Well, they USED to be real. That's a Eureypterid, a group of Chelicerates from the Devonian (?) that were the first, or among the first, animals to leave the sea and venture onto dry land.
This one is from a TV show starring that Nigel guy, I believe.
Saw one of those shows, thought it was pretty awful, really. I agree with the grouchy scientist from the BBC article. I am glad that I'm not about to encounter one of those monsters on my next vacation, tho.
As others have said, not currently living, but it did exist in the Devonian period. I've actually helped dig up fossils of these guys and their friends :)
FWIW, I loved the Most Dangerous Seas miniseries -- it was more aimed at 8-12 yos, to dramatize (lightly) just how awesome these ancient monsters were.
Also I give Nigel Marven a big pass because he's got the Ugly Overload attitude in spades. :-)
Its commonly called a sea scorpion. Animal Planet has a few specials with current naturalists "going back in time" to film ancient animals as a documentary. Theres one with Jeff Corwin thats been aired a few times lately as well as this one with Nigel. The animals are all CGI and models though.
Well, they USED to be real. That's a Eureypterid, a group of Chelicerates from the Devonian (?) that were the first, or among the first, animals to leave the sea and venture onto dry land.
ReplyDeleteThis one is from a TV show starring that Nigel guy, I believe.
OH. MY. GOD.
ReplyDeletethis article looks like it's referring to the same beast: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3247691.stm
ReplyDeleteSaw one of those shows, thought it was pretty awful, really. I agree with the grouchy scientist from the BBC article. I am glad that I'm not about to encounter one of those monsters on my next vacation, tho.
ReplyDeleteYep, that's a computer-generated eurypterid. Only a little fella, though - the really big ones reached in excess of two metres.
ReplyDeleteI bet it's real.
ReplyDeleteAs others have said, not currently living, but it did exist in the Devonian period. I've actually helped dig up fossils of these guys and their friends :)
ReplyDeleteWe'd better awaken Godzilla, just to be safe.
ReplyDeleteFWIW, I loved the Most Dangerous Seas miniseries -- it was more aimed at 8-12 yos, to dramatize (lightly) just how awesome these ancient monsters were.
ReplyDeleteAlso I give Nigel Marven a big pass because he's got the Ugly Overload attitude in spades. :-)
I also agree with Dawkins on this one, but the thing that bugs me so much is that THIS COULD BE SUCH AN AWESOME SHOW!!!
ReplyDeleteIts commonly called a sea scorpion. Animal Planet has a few specials with current naturalists "going back in time" to film ancient animals as a documentary. Theres one with Jeff Corwin thats been aired a few times lately as well as this one with Nigel. The animals are all CGI and models though.
ReplyDeleteIt's...so...Beautiful...I want one...
ReplyDeleteI'd keep it in a big tank and feed it pieces of chicken or something...
P.S. Technically, this world hasn't spawned crustaceans like those. They're chelicerates. :D
looks like another lobstrosity to me, heh. I thought it looked pretty prehistoric, tho. ^^
ReplyDelete