BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct

Subject: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 09:09 PM

I found it difficult to believe this article at first but now I am a believer. But make up your own mind: click here for report

Ball's Pyramid is certainly an extreme environment.

I wonder how they taste?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Bobert
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 09:16 PM

We got wood roaches bigger than that... And fast... Can outrun a horse...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: gnu
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 09:21 PM

Break out the beer and crackers and fire up the pot?

No, Bobert... the lobster pot. Geeze oh eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: artbrooks
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 10:06 PM

Two of them are now in a breeding program at the Melbourne Zoo and 'Adam' and 'Eve' and "through them 11,376 babies are now in incubation". Don't tell Rush Limbaugh.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Rapparee
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 10:16 PM

Or Rick Santorum.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Janie
Date: 03 Mar 12 - 10:17 PM

Very cool!

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 02:11 AM

I thought this was going to be about Sinsull getting another big, red, blow-up lobster to put in her tree, again, truly, I did!

The truth is astonishing and pretty kewl to read about. That rock is amazing!! I hope they have thought of the environmental issues of unleashing a gazillion of them through the breeding program, though!:-)It could be the end of the world as we know it. I'll bet they and the roaches will join forces!

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 02:20 AM

More of the details in a story from Robert Krulwich at NPR a few days ago, including the history of their (apparent) extinction and a video of one hatching:

Six-Legged Giant Finds Secret Hideaway, Hides For 80 Years

It is a cool story.

~ Becky in Tucson

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: My guru always said
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 03:36 AM

How fantastic!! Thanks for posting this!

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 04:56 AM

Does SINSULL know about this? I mean she had a tree lobster for years and there was not so much fuss, except maybe some annoyance from the neighborhood beautification corps.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: MartinRyan
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 05:02 AM

On holidays in Kenya a few years ago, I was on a boardwalk through a mangrove swamp on the Indian Ocean and found it rather disconcerting to have (tree-)crabs cavorting through the branches over my head!

Regards

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 10:20 AM

Evidently the captive breeding program has been very successful as pointed out before. Researchers found only a couple of dozen on the island pyramid, which rises from the sea higher than the Empire State Building. Now they have 700 adults, and thousands of eggs incubating.

They are said to be highly intelligent, with a fondness for fresh hamburger.

You don't suppose they could escape the lab...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: EBarnacle
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 10:28 AM

I wondah how the taste with melted buttah.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 10:33 AM

No wonder Maine (and New Hampshire) lobstermen refer to Homarus americanus as "bugs"!

As to Homarus sinsullus, the original Maine-variety tree lobster was laid to rest several years ago, but I was able, by astute bartering at a yardsale, to procure a pristine inflatable lobster still in its original box that I presented to Mary some time ago.

That it doesn't live in the traditional tree is probably the result of the lack of Republicans generating hot air in Sinsull's living room.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 10:39 AM

This is an Australian plot to take over the Maine lobster industry! Raise them on dry land, far fewer harvesting problems.

Whenever I see a wild one in Idaho I think I'll shoot it.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 10:50 AM

If the story's details are factual, i.e. thousands of them hatched, I find it difficult not to be concerned with the implications. Does anyone know the insect's diet, habits, impacts on other organisms and animals? It reminds me forcibly of bringing in a species to control an annoyance then another species to attempt the control of the 'cure' then another..

Why breed so many? To what end?

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 01:37 PM

"Why breed so many? To what end?"

They were no particular problem on their original island....in fact, they were used for bait until wiped out by rats- a far worse nuisance.

What end? Because science hates to see any species disappear.... you never know which one will be crucial.

They are not talking about introducing them to Idaho....just back to Lord Howe island...once they can deal with the rats.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Bill D
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 01:40 PM

Oh...BTW.. if you look at Lord Howe Island in Google Earth, you see it has a very narrow 'waist' where the airfield in located. They are planning some 'safe' spot on the island.... and I'd bet guess it involves controlling that open space of the airfield.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Rapparee
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 07:11 PM

I think that this is an Ozzie plot to take over Idaho's thriving lobster industry, that's what I think.

First Idaho, then where? Maine? Picture Kendall in one of them hats that's bent up on the side and saying, "Fair dimkum day, mate!" while wearing a Speedo.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Mar 12 - 10:38 PM

hahahhah

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 09:45 AM

I thought my tree lobster was the last. He finally came down in a Nor'easter with a tear in his hide.
BUT I have a replacement to go up next lobster boil.
I read about these hardy creatures surviving on a single bush in the middle of nowhere..Reminded me og Jurassic Park - "Life finds a way."
Good on them. I would love a pair.

Subject: RE: BS: Tree Lobsters No Longer Extinct
From: ranger1
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 06:51 PM

Much like Kat, I thought this thread was going to be about something in SINSULL's backyard. I'm not sure if I'm excited or disappointed...