This article
has some amazing photos of the first
Colossal squid ever captured
completely intact. The Colossal
squid is larger than the Giant
squid, which, until recently was
considered the largest type of
squid. From the article, "This
animal, armed as it is with the
hooks and the beak that it has, not
only is colossal in size but is
going to be a phenomenal predator
and something you are not going to
want to meet in the water."
I'll take their word for it.
Keep in mind while you look at the
photos that this is not even a
full-grown specimen, but only a
"baby". I can't imagine what Mom and
Dad must look like.
How to
blow the roof off in 3 easy steps
This method involves a washing machine, an aeresol can, a pair of sissors and a
large amount of sychronicity. Mix well and suspend disbelief.
Chicken Vampire
Chilean farmers assume vampires are responsible for the mysterious deaths of
several chickens. The more logical among them realize that is probably not the
most likely scenario, and offer up the possibility that the culprits are either
chicken vampires or...aliens.
African dog accused of witchcraft
because she apparently gave birth to a litter of kittens.
Chickens subjected to horrific scientific testing
Okay, so it wasn't so much horrific as...well, silly. 30 years ago, scientists
tested the effects of sonic booms on a group of chickens.
The results were not exactly earthshattering, "The generator subsequently
was fired in a barn containing approximately 2,800 adult chickens. They stopped
chirping and moving about for a maximum of 40 seconds after the firing, but then
resumed their normal activity." Not surprisingly, scientists then concluded that
sonic booms were perfectly harmless.
Irony killed the cat (owner)
Big cat owner claimed that living with full-grown tigers was not dangerous.
"Olson said he understood why some people might fear having tigers living near
them, but he said, “In most circumstances ... the fears are pretty much
unfounded.”"
He was mauled to death last week by two of his "harmless" pets.
Genius Monkey
has learned to type!
Genetically-engineered monkey has learned to type. No, really! And you can chat
with him online! "Dr Brockënfehr said: "We'd like to prove to the world that
Marty is real by allowing people to chat directly to him live on the Internet."
Well, that should definately prove it's for real and not, for example, some
elaborate April Fool's Day hoax. (It is.)
(For some real laughs, see the official
FirstGenetics website.)
Amazing
counting birds!
And in the REAL scientific news: Scientists discover that a breed of marsh bird,
the coot, can actually count and keep track of their own eggs. Now, if only the
Coot bird could talk and demand a more dignified -sounding name...
A report from
our friends at Pravada.ru
Yes, here's a report on "life without brain", including such undocumented
ancedotes as WWII soliders continuing to fight after being decapitated and a
14-year-old boy who lived his a completely normal life without a brain.
Ah, Pravada.Ru, life would be so much bleaker without your completely unfounded
and off-the-wall news stories to read!
Unidentified Flying
Cat
Dead cat mistaken for UFO. No, really.
The "Oddfather"
The strange yet amusing saga of the "Oddfather", a New York mobster who avoided
a trial for years by pretending to be mentally incompetent.
Irony strikes again
A hotel room toilet exploded.
During a plumber's convention.
But there's more...the room belonged to a plumbing engineer consultant who
specialized in studies about exploding toilets.
Mmmmm...pesticide
Bugs thrive on the new "pest killing" crops designed to, well, kill them.
Ever heard of
the Mad Gasser of Mattoon?
Neither have I. This article is about the unsolved Illinois case in the early
1940's, of the "Mad Gasser" who would gas unsuspecting residents of the Mattoon
and leave them unconscious. The identity of the attacker has long been debated.
Stop! Salamander
Crossing!
An Alabama town erects signs alongside roads cautioning drivers to be cautious
of salamanders crossing during their annual migration to lay eggs.
"Thirty years from now, someone will look back and see I voted for a salamander
crossing," [Councilman Walter Jones] said. "They won't remember anything else,
but they'll remember that."
Yep.
From the Yes, people are still stupid department: Fun with household
appliances! (and shopping carts)
Man found sleeping
in dryer
Police find suspect
hiding in fridge
Girl hurt in shopping cart mishap (the mishap being being that she was riding in
it at 45 MPH down a hill)
Weird News Classic:
Exploding Whale
A few years ago, an eight ton dead whale washed up on an Oregon beach. At a loss
as to what to do with it, city officials decided to blow it up with dynamite.
Dozens of residents turned out to watch. Unfortunately, no one stopped to think
about the possible effects of one ton of dynamite on eight tons of whale
blubber. Hilarity ensued.
Lucky for us, the historical event was caught on tape and has since gone down
in Weird News History. You can watch the infamous video on this site and also
read the Dave Barry column that immortalized the Exploding Whale forever.
