitting them.”
Company director Dominic Margles, 29, from Shaftesbury Road, said: “The council could paint the bottom metre and a half of trees white to increase their visibility to drivers.”
A spokeswoman for charity Trees for Cities said: “Many of the most significant trees in our towns and cities were planted more than a century ago, so although this living legacy is wonderful, it is under serious pressure and in steep decline.”
Tree campaigner Millie Ferguson, who led the campaign to save the elm tree in Vernon Terrace in Brighton, said: “I think people have to recognise the bigger picture, that everything is a living thing and is deserving of consideration.”
Brighton and Hove City Council's member for environment Councillor Pete West said: “We are not aware of any trees being lost as a direct result of fixing posters, but we would advise the public to avoid damaging the bark with nails or pins as this can introduce fungal or bacterial disease.
“However, three trees have been removed from Springfield Road and several from Shaftsbury Road due to excessive bark damage by vehicles.
“In addition several trees have been lost in the city as a result of road traffic accidents and have been replaced.” |
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| rynner2 What a Cad!
Great Old One Joined: 13 Dec 2008 Total posts: 21362 Location: Under the moon Gender: Male |
| Posted: 06-09-2013 08:30 Post subject: |
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Alaska feline mayor Stubbs the cat suffers dog attack
A cat which was elected mayor of an Alaskan town 15 years ago has been badly injured in a dog attack.
Stubbs the cat, mayor of Talkeetna - which has no human mayor - is receiving veterinary care.
The cat, aged 16, was elected in a write-in campaign 15 years ago.
In the wake of Saturday's attack, Stubbs has been left with a punctured lung, bruised hips, a long deep gash on his side and a fractured sternum, the AP news agency reports.
Talkeetna, 115 miles (185km) north of the state's main city, Anchorage, is dotted with artist shops and is said to be the inspiration for the US TV series Northern Exposure
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23971537 |
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