PSA - Tortoise Mate Wanted

Anyone out there have a spare female Giant Tortoise from Pinta Island of the Galapagos? The authorities are offering $10,000 USD to anyone who can find a mate for this tortoise, known as Solitario George. You see, he is the last of his kind. There are no other tortoises of his species left. If you do have one and want to claim the money, hurry up and present the lass. Times a-wastin' - these animals only live to be about 200 years old!

Photo courtesy: Yahoo!

Sea Monsters

Here are some dead giant squids being combed over by folks in lab coats. These things are huge and are the bane of both sperm whales and the scientists who have been trying to document them alive. Check out the hooks and barbs on the tentacles.

Is it really any surprise that these beasts are the stuff of sea monster legends?

Photo courtesy: knuttz.yi.org

UPDATE: Amanda corrects me. This is a colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni). Thanks, Amanda.

As Promised - the Blonde Pig

They say blondes have more fun, and this pig proves it. Look at it, grinning and showing off, clearly enjoying life. Don't you envy it, even a little?

Combine this pig with its good friend, Black Pig, and you have an image of racial harmony. Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder would be so proud.

Thanks for the photos, Mark.

Kangaroo Be Gone

Dingos are typically handsome animals. Not this one.

These Australian dogs are in the news once again, but this time for a good thing. Researchers have discovered that dingo urine is a powerful kangaroo deterent.

I have a few of questions. Who thought to test that? Who is responsible for collecting dingo pee?

I didn't know that our friends down under were so eager to scare off kangaroos. You learn something knew everyday. Let me know if you have any kangaroo horror stories, or if you know of any ugly photos of them.

Photo courtesy: Yahoo!

Secret Identity Revealed ...

Been wondering what the answer to Thursday's quiz was? Want the secret identify revealed? Well, I have a question to ask before the big reveal: who are you, Rasmus?! You determined that the big eye belonged to an emu, and then that the blue butt belong to a mandrill. Who are you? You are the mongoose to my cobra ... or the cobra to my mongoose (I'm not so good with animals ...). Either way, you have foiled me twice - each time within minutes of posting.






Yes, the blue butt belongs to a mandrill. You can thank Clay for these photos. If you know what's good for you, you won't comment on a mandrill's butt to its face - they don't take kindly to mockery. And they are violent.

Chinese Take-out

Continuing with the Chinese theme, let's focus on their cuisine. Charlie (self-proclaimed 'white guy in China') has gotten to know some of the food items available for the daring palette ... such as cicadas and scorpions. Oh, yummy.

I forgot to ask what kind of glaze was used.

Man-made Addict

Come on, people, this is ridiculous. Isn't it enough that we are screwing with our own lungs? Do we really have to spread our addictions now to chimps? We fear species-jumping viruses, but what about species-jumping addictions?

But then, the Chinese government isn't known for being socially progressive ...

Thanks for the photo, Yahoo!

Huge Hog

This email was forwarded to me (thanks Melissa), and www.snopes.com verified the following details:

"We verified the details with Larry Earley himself, who told us:

"I shot a log boar hog on August 27, 2004. The pictures you have were taken on my property close to where the hog was shot. I have many more photos. I do not know the origin of the story on the Internet. It did not come from me. Half of the details are accurate. I shot the hog once with a .44 magnum (the one in the photo). The hog charged towards me after he was shot but he only covered about 20 feet of ground. I was 10 yards away when I shot, and I was backing up while keeping the crosshairs on the hog as he was moving towards me. That is typical with wild hogs, that is what makes them fun to hunt.

The hog was too big for scales that were available to me on a Friday evening (500 lb. scales), so we decided to let the processor estimate the weight for us. Smokin' Oak Sausage Co. in Branford, F,L did the processing for me and he put the weight between 1100 and 1200 lbs. The tusk on the right side was 8-1/4" above the gum line and the right tusk was broken and measured 5" above the gum. The hide with the head was weighed at 284 lbs. The taxidermist I am using measured the neck at 42" around and the length from his eye socket to the tip of his nose at 11-3/4". I just found out about the story on the internet yesterday. I think that it is hilarious that all of this has been going on. I'll be glad to talk to anyone about my hog."

Yikes, this is one huge pig. Still, all that bacon ...