Croc Attacks Shark!
This shark went where it shouldn't have. He's getting a taste of his own medicine...
posted by markus at 8/31/2005 03:21:00 PM
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
This shark went where it shouldn't have. He's getting a taste of his own medicine...
Turtle Head
A snapping turtle bit a boy on his wiener last month while swimming in a lake in Germany. Ouch!
posted by markus at 8/31/2005 01:37:00 PM
Street Shark
A shark was spotted cruising the streets of New Orleans in Katrina's aftermath. I wonder what else is lurking around out there... You can donate to the red cross here.
posted by markus at 8/31/2005 09:15:00 AM
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Bjork Makes Like A Fishie...
She said she would never act again after Dancer In The Dark, but Bjork will be playing a whale in her next film...
posted by markus at 8/30/2005 12:52:00 PM
Hey Look, A Giant Wa . . .
Two guys taking a peaceful stroll along the Kalk Bay Harbour Wall in Cape Town got a surprise when a 30 foot wave came along and swept them out to sea! Luckily, some locals jumped in and rescued them.
posted by markus at 8/30/2005 09:10:00 AM
Monday, August 29, 2005
Kid Gets Slapped Silly By Giant Fish
4-year-old Byron Grey got knocked over when a giant sunfish jumped into his family's boat and landed right on him! They spotted the fish from their boat and went to take a closer look but the fish disappeared. The next thing they knew, the fish had jumped out of the water and landed right on top of little Byron. These fish can grow up to 10 feet long and are supposedly not dangerous. Although... a man was killed once when a giant sunfish landed on him and squashed him to death... Luckily, Byron got away with just a few cuts and scratches.
posted by markus at 8/29/2005 07:46:00 AM
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Giant Mako Caught Off Fire Island
Joe finally caught this 10 foot mako shark Tuesday after it took the bait and dragged his boat backwards a quarter-mile!
posted by markus at 8/28/2005 10:43:00 AM
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
Don't Go Swimming In This Lake
Two Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks were caught in a freshwater lake in Texas this week. Nobody seems to know how they got there...
posted by markus at 8/26/2005 09:00:00 AM
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Another Bite At Myrtle Beach
This is the second one this week and the third this month. 17-year-old Nicholas was attacked Monday afternoon... probably by a blacktip shark again. Oh, and his girlfriend got stung by a jellyfish on Sunday...
posted by markus at 8/25/2005 05:04:00 PM
Jellyfish Are Lazy
If you're gonna go swimming where box jellyfish are lurking wait 'til the afternoon. This is naptime for these guys. At around 3 to 4pm they sink to the bottom of the sea and stay motionless for hours at a time... but don't step down there! They have enough poison to kill an adult human in about 4 minutes.
posted by markus at 8/25/2005 12:35:00 PM
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Student Killed in Shark Attack
Marine biologist Jarrod Stehbens loved the sea, but yesterday he became its victim when he was taken by a shark off one of Adelaide, Australia's most popular beaches. The shark was spotted by members of his diving team and while they were helping one diver out of the water the shark used its snout to push Jarrod under before his friends could save him.
posted by markus at 8/24/2005 12:40:00 PM
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
What's Wrong With This Picture...
See those little things swimming behind this kid...
posted by markus at 8/23/2005 11:43:00 AM
Another One!!
Also on Sunday in Beijing a crocodile fled an abandoned wildlife park by crawling through a pipeline and surfaced at Beihai city's Silver Beach sending beach-goers running...
posted by markus at 8/23/2005 10:24:00 AM
In A While, Crocodile...
Beaches were closed when 6-foot saltwater crocodile was spotted in Key West, FL on Sunday. The reptile was first spotted in the water by a couple of people swimming out to a small row of boulders. They were stranded on the rocks for more than an hour before risking it and swimming back to the beach. I'd still be on those rocks...
posted by markus at 8/23/2005 10:08:00 AM
Shark Bite At Myrtle Beach
Another one... an 8-year-old boy was bitten by a shark on Sunday. He received numerous stitches for bites on his side and chest. This is the second confirmed shark attack this summer in the Carolinas and the first for Myrtle Beach. Little Jacob had dreams of becoming a dolphin trainer... I'm guessing he's rethinking that.
posted by markus at 8/23/2005 09:33:00 AM
Monday, August 22, 2005
Help Is On The Way... Maybe
New electronic barriers are being developed to protect bays and beaches from sharks! The barriers are based on those used to protect triathletes in Sydney Harbour during the 2000 Olympics. The device generates an electrical field that deters sharks without affecting other marine life. Hmmm... an invisible barrier ain't convincing me...
posted by markus at 8/22/2005 09:11:00 AM
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Boy Bit By Shark 2 Feet From Shore!
For four years, Julian Elizondo has played for the Seabrook Sharks youth football team. Friday night, he met the real thing. The 12-year-old boy was walking about 2 feet from the shoreline along Crystal Beach, near Galveston, when he felt something grab his left foot. When he couldn't pull away, the boy knocked the shark in the head and it let go. The boy then tried to run to shore, but he collapsed. He was taken to the hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery to repair the damage to his foot and ankle joint. He's doing ok now. This is the third shark bite victim treated at this hospital in the past 13 months.
posted by markus at 8/21/2005 07:45:00 PM
The Megatooth Shark
One of my favorite bloggers, Brenda Love (Planet Brenda) sent me this picture of her prehistoric shark tooth. Notice her keyboard to the right? That's how big this tooth is! I'm guessing this is a Megalodon tooth. The Megalodon is most likely the ancestor of the Great White Shark. This guy is believed to be the largest predator to have ever lived... 55-65 ft in length! It is supposedly extict but it could still be swimming around out there...
Thanks Brenda!
watch this...
posted by markus at 8/21/2005 10:10:00 AM
Friday, August 19, 2005
Using Dogs For Shark Bait Just Ain't Right
So those people who caught that shark in Vanuatu were using a live dog as bait! Apparently, this is a common occurance over there. Before the dogs are thrown in the water, they are attached to a fishing rod and a hook is pulled through their snouts... gross. I'm not a member of Peta or anything but that's just not right. Brigitte Bardot ain't happy about this either... You can sign this petition to help end it.
posted by markus at 8/19/2005 02:22:00 PM
Drunk Guy Cuts Tail Off Pet Goldfish
A guy cut the tail off his family's pet goldfish with a pair of scissors because he was "bored" after a day of drinking. The mom found the fish thrashing around in its tank without a tail and called the fuzz... they rushed it to the vet but the fishie's injuries were so severe it had to be put down. The scissor-happy lush was charged and could go to prison!
posted by markus at 8/19/2005 10:47:00 AM
Pardon Me, Orca
A little Alaskan boy got up close and personal with a 25 foot killer whale Saturday. 12 year old Ellis was standing in about 4 feet of water when the whale came out of nowhere and headed straight for him. The whale bumped into Ellis but didn't bite. Ironically, the force from the whale pushed little Ellis to safety. Yay.
posted by markus at 8/19/2005 01:39:00 AM
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Mischa Barton ❤ Sharks
"I'm fascinated by anything shark-related. Did you know their teeth continuously regenerate?"
posted by markus at 8/18/2005 12:19:00 PM
Memoirs Of A Barracuda
Steve,
I was surprised to see that the authenticity of the completely unprovoked amputation of my finger and part of my hand in Cozumel last year referred to as if it were doubtful. I have bloody photographs to prove it, and anyone is welcome to look at my hand. I have swum with barracudas for 50 years since infancy, never before seen aggressive behavior by them to humans, and always asserted that such attacks did not occur without cause (such as a dead fish in the hand, failed spearing attempts, shiny objects, etc.), but none of these factors were present in my case. My daughter, who saw the entire attack at close range, was an independent on-site witness, and still suffers tremendous psychological trauma from it.
Following the attack I received hundreds of messages from around the world describing attacks or near attacks, and it is clear that these are far more common than commonly thought, although much less frequent than shark attacks.
I feel that it is important to document such cases properly. The nature and animal TV stations seem to show shark attack videos several times every day, yet barracuda attacks have never been properly documents and are ignored. I sought no publicity over my attack, and it was never reported, but had reporters in Cozumel attempted to do so it would have been suppressed as “bad for tourism”.
Best wishes,
Tom
-------------------
Tom,
I have personally seen a diver get hit in the face by a barracuda at night, the impact broke the divers mask and shattered his eye socket and gashed his face, which required reconstructive surgery.
Barracuda are clear water sight feeders. They are fish eaters and feed 24 hours a day. Their attaack is reactive and explosive, at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. They feed on fish both smaller and larger than their own size. They have distinct sets of teeth...short triangular (usally not noticed by divers) and the very long spike looking teeth which interlock in the jaws. The smalll teeth are for cutting prey in the initial attack, then after the initial attack, the barracuda will grab and hold the part to be eaten with the long teeth. The speed and impact is incredible. The prey is usually cut cleanly in half (right behind the head) leaving the “good part” to be eaten.
I had known for years that barracuda are highly attracted to shiney objects. As such, I dove in only black or dark equipment. I’m positive that the barracuda (about 4 feet) attacked the clear silicone mask I was wearing. The masks frame is highly reflective particularly when exposed to light. The mask also saved my life. I now wear an identical mask (solid black). Other than the teeth penetrating the silicone, the frame and glass withstood the impact.
I had two nasal arteries severed and a complete major orbital blowout which required reconstructive surgery after finally getting back to the US. The saga continues...I will have more surgery on the 24th of this month to repair (open) a tear duct that has been crushed closed since the attack. It has caused the eye to water constantly and was the source of the mother of all eye infections.
Now, barracuda attacks are NOT limited to snorklers. I understand there was a female snorkler who was attacked in the neck in Mexico and bled to death. In August of 2003, there were two divers attacked at the Flower Gardens on the same night, diving on two different boats. One male videographer, one female diver. They both experienced very bad hematomas but no lacerations. It would appear that the barracuda struck bright D-rings on the equipment (reflecting light).
Steve
posted by markus at 8/18/2005 11:30:00 AM
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Fish Catches Man
In Germany today a fish pulled the fishing pole out of a man's hands. The man swam after the pole but when he reached it he suddenly stopped moving. He was pulled back to shore, but he was later pronounced dead.
posted by markus at 8/17/2005 06:15:00 PM
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Killer Shark Caught
This one's got a record... they think this is the same shark that attacked and killed that 7 year old girl in Vanuatu in June, along with three other victims... And they say sharks don't intentionally attack people??
posted by markus at 8/16/2005 05:50:00 PM
Monday, August 15, 2005
Hi, My Name Is Stupid
I don't even know where to start... did somebody tell them that was a dolphin?
posted by markus at 8/15/2005 10:18:00 AM
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Um, Thanks For The Advice...
Swimmers in seas around Westcountry beaches have been advised to leave the water if they spot sharks... duh!
posted by markus at 8/13/2005 12:54:00 PM
Friday, August 12, 2005
Giant Turtle On The Loose
A giant Alligator Snapping Turtle is on the loose in the River Lea in East London. These dudes look scary! It's first know victim... a goose.
posted by markus at 8/12/2005 12:36:00 PM
Invasion Of The Jellyfish
If you're vacationing in Spain, stay in the pool. Swarms of jellyfish are lurking along the Spanish coast this summer just waiting to attack... more than 15,000 people have been stung so far... ouch.
posted by markus at 8/12/2005 12:06:00 PM
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Attack Kept On The DL...
A 14-year-old boy was bitten on the foot while swimming off the Isle of Palms Beach in Charleston County on Saturday. Apparently nobody was going to tell us... the boy's mother is pissed because she says after the incident, there were no warnings or anything.
posted by markus at 8/10/2005 05:34:00 PM
Shark Sighting
A shark was sighted at Onslow Beach Sunday afternoon. Swimmers were told to stay out of the water but were allowed back in after just 1 hour... i bet that shark was still hungry.
posted by markus at 8/10/2005 12:06:00 PM
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Brad's Got A Thing For Sharks
He used to say sharks and spiders were his biggest fears but Brad Pitt apparently fell in love with Great White sharks on a trip to South Africa last year. He's even went down in one of those cages.
posted by markus at 8/09/2005 10:53:00 AM
Monday, August 08, 2005
Don't Go Swimming In Lake Mitchell
Two guys were fishing in Lake Mitchell and pulled out a 3.5 lb pacu, a relative to the piranha. This is the third one caught so far this summer. They think aquarium owners are releasing these into the lake when they want to get rid of them. That ain't right.
posted by markus at 8/08/2005 10:17:00 AM
He Likes Big Fish, OK?
Home Depot billionaire Bernard Marcus is building the world's largest fish tank. The 5 million gallon aquarium will be home to two white beluga whales, giant groupers, octopuses and two giant whale sharks and be so well-designed that fish will prefer it to the ocean. "This is like going to the Ritz Carlton," he said. "If you ask them, do they want to go back to the ocean, you know what they would say: 'Are you crazy?'"
posted by markus at 8/08/2005 09:55:00 AM
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
Victim Of The Day
Found inside a captured bull shark, 1983
posted by markus at 8/05/2005 03:01:00 PM
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Monster Mako Caught
Greg Hirst caught this 12 foot, 700 lb Mako this morning near Boca raton, FL just seconds after humming the Jaws music...
posted by markus at 8/03/2005 06:26:00 PM
Attack Of The Sea Lion
Michael Huff, 13, was innocently boogie boarding at Morro Strand State Beach Saturday evening when a sea lion started chasing him! The animal bit the right side of the Michael's boogie board and then circled back and took another bite! Luckily, Michael got away unharmed.
posted by markus at 8/03/2005 11:39:00 AM
Was This The One?
A 10 foot, nearly 600 lb great white was caught in Australia yesterday! Locals are speculating that this is the same shark that terrified a group of fishermen last year as it lunged and sank its teeth into the side of their small fishing boat as well as the one that attacked a seal in front of a boat load of tourists!
posted by markus at 8/03/2005 11:11:00 AM
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Shark Tank Explodes!
Hazel Swinden, 61, is suing the Sydney Aquarium after claiming she's developed several emotional problems after a 1977 incident when a giant glass tank broke and showered her with reef sharks and 12,500 litres of seawater! She claims images of a shark swimming round her feet had induced so much stress that she was forced to give up her sales assistant job.
My question is... Hazel, why didn't you sue in '77??
posted by markus at 8/02/2005 01:39:00 PM
Holy Catfish!
So this guy in Spain caught a 212lb catfish the other day! Apparently, it took 5 guys to reel it in... they're gonna need a bigger frying pan.
posted by markus at 8/02/2005 10:21:00 AM
Monday, August 01, 2005
Reality Bites
Reality TV has sunk to new depths! Ruby Wax and Richard E. Grant will be among the celebrities lowered in a cage into the waters of Shark Alley, off the coast of South Africa, while a noxious mix of blood and fish is used to lure the sharks on the new British reality show Celebrity Shark Bait.
Apparently, Joan Collins turned down the chance to star in new show saying, "Thank you, but I already know how to swim with sharks."
posted by markus at 8/01/2005 12:08:00 PM
