Scientists baffled by giant shrimp in Ukraine
Tests are being carried out on a strange creature caught in the Donetsk region of western Ukraine. Images of the weird shrimp-like animal were first captured on a mobile phone camera.
Scientist failed to identify the creature immediately but suspect it could be related to the tadpole shrimp.
These creatures inhabit every continent and can live in virtually any watery area, including puddles.
However, the tadpole shrimp, one of the oldest animals on Earth, does not usually grow bigger than 5-6 centimetres, while the creature caught in Ukraine was almost 20 centimetres long.
Note to Russian Journalists: I know it’s hard to keep focused on such stuff, what with your president murdering you guys all the time, but when picking a photo for an object that’s reportedly huge, something in the photo to scale it against is always helpful.
#1 by MatthewF on September 22, 2008 - 8:40 am
Quote
no no no, that’s a face hugger. damn the Weyland-Yutani corportation, they couldn’t leave it alone!
p.s. pedantic me says Ukraine not a part of Russia since 1991
#2 by kbegg on September 22, 2008 - 8:50 am
Quote
Well, the newspaper that reported this is Russian, but the story just says Ukraine. In any case, I assume no Ukrainian would accuse you of being “pedantic” on this score!
#3 by Anrkist on September 22, 2008 - 8:58 am
Quote
Send in the S.S. Doom Trooper to investigate.
#4 by The Rev. D.D. on September 22, 2008 - 9:09 am
Quote
“These creatures inhabit every continent and can live in virtually any watery area, including puddles.”
Even Antarctica? I guess maybe in the oceans around it?
After looking up “tadpole shrimp” I realized with a start that I’ve seen fossils of similar critters; so they have indeed been around for a while. That picture only shows the underside; if you find pictures from above, you too may recognize it. Like a shrimp and a trilobite (or maybe a horseshoe crab) got Brundleflied.
Anyway, sounds like you could set up a Frankenfish-type film with this critter, especially if they get mutated enough to come out on land for short periods of time. If not, you could still go the Piranha route.
You’ll also have to make ’em uglier, ’cause (at least to me) they’re kinda cute. (Granted, the only other person around these parts who may think that is Ms. Kingsley…so maybe it won’t be a problem.) Of course, it’d be more subversive if something cute killed people…
#5 by Ken Begg on September 22, 2008 - 9:24 am
Quote
“Of course, it’d be more subversive if something cute killed people…”
Which is why Night of the Lepus is the horror classic it is.
#6 by El Santo on September 22, 2008 - 9:56 am
Quote
“You’ll also have to make ‘em uglier, ’cause (at least to me) they’re kinda cute.”
Way cuter than sea monkeys. As regards the size, for the metrically impaired, 20 centimeters is just a hair less than eight inches– so damn big for a shrimp, but certainly not monstrous relative to a human being.
#7 by Blake Matthews on September 22, 2008 - 10:11 am
Quote
When Ifirst saw the photo, I thought it was a trilobite.
#8 by KeithA on September 22, 2008 - 11:27 am
Quote
When chupacabras learn to ride these things, we all of us are doomed.
#9 by Blake Matthews on September 22, 2008 - 12:08 pm
Quote
“When chupacabras learn to ride these things, we all of us are doomed.”
That is, unless, we can get the American football-trained Yetis on our side.
#10 by The Rev. D.D. on September 22, 2008 - 7:26 pm
Quote
“Which is why Night of the Lepus is the horror classic it is.”
Touche’, Mr. Begg. You win this round.
(Cpt. Kirk) KEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!! (/Cpt. Kirk)
#11 by Carl on September 23, 2008 - 5:49 am
Quote
I’m way out of date on my bio, but that’s no trilobite. Sure looks like a decapod crustacean.
#12 by Gentle Benj on September 24, 2008 - 2:50 pm
Quote
Video here! Icky.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O4CdPTKapU