Gordon Grice's Blog, page 84

North Carolina Shark Attack

Jlencion/Creative Commons

Shark bites tourist at Kure Beach | StarNewsOnline.com:

"As we were running ashore, the shark kept chasing us … It didn't stop until we were about 5 feet from the shoreline," Matt said in a phone interview Friday. "My brother said he saw the fear in our eyes."

Kure Beach officials confirmed Friday that a shark between 4- and 6-feet long bit Trang, 28, about 5 p.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of the H Avenue beach access. The attack occurred about 15 feet from shore in about a foot of water.

What's so scary about pit bulls?

Creative Commons/Tatiana Sapateiro

Fact checker: What's so scary about pit bulls? | Reno Gazette-Journal | rgj.com:

Are pit bulls more aggressive than other dog breeds? Here's a fresh take on this long-running controversy.
"You're more likely to be killed by your own mother than a pit bull."

Coyote Attacks in Colorado

"A second coyote attack on a child within the past month. . . . "

Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake

Thanks to J. A. O' Ruiz Gutierrez, who sent me these pictures of the Mexican West Coast rattlesnake, also known as the green rattlesnake because of the olive color adults develop. At more than six and half feet, the largest specimens rival the size of the Western diamondbacks I wrote about in Red Hourglass.

Details on One of the Russian Shark Attacks, Plus Another Shark Attack in Puerto Rico

'Sea animal' bites off both swimmer's arms | Herald Sun:

"A woman vacationing in Puerto Rico was mauled by a shark in the bioluminescent bay of Vieques, requiring emergency surgery for wounds to the leg, officials said."

Hammerheads Suspected in Russian Shark Attacks

Two Shark Attacks in Russia in One Day - International Business Times:

"Another man near Vityaz village had both his arms bit off by a rogue shark. The 25-year-old was about 30 miles from the location of the first incident, and according to reports, he fought off the animal to protect his wife."

Webs in the Pines

D'Arcy notice these oddly spherical webs in pine trees. Closer examination revealed a nondescript brown spider entering one of the spheres. Since these are spherical, rather than flat, they don't seem to match the webs of the agelinid spiders we often see here in western Wisconsin. I wanted to examine them myself, but when I arrived a couple of days later, the spheres were gone. I wonder if masses of hatchlings made them? 

Photography by D'Arcy Allison-Teasley

Seychelles Shark Kills Honeymoon Tourist

Seychelles Shark Kills Honeymoon Tourist : Discovery News:

"THE GIST

The shark ripped off the tourist's arm and tore into his leg.
The attack occurred in the same spot where a French diver was killed earlier in the month.
The Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority issued a swimming ban at the Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette beaches."
No word yet on what species of shark is involved. Thanks to Croconut for the news tip. 

Wild boars invade farms, attack pets, chase people

Wild boars invade farms, attack pets | Reuters:

"'We've shot them right square in the head and the bullet will glance off and they'll get up and go. Their skulls are so thick in the front, if you don't happen to hit it at a perfect 90 degrees, with the way their heads have that kind of curved shape, the bullet will glance right off,' he added."
Worldwide, feral pigs have been among the most destructive invasive species. Fortunately, they're delicious.

Thanks to Steve V. for the news tip.


Related Post: Wild Boars of Germany

First U.S. Fatality from Vampire Bat Rabies

Vampire bat attack! Migrant worker becomes first U.S. fatality - U.s. - Catholic Online:

"A 19-year-old Mexican migrant worker who was bitten by a vampire bat in Michoacán, Mexico later fell ill and died while he was working at picking cane sugar at a Louisiana plantation has become the first reported U.S. fatality due to a vampire bat attack. Before his death from a virulent form of rabies, the young man complained of fatigue, shoulder pain, numbness in his left hand and a drooping left eye."
The article, quoting a CDC publication, claims the range of the vampire bats may be creeping northward because of global warming.