Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 137
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July 7, 2021
Ripley’s Road Trip: Orlando’s Ancient Gators
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Today: Orlando’s Ancient Alligators
The Original Florida ManBack in 1953, before “Florida Man” was a meme, and before internet memes were even a thing, Robert Ripley added his own delightfully weird chapter to the Sunshine State when he visited a snake and alligator farm in Silver Springs. In a live radio broadcast, he set out to milk rattlesnakes of their venom when he climbed into a pit of 500 of the noisy reptiles. As you might imagine, the timing was, well, not ideal when the lights suddenly went out. Still, Rip was no stranger to danger, and he took it all in slithery stride. He managed to crawl out of the pit and complete the broadcast with the lights back on.
Ripley even shared some of the radio spotlight with Florida’s resident dinosaurs when he told the audience, “Don’t be frightened by all the noise you hear in the background. It’s just the bellowing of the alligators who are all excited by this broadcast from their homeland.”
Robert Ripley at Ross Allen’s Reptile Institute in Silver Springs, Florida
So even though he wasn’t born in Florida—and instead hails from California—Ripley most decidedly earned honorary Florida Man status due to his antics. Now, nearly 70 years later, the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium in Orlando keeps Robert Ripley’s spirit alive with the Weird Florida gallery, featuring artifacts that can only be seen in The City Beautiful.
Keeping Florida WeirdThe Weird Florida gallery highlights items with a special connection to the state, such as the shrunken head and torso owned by Key West resident, author Ernest Hemingway. Additionally, because Florida is home to its own swampy Sasquatch legend known as the Skunk Ape, there is a rare Yeti footprint on display next to a mural featuring the creature.
Just as they did in Ripley’s broadcast, alligators get a place of honor in the Weird Florida gallery, and for good reason. The 150-million-year-old reptiles are synonymous with the state and can be found in almost any Florida body of freshwater (including, sometimes, swimming pools). Interestingly, according to the National Parks Service website for the Everglades, “of the 23 different species of crocodilians in the world, two species are native to the United States, and south Florida is the only place where both of these species coexist.”
Plus, they are old-school Floridians and haven’t changed much.
According to Evan Whiting, lead author of two University of Florida studies published in the Journal of Herpetology and Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaoecology, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) one might have encountered eight million years ago, and even close to 30 million years ago, looked about the same as its ancestors in the waters today. Aside from sharks, not many vertebrate species can make the claim they were untouched by major evolutionary change for so long.
Scaling Up The Strange at Ripley’s OrlandoVisitors to Ripley’s Orlando can see for themselves when they check out the fossilized gator on display, one of the most complete specimens ever discovered. Scientists believe the not-so-little critter slid into a limestone crevice on the bottom of a prehistoric lake and was quickly covered by fine silt and clay, which ensured its preservation. It was recovered only a few years ago in Northern Florida, and it retains the interesting orange-brown color of the ancient clay.
But down in the Everglades, Florida’s alligators share the water with some cousins: the American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus). Though gators can be found throughout the Southeastern United States, the American croc—not to be confused with the larger, more aggressive Australian and African varieties—does not typically venture north of the brackish or saltwater of South Florida.
On the topic of crocodiles, other fascinating items on display at the Orlando Odditorium are the decorated crocodile skulls, likely from the Iatmul people who live along the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea. While one is decorated mostly with paint, it has cowrie shells in its eye sockets. Meanwhile, another skull is covered in clay and adorned with significantly more cowrie shells.
Aside from being artistic, these decorations connect to Iatmul creation stories. They worship the crocodile, and believe life is descended from the beasts. It is said the first woman married a crocodile, and her children were both, alternately, reptiles and humans. Though the father of humans, the crocodile is also feared by the people.
With regards to the indigenous people of the southern states, these ancient monsters were likewise present in lore, and they became symbols for foresight or good fortune. In one tale, an alligator in need taught one hunter in exchange for the hunter carrying him to water—a wise lesson about only killing older bucks who no longer had more to give to the earth. Another story is of a vain gator with pristine smooth skin who got too close to a burning tree, and was burned forever, and that’s why its skin is harsh to this day. And yet another story says the alligator got its bellow after he stole a ball from the woodland creatures, and an eagle sunk its talons into him to retrieve the toy.
Where To Next?These great beasts are so intertwined in the identity of Orlando, and Florida as whole. And the Weird Florida gallery, only at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando, is the perfect place to flash a big toothy smile and pay homage to the Sunshine State’s resident dinosaurs.
See for yourself with a visit to the Odditorium. And don’t forget to sound off in the comments and across social media to let us know where to go for our next Ripley’s Road Trip destination!
By Aaron Sagers, contributor for Ripleys.com and host of Ripley’s Road Trip
RIPLEY’S ROAD TRIP GEAR Shop the series that follows host Aaron Sagers as he travels to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums around the country to discover what is unique to each location, from local legends and lore to one-in-a-million exhibits that make for a Bucket List must!
July 6, 2021
The Idea That Bullfrogs Never Sleep Is Bull
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
We all know that sleep plays a vital role in human health and well-being. A full and restful night of shut-eye comes with countless benefits. It lets our bodies and minds mend and recover, and it permits us to wake up each morning with more energy and vigor to face the challenges of the day (usually). During a typical night of sleep, humans experience between four and six sleep cycles. All told, REM sleep—that coveted state where the mind and body rests and heals deeply—accounts for about a quarter of a healthy adult’s total sleep for a given night.
But if you assume these sleep requirements apply to the animal kingdom, think again. Animals have devised fascinating ways to rest while on the go, maintaining enough alertness to evade predators trying to surprise them during a snooze fest. Bullfrogs prove so good at this strategy that scientists once assumed they didn’t sleep at all. But recent research provides a more nuanced perspective.
Strategic Snoozing in the Animal KingdomSleep can get you killed in the wild. After all, many predators are nocturnal, and they don’t have any qualms about waking up their prey mid-bite. As a result, animals have developed unique ways to rest while still maintaining enough awareness to avoid becoming a lion’s midnight snack.
These adaptations have provided scientists with a greater understanding of sleep functions in animals and humans alike. They also offer fascinating insights into the secret lives of animals, from dolphins to giraffes.
The Marvels of Unihemispheric SleepingFor example, dolphins rely on unihemispheric sleep for rest while remaining on guard for predators. How do they pull off such a nifty trick? While one hemisphere of their brain rests, the other side stays active. Alternating between both hemispheres, dolphins ensure enough rest for their whole brain without becoming great white shark bait.
jeffk42 via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)
The same goes for Alpine swifts. While migrating to southern Africa, they often spend up to 200 days in the air, experiencing uninterrupted flight. But, like dolphins, they also partake in unihemispheric rest.
The Masters of Power NappingAs for giraffes? They sleep in short bursts and prove capable of falling into deep sleep phases quickly and irregularly. What about other animals? Horses nap for approximately 15 minutes at a time, either lying down or standing. They get their best sleep in groups, with at least one individual keeping watch over the rest of the herd.
Sum_of_Marc via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
As you can see, animals have developed amazing and unique ways to get a little sleep while staying safe from predators. But how do bullfrogs fit into the mix?
Resting Versus SleepingAre bullfrogs unihemispheric sleepers like dolphins and Alpine swifts, or do they indulge in short power naps like giraffes and horses? Are the myths true about bullfrogs not requiring any sleep at all? The short and sweet answer to each of these questions is “no.” Instead, they “rest” throughout the day. But these brief dalliances with a nap never quite reach an inattentive state.
Of course, that doesn’t mean they go their whole lives without catching their Zzzs, either. Instead, consider them binge sleepers. They rest lightly throughout their active months, but when hibernation season comes around, they dive in deep… to sleep, that is. As for resting during non-hibernation months? Can we call that sleep? It depends on who you ask.
matthewbeziat via Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)
More Research NeededA 1967 study concluded that bullfrogs showed the same response time whether fully awake or resting. As a result, they concluded, perhaps erroneously, that these frogs don’t sleep at all. But since that time, other scientists have raised concerns about how the bullfrogs were tested. Researchers like Chiara Cirelli and Giulio Tononi have argued that “more experiments are needed before concluding that bullfrogs do not sleep.”
Until this research gets conducted, the final word on bullfrog beauty sleep remains up in the air. But we can say with certainty that, like college students after finals, binge sleeping bullfrogs know how to make up for lost time come hibernation.
By Engrid Barnett, contributor for Ripleys.com
EXPLORE THE ODD IN PERSON! Discover hundreds of strange and unusual artifacts and get hands-on with unbelievable interactives when you visit a Ripley’s Odditorium!
July 5, 2021
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Lady Liberty’s Roundabout Journey To New York
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
From sea to shining sea, one lady leads the way as a symbol of freedom, independence, and opportunity. The Statue of Liberty represents far more than just an icon or tourist attraction. She stands tall in Upper New York Bay, watching over the city and years of history that came before her. While today approximately 3.5 million admirers visit the Statue of Liberty each year, her journey to Liberty Island almost didn’t happen! Let’s take a trip to New York, New York, to learn more about America’s leading Lady Liberty.
The same man who built the Eiffel Tower designed the skeleton of the Statue of Liberty.The Statue of Liberty was sculpted and created as a gift from France to the United States. She was meant to commemorate the new alliance between the two countries during the American Revolution, as well as act as an emblem for immigrants seeking refuge.
As one might imagine, it took a true team to conceptualize, build, and deliver a gift of such stature. The monument’s original proposal was born from French political thinker and abolitionist, Édouard de Laboulaye. Laboulaye took his idea to the sculptor responsible for Lady Liberty, and a great supporter of his vision, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi.
Bartholdi originally created the statue out of hammered copper sheets. To hold the monument in place, a skeleton was constructed using steel. This interior structure was designed by Alexandre-Gustave Eiffel—the man who built the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, June 1885, showing woodcuts of the completed statue in Paris, Bartholdi, and the statue’s interior structure.
Though a gift from France to America, Lady Liberty’s arrival had some strings attached.The intention of the French was to bestow the statue upon the United States as a symbolic gift. However, in order to make Bartholdi’s work a reality, Americans had to put in some work. Where would such an iconic monument stand?
When America turned up less than enthusiastic about the idea of fundraising for Lady Liberty’s new home base, Bartholdi took matters into his own hands and planned the publicity stunt of the century: The Arm of Liberty on tour.
The Statue of Liberty’s torch-bearing arm was displayed for the first time at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition, before making its way to New York. Visitors could pay to climb a ladder into the statue’s arm and up to the torch—a true insider look.
Stereoscopic image of right arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty, 1876 Centennial Exposition
The New York Times called her earliest form “utterly valueless.”Bartholdi’s arm stunt wasn’t exactly a fail, but it wasn’t quite a success, either. Even after ticket sales and public buzz, New York wasn’t sold on the arm sticking around in their Madison Square Garden territory. They deemed the Statue of Liberty project, “suspended in consequence of a lack of funds.”
In that same debut year, The New York Times knocked Bartholdi for his creative arm-tour idea saying, “… arms without any accompanying woman would be utterly valueless.” They also released a statement declaring that the arm is the only part of the statue the state would receive, as it is doubtful the American public would pay the cost of finishing the whole monument.
The Statue of Liberty could have lived 150 feet up in the air.With New York’s lackluster attitude towards Lady Liberty, it’s no surprise that the feud for her custody started to stir amongst other states. Though on any other given day, New Yorkers were indifferent about Lady Liberty’s residency in the Big Apple, it was only when another state or city showed interest that they had a strong passion to keep her.
While her debut city of Philadelphia was always a contender for the statue, Boston, Massachusetts, also showed great interest in moving Lady Liberty to their territory. When New Yorkers caught wind of their interest in 1882, The New York Times shut down the idea quickly writing, “Let Boston be warned in time that she can’t have our Liberty.”
But, the callers didn’t end in Massachusetts. In 1883, The Washington Post reported that they had a vision of Lady Liberty 150 feet up resting atop the Washington Monument! The Washington Post essentially called out New York for taking their sweet time financially backing Lady Lib—if they didn’t act quickly, someone was going to steal her away.
The bidding war ended years later after New York kicked their fundraising efforts into high gear. From advertisements selling “$1 miniature Statuettes” to bigger events like concerts and art exhibits, eventually, New York’s Liberty love paid off. The Statue of Liberty found her permanent home in 1886 on Liberty Island.
What exactly do the seven spikes of the Statue of Liberty represent?According to most, including the National Park Service official site, the seven spikes atop the Statue of Liberty’s head are meant to represent the seven seas and seven continents of the world.
However, the park’s official librarian and author of The Statue of Liberty Encyclopedia, Barry Moreno, argues that fact isn’t exactly true. “The spikes are sun rays,” he says, and the circle is “simply a halo or what in art is called a nimbus, showing she is divine.” He told NPR.org that the statue’s official website needs to be changed to correct this inconsistency.
Carlos Delgado, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Statue of Liberty has a waistline of 35 feet.The numbers speak for themselves when it comes to the Statue of Liberty’s enormous stature of 305 feet, 1 inch. Her touring torch-bearing arm alone measures in at 42 feet. The tablet in her opposing hand is inscribed with the date July 4, 1776, written in Roman numerals as JULY IV MDCCLXXVI, and measures 23 feet, 7 inches tall.
Those seven rays atop her head? Each one measures up to nine feet in length and weighs as much as 150 pounds. And speaking of carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders, Lady Liberty herself weighs a total of about 450,000 pounds.
As if one Statue of Liberty wasn’t enough, just in time for the Independence Day celebrations, France recently sent the U.S. another, smaller version of the monument! After ten years on display at the museum Musée des Arts et Métiers, this short bronze beauty is officially on the move. Only 1/16th the size of the original Statue of Liberty, the temporary display will be much easier to move than her big sister.
This mini-me replica will be on display alongside Lady Liberty on Ellis Island for Independence Day 2021 before moving to Washington, D.C., where it will remain until 2031.
Robert Ripley looking at the Statue of Liberty from in the distance while onboard a ship.
THE STRANGEST STORIES OF THE YEAR Now that you’ve read the strangest stories of the week, how about the strangest stories of the year? Ripley’s all-new annual is an all-true collection of incredible facts, unexpected stories, and stunning photography!Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog
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