now this is a first time i’ve seen a story like this. haha. So this alligator snapping turtle (i know of snapping turtles but alligator?) has been rescued from a life of crime. It turns out that the owner of Fluffy (the alligator snapping turtle’s name) was using Fluffy to guard a drug stash. But luckily has now been rescued and living at the local aquarium in Boston.

if you’re wondering what an alligator snapping turtle is, here’s an except from wikipedia…

“The alligator snapping turtle is characterized by a large, heavy head and a long, thick tail with three dorsal ridges of large scales (osteoderms) giving it a primitive appearance reminiscent of some of the plated dinosaurs. They can be immediately distinguished from the common snapper by the three distinct rows of spikes and raised plates on the carapace, whereas the common snapper has a smoother carapace. They are a solid gray, brown, black, or olive-green in color, and often covered with algae. They have radiating yellow patterns around the eyes, serving to break up the outline of the eye and keep the turtle camouflaged. Their eyes are also surrounded by a star-shaped arrangement of fleshy filamentous “eyelashes.”

oh and they are strong enough to snap off a person’s finger.

You can watch a video here.

Today is Earth Day. With the cost of gas rising (over $4 for regular in my area) and all the news about the Earth in trouble, it’s a good time to bring even more attention to being ecological responsible. What are you doing to help save the earth? Or how much is gas in your area? I’m still in shocked by gas prices lately.

I had the chance to go back to Disneyland and ofcourse the first ride I had to check out was the Finding Nemo Ride (used to be the submarine ride back in the days). The wait was a lil’ over an hour but the line moved fast and it was worth the wait. i can totally see kids wanting a fish tank after this ride. Here are some pictures from the ride.

Attention everyone with a camera in the SF area (or those who have been to the Aquarium of the Bay)! Aquarium of the Bay is having a photo contest! Below is some information regarding it..Good Luck!

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SAN FRANCISCO, April 9, 2008 - Aquarium of the Bay is inspiring visitors to show off their photographic talent by hosting their first annual “It’s a Snap!” photo competition. All amateur photographers are invited to enter snapshots of the Aquarium’s animals and exhibitions, with hopes of winning cash prizes as well as having their photos made into postcards, which will be sold to benefit Aquarium of the Bay Foundation.

Amateur photographers can submit their photographs via any public photo sharing site until May 19, 2008. Aquarium staff will select initial entries to be posted on http://www.aquariumofthebay.com/ for six separate rounds of public voting. During the first five rounds, which will take place on the weeks of April 21st, April 28th, May 5th, May 12th and May 19th, the public will select a total of 10 semifinalists. A final round of public voting will begin on May 26th to choose the top three photos. Winners will be announced on June 9, 2008.

The Grand Prize winner will be awarded $500; the second place winner will receive $250 and the third place winner will receive $100. All three top winners will have their photographs made into postcards which will be sold in the Aquarium’s gift shop, with 100% of proceeds going to Aquarium of the Bay Foundation, a non-profit that supports conservation, education and research projects. Everyone who submits a photo will become a winner since all entrants receive a complimentary admission ticket to Aquarium of the Bay.

In order to participate, applicants must upload digital images to a public photo sharing site, and “tag” the photo with “Aquarium of the Bay Photo Competition.” Applicants are encouraged to upload their images to the Aquarium’s Flickr.com group at http://www.flickr.com/groups/aquariumofthebay/, but can also utilize any online photo sharing site. Once the photos are uploaded and tagged, applicants will e-mail the link to katis@aquariumofthebay.com. The competition is open to all amateur photographers, with the only criteria being that the photos are shot within Aquarium of the Bay’s exhibit space within the past 12 months. Additional information, rules and guidelines can be found at http://www.aquariumofthebay.com/ or by calling 415-623-5340.

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April 3, 2008—After countless centuries, this odd anglerfish (right) may finally be ready for its close-up.

Discovered in Indonesia in January, the species has forward-looking eyes like a human and crawls rather than swims.

These and other traits suggest the fist-size animal may represent a new family of fishes, University of Washington fish expert Ted Pietsch announced on April 2, when this photo was released. DNA tests are needed for confirmation.

Pietsch first learned of the unnamed species from dive-facility operators on Ambon island, Indonesia. “I knew it had to be an anglerfish because of the leglike pectoral fins on its sides,” he said in a statement.

But the new species lacks the trademark forehead “lure” that other anglerfish use to attract prey.

The fish’s forward-facing eyes seem to be a first, even to Pietsch, a 40-year veteran of fish research.

The fish’s knack for squeezing into coral crevices may explain why it’s escaped notice until now—a low profile that isn’t likely to last.

“Seeking out these fish is probably going to be like the holy grail of divers for a while,” Ambon Island-based dive operator Randolph Shorten said in a statement.

(Related photos: “Giant, Unknown Animals Found off Antarctica” [March 28, 2008].)

—Ted Chamberlain

source: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080403-fish-photo.html

PlanetInverts.com has a total of 24 new Sulawesi Shrimp species. Here are the pictures of them. See the rest of them at the PlanetInverts Sulawesi Shrimps section.