Watch and learn how to participate in the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study. You’ll get a step-by-step look at how to take a tarpon DNA sample and submit it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Researchers from the FWC and Mote Marine Laboratory use these samples to identify and track individual tarpon and learn about where they live, how far they travel, and how often they are recaptured. Participating anglers are kept up to date on results through annual newsletters and recapture letter notifications. To find out more about the study, including how to get involved, visit MyFWC.com/Research, click on “Saltwater,” and select “Tarpon Genetics” under “Tarpon.” Or copy this link:http://www.myfwc.com/research/saltwater/tarpon/genetics/
Myth #1. Crocodiles have poor eyesight.
Actually have very good eyesight, which is an important adaptation for hunting. They are especially adapted to see and sense movement of potential prey animals. The position of their eyes on their head (almost on the side) gives them a wide sight range. The only place they cannot see is right behind them.
Myth #2. Crocodiles aren’t good climbers.
They have strong legs with sharp claws and powerful tails to help them push their bodies up. Young Crocodiles are agile climbers and adults can climb low fences to get into or out of water and to escape captivity. Low fences, therefore, may not be sufficient protection for pets in areas where alligators are present. Fences should be more than 4.5 feet tall if you are attempting to keep them out of your yard.
Myth #3. Crocodiles make good pets.
This is entirely untrue. They make terrible pets. Although babies may seem like a cool pet, it is illegal to possess or take a crocodile without the proper licenses and permits from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Crocodiles are instinctual hunters and do not show affection. Unlike cats and dogs, they will never love the hand that feeds them.
Myth #4. You should run in a zigzag pattern if you are trying to escape a Crocodile.
This is a common misconception. First, it would be very rare for a Crocodile to chas a human because humans are too large to be suitable prey. However, if an Crocodile does make an aggressive charge, run fast and straight (away from the Crocodile, of course). They usually do not run very far. Remember they are more likely to charge at you if you are near their nest or are blocking their escape route to the water.
Myth #5. Crocodiles can’t jump out of the water.
Looking at a large Crocodile it would seem unlikely it could propel itself out of the water but they are extreamly strong swimmers using their powerful tails. This photo is NOT Photo Shopped!
4-1-12 Coordinated as the PEACE (People Expecting Alternative Community Experiences) Alternative Spring Break Program, it serves as a branch of the PEACE Volunteer Center at The University throughout the U.S. Committed to immersing students in a variety of cultures and social issues, the Alternative Spring Break Program arranges domestic and international service opportunities for University students, faculty and staff.
This year students and staff headed to Key West to work with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, walking and kayaking along shorelines cleaning up litter and debris.
One group from the University of Miami were kayaking along a mangrove lined shore when, in a mostly hidden cove, they saw some supposed debris on a small beach. When they got closer they discovered some hidden treasure, a real Treasure Chest. They struggled to open it and found it filled with gold and silver coins, cups, bowls and jewelry. They were able to load the treasure chest on one of the kayaks and tow it out to the support boat where it was brought to their hotel dock and quickly transported back to their UM dorms.
Here at Keys Treasures, we fully understand the sun isn’t always your best friend. But, unlike vampire bats, the sun is not PURE evil. It does have a few redeeming qualities. Like sunspots and eclipses. It’s also used to grow your own Keys Buds. Some people even tunnel sun rays through a magnifying glass to set insects and iguanas ablazin. One of the strangest qualities of the Sun, however, is that it can make the color of your skin change. And while it is very dangerous to the cells in your epidermis, this practice of changing ones skin color purportedly makes you more socially acceptable in general and desireable to the opposite sex. What geek doesn’t want that?
Don’t let the sun have the monopoly on making people love you more. Get the USB Desktop Tanning center and, in the comfort of your own cubicle, a scrumptiously golden tone can be yours in about the same time it takes you to update your lame blog with another meaningless entry that nobody will ever read. And just in time to before that Keys Trip.
Features:
Two base units attach to either side of your monitor
4 WOLFFE Ultra-violet 100 watt bulbs
USB Powered
Variable rate knob features three settings (Powder, Tea, Malignant)
Comes with eyeball cover thingies!
The Nobel Prize is an international award given yearly since 1901 for achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, architecture design and for peace. In 1968, the Bank of Sweden instituted the Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prize.
Nominations are made April 1st and the Prize Winners are announced in October every year. They receive their awards (a prize amount, a gold medal and a diploma) on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.
County Commissioner Davey (Not-a-Monkee) Ricewater has been nominated for the 2012 Nobel Prize for Architecture Design for Developers of Natural Treasures. This Nobel category was last given to Lipra Solof for turning the Great Wall of China into Condo Hotels for foreign visitors. Nelson has been nominated for plans, revealed in a recent investigation into violations of the Sunshine Law, to build offshore islands that would be sold to developers for mega resorts.
This Nobel Prize award winner is selected through an extensive survey of environmentalists and scientist who assess the impacts and success/failure projections of programs and projects. Also nominated this year is Russian President Vladimir Putzin?? who is planing to turn the Russian portion of the International Space Station into the first extraterrestrial resort. He has tentatively named it S’nostej Tuoedih. (check out this name in a mir-ror).
Key West Mayor Craiglist Crates has a plan to pay off a budget deficits due to recent court judgement to Duck Tours Seafari Inc. for $13.5 million. For those of you hiding in a duck blind for the past year, the Duck Tour company sued the city of Key West and the Conch Train claiming that they conspired to force the Duck Tour company out of business to preserve the Conch Train’s monopoly in Key West.
Taking a cue from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission which is sending undercover officers into bars to spot those who over imbibe. Agency spokeswoman Carolyn Beck says drinking is fine. But she says when people drink too much, they become dangerous. The enforcement program also targets underage drinking and bartenders who continue to serve drunks. Public intoxication carries a possible 500-dollar fine and a few hours in the drunk tank to sober-up.
Mayor Crates’ plan will be to target drunk visitors, they will each be fined $100. The citations will require instant payment, which can be accomplished with credit cards, or the violator can fight the fine by returning to Key West and have their day in court. Each citation will have preset court dates of 6 months after the date of intoxication. Mayor surmises few visitors would want to spend money and time to fight a $100 fine and will opt for the instant fine payment. With a million visitors a year the Mayor estimates tens of millions of dollars to flow in the city coffers. The City Attorney, Chris Schenkel, added “We don’t intend to make any arrests since the local jail has only 5 small cells and couldn’t hold the patrons of Sloppy Joes. We will let sleeping drunks lie.”
Small stores aren’t doing enough to drive the economy, Islamorada officials agree.
ISLAMORADA VILLAGE OF IDIOTS — Finally realizing that big-box stores are the “wave of the future” and “there’s no need for anything else” Islamorada Village council Friday banned new Mom-and-Pop stores from now until global warming makes the islands a memory.
“We’ll need all the tax revenues from all the village’s businesses from now on to pay for our hurricane insurance,” said Chris S. Claws, Village Councilman and managing coordinator for insurance continuity and subterfuge. “There’s no time like today to plan for yesterday. Because, as we all know, tomorrow is only yesterday’s today,” Claws clipped. “We shouldn’t wait for tomorrow to capitalize on the past’s future folly of today.”
While shaking hands with every single developer in the Florida Keys, Chris quipped about the “100,000-square-foot” requirement under his breath, away from prying microphones. Apparently, no stores smaller than that will be allowed. After the announcement, all of the small business owners who had showed up were arrested for “crimes against commerce.”
“What a fine sight,” Patty Schmatty, Viceroy Mayor said. “It’s just great to see this scourge on true capitalism separated from its life.” After the business owners were gone, the rest of the community was quiet. Village memos from Mayor Bobby Johanson were issued. They read: “Your neighbor’s fate might be your own, keep quiet and don’t talk to the press. That is all.”
Dubai one of the richest contries in the Middle East, despite only having a population of 1 million, has become well know world wide for their fantastic construction designs. Dubai’s land-reclamation projects — the three Palm Islands
of Jumeira, Jebel Ali and Deira; The World archipelago; and the Dubai Waterfront — will be the largest man-made offshore structures in the world, housing villas, hotels, shops and holiday resorts. They are currently constructing what will become the world’s tallest building, the Burj Dubai. It is expected to be completed in 2008.
It has just been revealed Dubai purchased the entire island of Key West for 560 Trillion Dirham ($1.5 Billion US). Reports have surfaced of plans for the Largest Island Resort in the World. This would call for bulldozing the entire island and construction could take a decade.
This continues a recent trend, Dubai interests have also purchased large amounts of real estate in foreign countries, in particular snapping up trophy properties in global centers like New York and London; a typical purchase in 2005 was New York’s 230 Park Avenue (formerly known as the New York Central Building or the Helmsley Building) and Essex House on Central Park South.
Governer Scotty supported the deal and said he would veto any attempt to block the sale. “I want those who are questioning it to step up and explain why all of a sudden a Middle Eastern country is held to a different standard than an South American country,” Mr. Scotty said. “I am trying to conduct foreign policy now by saying to the people of the world, ‘We’ll treat you fartly.’ Unless you are in Guantanamo Bay Resort. Still, I love freedom and hate those who hate those who love freedom.”
The “Conch Crier” has uncovered some artistic conceptions of possible designs that would call for lush tropical growth lining rows of condo/resort buildings, with all rooms facing west, and with beaches surrounding the island.
Other reports have Dubai developers continuing their recent trend of building skyscraper condo/resorts.
There have been numerous reports of giant Spiny Lobsters, some as big as six feet long, invading the shallows around Big Pine Key. Eyewitness snorkelers have been chased out of the water by these enormous crawfish. Big Pine Key resident and environmental guide Captain Bill Keysholes said “They come right at you waving five to six foot antenna as big around as my arm and with spines the size of Key Lime thorns. Several of my clients have been badly scratched up and one lost a finger in a flapping tail when trying to fend off one of the monsters that was advancing on his son. Bill snapped the photo at right, which shows the lobster beginning its attack, just before he realized the danger.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Superintendent Billy (The Marlin) Causway theorizes the increase of Lobster Casitas the last two years has allowed a population explosion of the Florida Spiny Lobster. “This and a previously unknown contamination from the Gulf Oil Spill, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, may have contributed to producing these abnormal growth spurts.” said Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s Public Outreach Specialist Chevy Heckofaguy.
Earnie Boragine, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association (seen at left with two Giant Lobster Droppings) believes this will further burden local fisherman who will need to retool all their fishing equipment, from trap size to holding tanks to accommodate the larger size crustaceans.
There are other reports of the BP Crayfish contamination reaching as far north as Maine, carried by the Gulf Stream, and producing more giants.
