Comments on: More OOPA: Shark and Kangaroo

By: sadisticgreen

sadisticgreen — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:00:57 +0000

There seem to be quite a few different shark species heading to more northerly climes in the last few years. Over here in the UK there are now frequent sightings of Blue, Mako and even Great white sharks. At first these were localised to the southernmost tip of cornwall but more and more seem to be popping up as far north as Northumberland. Climate change it may well be but it certainly makes life more exciting for us surfers!!

By: Mnynames

Mnynames — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 04:20:22 +0000

This is a most unusual report, as to the best of my knowledge (and I talk to the public about sharks almost every day), the only native North American shark capable of surviving in freshwater is the bull shark, and the picture clearly shows that no misidentification has occurred. Bonnetheads are not bottom dwellers, but are more typical of the fast, predatory sharks that most people expect, which for practical purposes means that it must keep in constant motion, swimming in order to breathe. Anyone able to keep one in an aquarium for any length of time would certainly know not to dump the darn thing in a creek, and would have to have some money to be able to afford a tank large enough to allow the free motion of such a shark. At slightly longer than a samurai sword, this shark’s captivity would not be impossible, but very unlikely for the average experienced home aquarist. Due to the great distances required for it to have naturally swam to this location however, coupled with the recent rainfall (Making the salinocline much closer to the mouths of ocean-accessible rivers), I just can’t see how this shark could have done so. I would have to conclude that the most likely explanation to this find is that one was dumped here, possibly from someone who kept it in captivity, but perhaps slightly more plausibly someone who caught it off the coast and trucked it back. With water temperatures off of NJ at near-record highs for this time of year, it is not implausible for bonnetheads to still be swimming here at this time of year.

All in all though, most puzzling, and I’m very interested in what others might think on the matter.

By: daledrinnon

daledrinnon — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 14:24:28 +0000

I had been on the lookout for freshwater hammerhead shark reports, but so far this is the most definite evidence I had seen on the subject. They are often rumored in parts of Latin America but without any definite evidence that this is so. Most authorities dismiss such reports.

By: qumrum

qumrum — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 17:36:48 +0000

My brother told me he saw a kangaroo running through a field near his home in NE Alabama recently. His friends called him crazy, but I know there’s all kind of strange critters in rural America. Anyone ever hear of the Ball Play monster? Bigfoot type from those parts.

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 16:00:56 +0000

It is very odd for a bonnethead to be found that far North at that time of year. Also, although there are sharks that venture quite far into fresh water, namely the bull shark, the bonnethead has not really shown this tendency. There is also the matter that some research has indicated that the bonnethead has a very specialized diet, mostly blue crabs. I doubt this creek habitat would have been much to this specimen’s liking. That would go a lot towards explaining why it washed up dead on the shore. It might have wandered here somehow, but it seems like a peculiar place for this particular species to end up. Sharks are very durable and hardy creatures, but this is really quite an odd occurrence for one of this species to be found so far North, in freshwater nonetheless. I also doubt someone would have kept one of this size in some sort of huge aquarium facility. I do not believe this species would do well that sort of environment, as it is a very negatively buoyant shark and will sink if not in constant motion. The aquarium would be beyond the feasible size for a fish hobbyist in order to accommodate this. Besides, even if it had managed to survive in someone’s aquarium, why release it into the creek?

By: Rabbit

Rabbit — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 04:12:27 +0000

Ha ha

Funnily enough hopping out in front of cars is what ‘Roos’ do best back here in Oz too.

I’ve struggled to swerve out of their way before only to have the things swerve with me, as if determined to be hit. They stand around in groups by the roadside waiting for cars and trucks, then dash out in front of it to see who can become road kill. So of course one lone Kangaroo in the states once escaped will head straight for the nearest speeding car to bounce of the bonnet or grill.

I don’t think the OOPAs are surprising they seem to fit the pattern of climate change which is being experienced in many different ways about the planet.

I’d say we “aint’ seen nuthin yet” either. Crocodiles are migrating further and further down the coast here in Western Australia as the Sea waters seem to be warming. A Croc though it was dead washed up on the beach at Shark Bay a while back. That is only a few hundred kilometers North of Perth.

By: yarnall

yarnall — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 03:41:34 +0000

A young shark of unknown species was found in the Heron Lake outlet (a medium size creek) near Heron Lake, Minnesota circa 1980. The corpse was shown to high school students (including my wife) by her high school science teacher. If it made the journey itself, it may have come up the Des Moines River. I know there are fresh water sharks.

By: vet72

vet72 — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 03:31:31 +0000

I haven’t seen anything on the local news here in Pittsburgh yet in regards to the extremely wayward shark in Punxsutawney. Quite intriguing to say the least. I’m hoping the PPG Aquarium at the Pgh. Zoo will have an interest in this and see what they have to say. Great post Loren!

By: Dragonheart

Dragonheart — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:55:38 +0000

Hm, could that be attributed to global warming?

By: captiannemo

captiannemo — Sat, 06 Jan 2007 01:09:04 +0000

Now THIS is why I log on to web site!

Stuff you don’t read about anywhere else!

Thanks Loren!