Crocodiles With Frickin' Magnets Attached to Their Heads 304
Brickwall writes "Florida, faced with a problem of crocodiles returning to residential neighborhoods after being relocated elsewhere, is trying to solve it by affixing magnets to the crocs' heads. The theory is the crocodiles use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation, and the magnets may interfere with that. What I'd like to know is, whose job is it to put the magnets on?" So far the magnet program appears to be working, unfortunately the crocs have started to collect huge amounts of take-out menus and child artwork.
Natural selection (Score:5, Interesting)
Not trying to troll here, but why not just shoot them? Some crocs appear to love to be around humans, some not. Kill the ones who do, and let the ones who prefer to stay away from people have the chance to breed. In a few decades, we'll have a race of human-adverse crocs.
Re:Natural selection (Score:5, Funny)
Because most people don't like handbags with bullet holes in them. Same goes for wallets.
As for belts, it's hard to get the holes consistently in the right places.
Re:Natural selection (Score:5, Informative)
In a few decades, we'll have a race of human-adverse crocs.
In a few decades huh? Your understanding of genetics is as simplistic as your understanding of crocodile behaviour.
As a previous poster has said, the objective is to relocate, not shoot them. This species of animal is also considered vulnerable [jrank.org] (quote) or facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designates it as Endangered, or in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The primary threat to this animal comes from habitat loss.
Re:Natural selection (Score:5, Insightful)
The primary threat to this animal comes from habitat loss.
it should read- The primary threat to this animal comes from the human race.
for the record: i am not any leftie, granola eatin, moonbeam hugging retard.
however, this cavalier attitude towards destroying life because it is inconvenient is just maddening to me.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
How about we shoot the humans who threaten animals with their careless abuse of the earth? After a few generations we'll have fool-adverse humans!?
Re: (Score:2)
In a few decades huh? Your understanding of genetics is as simplistic as your understanding of crocodile behaviour.
There was a recent slashdot story (let's see if google will turn it up) ah here we are, Acquired Characteristics May Be Inheritable [slashdot.org]. Amazing how the only way to find anything on slashdot is to use someone else's search engine. Anyway, you may well be wrong. The jury is still in deliberation. Don't be such a prick when it comes to things like this (I know, look who's talking) because science is still marching onward.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Because you might damage perfectly good magnets, silly.
Re:Natural selection (Score:5, Funny)
You forgot to end with "Also, fuck you."
Re:Natural selection (Score:4, Insightful)
Bad idea. Humans tend to find human-adverse aversive.
Re: (Score:2)
Well, my son.. (Score:2)
Is it proven that some specimens stay away from humans while others are unafraid of ut? What's the average lifespan of a croc? And is "stay-away-from-people" a dominant or recessive gene? Is it even a single gene?
"A few decades" is probably a bit optimistic..
But then again, if we don't kill those that get close to humans, we will effectively give the non-shy specimens an advantage. Hmh.
Re:Natural selection (Score:5, Insightful)
First, this has nothing to do with natural selection.
Actually you even show a clear ignorance for natural selection because you want to kill the ones that actually adapt and have become better hunters and can thus provide more food.
I.e. the basis for evolution under the 'natural selection' (I'm kinda keeping it simple)
Without wanting to start a pro/contra hunting argument, it is kinda like saying you are helping nature by going hunting.
Uhm, no. What you are doing is simply cutting down the healthy ones and leaving the rest.
While naturally speaking you should be hunting the sick, weak and old (like their natural predators do).
But then which hunter wants to eat that meat?
Second this is not only an issue with Crocs but with many more animals. Or should I say it is less of an animal then of a human issue.
Unlike humans, animals still need to hunt for their food and are not particularly picky when they find something they can eat.
And the easier they can get to it, the better.
This is where we come in.
* trash:
It might seem like trash for us but anything edible you throw away will probably attract animals.
Note, this does not exclude trash that is not thrown into the bin but can basically include anything we drop or store like bread crumbs or our basement food stock.
* habitat:
Rodents like mice, rats or cockroaches are typically problems in our habitats, among others to the above-mentioned trash issue.
But you might think, hey these are only mice, we were talking about Crocs, you would have to remember that there are animals out there that hunt these, f.i. snakes.
In addition to that our habitats are also warm/cool and protect us from the weather.
And if they protect us, they also protect animals.
Plus our other technological advances attract animals a well.
F.i. Tar roads that can heat up quite nicely are ideal places for reptiles.
Some animals love our hoses and wire isolation.
* pets:
Even our own pets are viable food sources to hunters and our domestication can cause them to lose their natural suspicion.
And maybe that log they are sniffing is not really a log.
* animal habitat reduction:
As humanity increases in size we stupidly also increase our habitat size in crazy proportions and thus reduce that of the animals.
This makes it easier for animals to enter our habitats.
Kinda like if you compare the distance between towns 100 years ago to now. Back then the habitat spheres were far from each other. Today these spheres are much closer, touch or even overlap.
Plus the amount of crocs might also be forcing the crocs to hunt in larger areas.
But it would probably be more of the former then the latter.
Humans are not interesting as a food source for most of the animal kingdom.
To big, tough meat, hard to catch and dangerous.
Nearly all accidents of animals attacking humans was because the humans were playing around in areas they should not be.
More humans die in Africa due to Hippoes then to Crocs.
More humans die in Australia to Jellyfish then to sharks.
Re: (Score:2)
First, this has nothing to do with natural selection.
Actually you even show a clear ignorance for natural selection because you want to kill the ones that actually adapt and have become better hunters and can thus provide more food. ... What you are doing is simply cutting down the healthy ones and leaving the rest.
I.e. the basis for evolution under the 'natural selection'
While naturally speaking you should be hunting the sick, weak and old (like their natural predators do).
The GP was specifically talking about artificial selection for a specific desired result - basically, de-facto breeding of shy crocs. This is interesting, though likely illegal and unworkable.
You, on the other hand, having staked out the intellectual high ground by leveling accusations of ignorance, proceed with an only vaguely coherent rant about emulating the natural circumstances under which crocs get killed, add some sweeping statements and bold (even foolhardy) assertions about the mechanics of "natur [wikipedia.org]
Re:Natural selection (Score:5, Interesting)
Illegality aside, these scientists [wikipedia.org] artificially selected 'shy' foxes for breeding and ended up with tame, dog-like foxes. Fascinating read, BTW.
Re: (Score:2)
Crocs? In Florida? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Crocs? In Florida? (Score:5, Informative)
State biologists are studying the temporary use of magnets to disrupt the internal navigation of federally and state-protected American crocodiles, which have been spotted most often in neighborhoods of Miami-Dade and Monroe counties.
And because every good
Crocs? In Florida? Yes, actually. (Score:5, Informative)
There are no Crocodiles in Florida, except in zoo's or animal parks. There are plenty of Alligators however.
These are American crocodiles. [wikipedia.org]
And yes, there are plenty of alligators in Florida—which is why they aren't endangered.
The American crocodile is endangered, however, which is pointed out in article that you didn't read.
Re: (Score:2)
Read the article?? How can you expect people to actively seek out idle stories, tag them repeatedly with "idleispants", post in the comments saying how idle is stupid and should die and they never read it, and read the article? Be reasonable!
Re: (Score:2)
Yes, there are about ~1000+ crocodiles in FL. However, the article has a picture of an alligator with electrical tape on it's head.
Alligators have larger, fatter heads. While their crocodile kin have smaller, more narrow heads and longer (sometimes) mouths.
Re: (Score:2)
There are no Crocodiles in Florida.
Wrong [ufl.edu].
Re:Crocs? In Florida? (Score:4, Informative)
There are no Crocodiles in Florida, except in zoo's or animal parks. There are plenty of Alligators however.
Actually, the article is about crocodiles and it is correct. There are crocodiles. About 2000, the species has made a great comeback from near extinction due in large part to the cooling canals at Turkey Point power plant. There are 186 Miles of cooling canals that are 5 feet deep and 200 feet wide. If you look on google maps near the homestead raceway, it looks like a giant radiator. This area is protected from all civilian interference and the animals thrive there. Other areas that the crocodiles go to are the biscayne bay and the everglades. they travel back and forth using the canal systems.
Get sharks with laser beams. (Score:2, Funny)
That will take care of the crocs.
Re: (Score:2, Insightful)
Re: (Score:2)
Not if they drink a nice warming cup of booze from RAPTOR JESUS.
Go North Young Crock (Score:4, Funny)
Now they all walk north. Alaskans will have more than polar bears to worry about now.
Last Words (Score:2, Funny)
"Dad, something is stuck to our bumper! I heard a clang."
If I understand this correctly... (Score:2, Funny)
Florida? Crocs? Huh? (Score:2, Interesting)
Alligators in Florida! Crocodiles in Africa, Asia, Australia.
I guess there is some association here with "sharks with lasers". Though here in oz I know which one I rather swim near if I had to. From most to least dangerous (relative) I'd say: Crocodiles, box jelly and then sharks. Sharks eat people more by accident, box jellies just bump into you by accident ... crocs will hunt you if they see you and pursue by water or land.
Re:Florida? Crocs? Huh? (Score:4, Informative)
"Alligators in Florida! Crocodiles in Africa, Asia, Australia."
And er... the Americas:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Crocodile [wikipedia.org]
Which just goes to prove the rule (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Which just goes to prove the rule (Score:5, Funny)
That there is nothing you cannot solve with some judicious use of duct tape.
Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side and a dark side and it holds the universe together
Re:Which just goes to prove the rule (Score:5, Funny)
Well as seen as these jokes are coming out, heres something I've noticed, specifically you only ever need 2 tools, WD40 and duct tape.
If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape.
It it doesn't move and it should use WD40.
So what happens if you spray WD40 on duct tape. I've considered testing it, but I fear it might cause some sort of paradox, leading to this reality imploding.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
I disagree - the only tool you need is a hammer. EVERY problem can be solved with a hammer, or if it cannot actually be solved, it can be reduced to a simpler form
Re:Which just goes to prove the rule (Score:5, Funny)
I forgot the password to my RSA key, I need to restore it... how to do this with my hammer?
you can either:
a) beat yourself over the head with said hammer until such time as your brainwaves have ceased (thus negating the need for your RSA key)
or
b) attack the encrypted drive with the hammer until such time that it has turned to dust, therefore reducing the problem to that of irrecoverable data loss.
While it is true that your RSA key cannot be recovered with a hammer, these two examples show that the problem can still be simplified with the use of a hammer
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
Like many hardcore geeks (Score:5, Funny)
I don't use harddrives. I just use crocodiles with magnets stuck to their heads.
(I'll get my coat.)
Re: (Score:2)
I don't use harddrives. I just use crocodiles with magnets stuck to their heads.
(I'll get my coat.)
There's an Emacs command for that...
Better crocodiles with magnets (Score:4, Insightful)
Sounds horrible (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
God Help Us All If This Becomes a /. Meme (Score:2, Funny)
Step 1: Tape magnets to crocodile heads.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit!
Step 4: Also, Fuck you.
Snort (Score:2)
Croc shield (Score:2, Funny)
Umm, that isn't a crocodile (Score:2)
Thats a picture of an alligator, with electrical tape on it's head.
Please take notice that crocodiles have long, more narrower shaped heads. Alligators have bigger heads, and tend to be heavier.
Better Idea (Score:2)
why am i the first to say it? (Score:2)
can you imagine a Beowulf cluster of these?
Re:Why? (Score:5, Insightful)
Please read and understand the summary before asking stupid questions.
Why not just shoot them?
Because the objective is to relocate them, not to kill them.
Also, fuck you.
I can't imagine the croc being very happy about being dizzy all the time.
They use the magnetic field for navigation, not balance. Crocodiles don't even have a sense of balance as we know it, what with having no internal ears and all.
More over how does this stop them from wondering in to town?
If they can't find the town, they can't exactly wander through it, now can they?
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Why? (Score:4, Informative)
I am not the AC you're replying to, but:
What makes you think for a second that I was advocating they be shot?
Maybe because you said "Why not just shoot them?"
Wonder around enough and you'll wonder into a town.
Yeah, but we're not talking about wandering into town, we're talking about them going back to the same place they've been removed from.
Honestly - if you'd read the article, you'd have had no reason to ask the questions you did.
Re: (Score:2)
I was asking why not to shoot them, not saying that they should be shot.
Honestly - if you'd read the article, you'd have had no reason to ask the questions you did.
Or I could have at least not misread the summery.
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
I was asking why not to shoot them, not saying that they should be shot.
Frankly, you're an idiot and someone should shoot YOU. And, it's "wander", not "wonder", you brainless twit. :-)
Also, fuck you.
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
I assume you believe, though you say someone should shoot him, that he should not be shot. That's the trend here right?
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
The people responsible for shooting the people responsible for shooting the troll, have been shot.
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
4) Also, fuck you
as our new group meme?
Re: (Score:2)
Can we adopt the _____ as our new group meme?
You must be new here.
Re: (Score:2)
Hell no. Also, fuck you.
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
Okay, here we go:
1) Attach magnets to alligators
2) ???
3) Profit!!!
4) Also, fuck you
Re:Why? (Score:5, Insightful)
Well as an Australian, I often ask the "Why not just shoot them?".
We end up with a bloody Koala problem, where they are overpopulated, and are going to die of starvation. The greenies persuade everyone that the population needs to be reduced. So a cull right?
Hell no. We go in there and neuter them. At several hundred dollars per animal. We knock them out, and cut their nuts off, and stick them back up a tree. All this because they are cute and fluffy.
Of course when it comes to kangaroos, we just shoot them. Guess they didn't evolve to be fluffy and loved by hippies.
These are the same hippies that block the creation of firebreaks... because it destroys the native vegetation. Hows the native vegetation doing now?
FFS. This is why democracy fails - you get raving loonies like this (and our religious net censorship advocate) holding the balance of power.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
I don't know koalas. I do know that neutering and releasing is an effective means of population reduction in some species. The neutered animals compete successfully for mating opportunities and the population's birth rate drops. This can be a more effective and lower cost mode of control than other interventions in some situations. Like if the State has determined that allowing a bunch of hard partying, beer drinking, 4WD driving asshole hunters to screw up the forests is the more costly alternative.
Also,
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Stereotype much, do we?
It goes with my hunting experience. Mostly blacktail deer, occasionally elk, in SW Oregon. I use a .30-06 slide action, left-hand safety, with handloads of fire-formed brass, 165 grain Spitzer tip boat-tails in front of 59 grain Dupont IMR. There is more muzzle flash than I'd like toward sun down, but the combination lets me shoot 3 inch groups at 100 yards and I've been using it for more than 20 years now.
I can do without the beer buddy hunters who come in from the cities and suburbs in their 4WD rigs wi
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
> We end up with a bloody Koala problem
It's the cutest infestation ever.
Re: (Score:2)
"What makes you think for a second that I was advocating they be shot?"
I'd wager a bet it has something to do with the first question you asked, the one that went like this:
"Why not just shoot them?"
But regardless I shall answer the question. For the same reason we can't just shoot people like you - many of us realise the value of life in even the most simple life forms.
Oh and:
"PS: Please don't swear, it serves little purpose but to hurt people's feelings."
Yes, I think that's generally the idea when someone
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
Here in Australia the authorities also try to avoid shooting problem crocs, instead they send them to a croc farm for handbag breeding.
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:2)
Wondering about what? Tasty house pets?
Re:Why? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Why? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Why? (Score:5, Insightful)
Why not just shoot them? I can't imagine the croc being very happy about being dizzy all the time.
To be honest I think they'd like being shot even less.
Re:Why the arrogance? (Score:2, Insightful)
remember that as a species you are the new kid on the block.
have some fucking respect.
nite nite...
as for you mods...get bent.
Memorable Quotes in Slashdot (Score:5, Funny)
Here are the catchy one-liners from this thread alone:
Someone should keep a list of memorable quotes in Slashdot. :-)
Re: (Score:2)
You just did...keep going. I look forward to the next installment of /.s Funniest Quotes. Who knows, maybe the next great meme will burst forth, like an alien from a cyborg's chest.
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
Why not just shoot them? I can't imagine the croc being very happy about being dizzy all the time. More over how does this stop them from wondering in to town?
I don't see the need to mod this -1. I'm from Florida, and "Why not just shoot them?" was the first thing that popped into my head too until I realized that they were really talking about crocs and not alligators - which unfortunately most people don't realize are very different. There alligator population in Florida is in the millions, but there are only a few thousand crocs. Anyway, I thought it was a valid question that deserved a proper answer, not a "fuck you".
Re:Interesting. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Interesting. (Score:4, Funny)
As a long time Florida resident with a heavy involvement in water sports I would just love to congratulate the state for bringing crocs back into my immediate environment. The joy of confronting a ten foot crocodile weighing about 500 lbs. on a popular beach is hard to describe. I did discover that unlike Jesus I can not walk on water.
Re:Interesting. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Interesting. (Score:5, Funny)
Technically it was the crocodile's beach first. Perhaps we should consider strapping magnets to the heads of surfers and relocating them to your pool instead.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
and tonto called, he has tipi in hand and wants you to get your house off his land.
Nowadays, being "first" doesn't make it yours. Having it, and being able to keep it for a sufficient period of time makes it yours.
Re:Interesting. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Long enough to get the police to call off the search... If they even try.
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Interesting. (Score:4, Funny)
You know, water sports are technically illegal in florida under anti-sodomy laws.
Re:Interesting. (Score:4, Funny)
Yeah, but that's one tough son of a bitch to do watersports with a crocodile. Makes that whole trapeze, midget and running start thing seem pretty mainstream if you ask me.
Re:Interesting. (Score:5, Insightful)
As a LIFE LONG Florida resident who's tired of being disturbed by all the noise pollution generated by your jet skis and ski boats I'm cheering for the crocs.
Also, your immediate environment? Your environment is land sonny boy; you don't have gills, you don't have fins, no tail, can't hold your breath more than a few minutes. This is why we had to invent snorkels, SCUBA and why you have to wear a life vest on your water craft. See, the water is the crocs environment and trespassers may be eaten.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
yup, every step off of dry land is a step off of the top of the food chain!
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Your environment is land sonny boy; you don't have gills, you don't have fins, no tail, can't hold your breath more than a few minutes.
Whales, seals, and otters don't have gills either.
Unlike other apes our hair is aligned with the flow of water over our bodies - when swimming, not just when being rained on. And we have much better developed anti-drowning reflexes - both in the breathing system and the circulatory system.
Drop a chimp in a lake and he drowns. Pull him out before he dies and he'll likely ge
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Drop a chimp in a lake and he drowns. Pull him out before he dies and he'll likely get pneumonia anyhow.
Will he get pneumonia before or after he rips your face off?
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Interesting* fact.
If you can run 100 MPH, you can move across water.
*For different values of interesting.
Re:Interesting. (Score:5, Informative)
We have both. We have alligators in most of the state and some crocodiles in the southern part of the state.
The alligators are pretty benign. I encounter them all the time when I'm kayaking and they leave you alone. They're pretty scared of people and about the only time they'd attack is if they mistook you for food or if you got between a mama and her babies.
Crocodiles are supposedly territorial though and much more aggressive.
Re:Interesting. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Interesting. (Score:4, Informative)
Re: (Score:3, Informative)
We do have crocodiles, though they are pretty rare in Florida, especially compared to alligators.
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Re:Interesting. (Score:5, Funny)
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
That's nothing! Now, when crocodiles swim in circles, it'll generate an electric current. Shocking, I tell you!
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
> the lamest thing you could possibly put on a crocs head
Yeah, if you're affixing something to their heads, why not *airquotes* Lasers *airquotes* ?
Re: (Score:2, Funny)
This, friends, is all a cover-up. Plausible deniability and all. "Disorienting crocs". Sure.
If it looks like a croc and walks like a croc, it is abundantly clear that it is just another tool of the concspiracy!
I mean, throw me a frickin' bone here! (Score:2)
You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with frickin' laser beams attached to their heads. Now evidently my cycloptic colleague informs me that that cannot be done. Ah, would you remind me what I pay you people for, honestly? Throw me a bone here! What do we have? Crocodiles with magnets? Are they ill-tempered?