Freethought & Rationalism Archive

MrDarwin · 07-01-2002, 08:01 AM

Creationists are fond of asking of what value is half an eye, or half a wing, etc. etc. etc. Well, here's a couple of stories that show that having half a lung or half a leg--that is, organs that are more or less halfway to being a lung or a leg--might be pretty darn useful:

<a href="http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/wjla/20020628/lo/breed_of_fish_able_to_live_on_land_1.html" target="_blank">Breed of Fish Able to Live on Land
</a>

<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A52395-2002Jun26.html" target="_blank">Freakish Fish Causes Fear in Md.</a>

Quote:

It grows to nearly three feet, eats whatever it wants -- mostly other fish -- can live through icy winters and survives even in oxygen-deprived waters.

But there's more: It can crawl out of the water and wiggle across land, surviving up to four days.

[ July 01, 2002: Message edited by: MrDarwin ]</p>

Peregrine · 07-01-2002, 08:15 AM

The pond where they found the fish is just a few blocks from my house.

They have found this species of fish a couple other times in other lakes, but each time it was a single fish, no breeding pairs. But they are really concerned about this one because they think it was dumped by an aquarium shop that went out of business, so there might be a breeding pair.

tgamble · 07-01-2002, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrDarwin:
<strong>Creationists are fond of asking of what value is half an eye, or half a wing, etc. etc. etc. Well, here's a couple of stories that show that having half a lung or half a leg--that is, organs that are more or less halfway to being a lung or a leg--might be pretty darn useful:
</strong>

Oh yeah?! Well what good would 1/4 of a leg or 1/4 of a lung be? huh? Tell me that you vile, no good, low down, dirty rotten, bible bashing, christian persecuting, god hateing, evilutionist atheist scum! ha!

Duvenoy · 07-01-2002, 09:07 AM

The problem of exotic wildlife in the US is getting larger every year. In FL, it is huge and devestating to native species.

FL now has established populations of:

specticaled caiman
cane toad (Bufo marinis)
walking catfish
flowerpot snake
green iguana
burmese python (not sure, but probably)
trantulas of various species
oscar (astronatus oscelatus)
numerous small species of lizard including tokay gecko and Cuban anole
numerous, small bird species

And many more. One chilling report I recieved was that of an neonate monicled cobra (Naja kaoutha) seen but not caught behind a filling station. I am delighted to have another venomous snake around but others don't see it that way.

And let us not forget the now all-too-common fire ant.

These animals have adapted to their new environment and in many cases have extended their range. Not good for many native species. Some tree frogs and native toads are in serious decline due to Bufo marinis. The cane not only out-competes them, but eats them as well. By the way, this is the one you're supposed to lick to get high.

I wonder: what would the wildlife in FL, indeed the country, look like a few millina down the road (assuming that we haven't blown the whole thing up between then and now).

doov

RufusAtticus · 07-01-2002, 09:17 AM

You left one off.

Florida also has an established population of humans (Homo sapiens) that do more damage than all other combined.

Autonemesis · 07-01-2002, 09:27 AM

Even better:

Quote:

State officials suspect the fish in the Crofton pond was bought at an area fish market. Investigators are looking into reports that it may have been released as a religious offering, a practice by some eastern religions.

So I guess we have to alter the Pledge again to make it sufficiently ecumenical:

One nation, under God and snakehead fish religions, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all, except for atheists and afishists.

Nic Tamzek · 07-01-2002, 12:30 PM

I just have to add a story. My family was on a guided canoeing trip down the Zambezi River (on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa). Hippos and Crocs but they don't bug you if you don't bug them. Usually. It was very cool.

Anyway, one night my dad caught a big fat catfish on his pole. He hauls it up on the bank and leaves it by the camp (we camped on islands, which theoretically didn't have lions), probably 20+ yards from the water.

Next morning, we get up, and the fish is gone, except for fish tracks slurping back to the river! The one that got away, and it earned it!

nic

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07-01-2002, 08:15 AM	#2
Peregrine Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 385	The pond where they found the fish is just a few blocks from my house. They have found this species of fish a couple other times in other lakes, but each time it was a single fish, no breeding pairs. But they are really concerned about this one because they think it was dumped by an aquarium shop that went out of business, so there might be a breeding pair.

07-01-2002, 09:07 AM	#4
Duvenoy Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Just another hick from the sticks. Posts: 1,108	The problem of exotic wildlife in the US is getting larger every year. In FL, it is huge and devestating to native species. FL now has established populations of: specticaled caiman cane toad (Bufo marinis) walking catfish flowerpot snake green iguana burmese python (not sure, but probably) trantulas of various species oscar (astronatus oscelatus) numerous small species of lizard including tokay gecko and Cuban anole numerous, small bird species And many more. One chilling report I recieved was that of an neonate monicled cobra (Naja kaoutha) seen but not caught behind a filling station. I am delighted to have another venomous snake around but others don't see it that way. And let us not forget the now all-too-common fire ant. These animals have adapted to their new environment and in many cases have extended their range. Not good for many native species. Some tree frogs and native toads are in serious decline due to Bufo marinis. The cane not only out-competes them, but eats them as well. By the way, this is the one you're supposed to lick to get high. I wonder: what would the wildlife in FL, indeed the country, look like a few millina down the road (assuming that we haven't blown the whole thing up between then and now). doov

07-01-2002, 09:17 AM	#5
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	You left one off. Florida also has an established population of humans (Homo sapiens) that do more damage than all other combined.

07-01-2002, 12:30 PM	#7
Nic Tamzek Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: California Posts: 646	I just have to add a story. My family was on a guided canoeing trip down the Zambezi River (on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa). Hippos and Crocs but they don't bug you if you don't bug them. Usually. It was very cool. Anyway, one night my dad caught a big fat catfish on his pole. He hauls it up on the bank and leaves it by the camp (we camped on islands, which theoretically didn't have lions), probably 20+ yards from the water. Next morning, we get up, and the fish is gone, except for fish tracks slurping back to the river! The one that got away, and it earned it! nic

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