The Infamous Australia's Box Jellyfish

Poisonous Pufferfish vs. Eel (when failing is actually winning)!

This time I had to borrow some incredible images [1] of an attack perpetrated by an improvident Eel against a Poisonous "Fugu" Puffer fish. Dumb idiot!!!. These are the world's most toxic group of fish containing tetrodotoxin in their livers, gonads and skin [2]. Since there is no specific treatment for humans that come into contact with this potent neurotoxin the best remedy is prevention. Unless you are really hungry like this Eel.

 

[1] World's weirdest: Poisonous Puffer fish vs. Eel, National geographic, [http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/weirdest-pufferfish], last visited on the 22nd of May 2015, last update unknown. 

[2] Ahasan, H. A. M. N., Karim, S. R., Bakar, M. A., Gazi, E. A., Bala, C. S. (2004). "Paralytic complications of Puffer Fish (Tetrodoxin) Poisoning". Singapore Medical Journal, 45(20, pp. 73-74.

Survival of the Poisonous: Snake VS. Common Sense

The absurd number of horrid videos posted on YouTube where moccasin snakes are decapitated by Chinese gourmet chefs is ridiculous. It is also ridiculous the number of vile videos mocking the fact that some snakes end up biting their own bodies even when decapitated, in case they sense fear. 

As a vegetarian it really damages me to watch such, thus, I simply don't. As an animal rights supporter I say people can eat whatever they feel like, since I believe in respect for other options and opinions, just don't make a gore fest out of your basic needs. It is wrong. What can possibly be funny about the gore fest images of a head, regardless of its origin, being chopped and then we just stand there watching the head battle for life whilst the blood very slowly cools down to death??? What?

On some occasions fate plays an important role in teaching people the need for a change of attitude, increasing respect for animal life and above all, the need for common sense. Yes, common sense, that same thing Descartes used as topic for one of his dissertations. Descartes ironically said and I quote:

"Common sense is the most fairly distributed thing in the world, for each one thinks he is so well-endowed with it that even those who are hardest to satisfy in all other matters are not in the habit of desiring more of it than they already have".

However, this is also a case of BLATANT IGNORANCE. When you are a professional cook dealing with so-called rare delicacies, you must know that "all reptiles head can function up to one hour even after being severed" as mentioned by a reptile expert in the video. Should I be sorry for the person? I am human thus I must be sorry for the poor guy, but I am also tremendously sorry for the snake, despite whatever feelings that might urge in people's consciences. One thing is to kill when threatened, and other thing is to kill for pleasure... and cooking a rare delicacy is hedonism, pure hedonism, and has nothing of basic need for survival.

Survival of the poisonest: "Rattlesnake vs... Rattlesnake"

You shouldn't be fighting in the middle of a Brazilian country road. The World Cup is about to start! Has no one told you guys that, yet?

Survival of the Poisonous: Marula fruit vs The animals in the jungle

I have been facing real issues to update this blog with some fresh and interesting subjects, as well as to proceed with the ones I've already started. I am sure that on the second week of October I will be a little more available and really nice posts will drop like fresh rain in a dry desert. I actually want to write some opinion articles that will close past ideas and I hope I can count on your interest and experience to develop them even further if you comment and share your views  hereby. 

For the time being I am just raptly moving through my new role of a father to be, supporting my wife in everything necessary and trying to offer her as much support and love I can.

Yesterday, we had our last party at home before the kid is due and we had tremendous fun. People from the lab, friends, the house full and a 6 hours cocktail serving that I had going on with another father-to-be. Non-alcoholic fruit drinks and alcoholic ones, but no one got intoxicated, at least not like the animals you can see on the video down here. There were some funny moments with Mojitos, Apello cocktails, Limer cocktails, White Russian drinks, Virgin Pina Colada, Patria Libre and the like; some nice snacks and desserts the girls prepared for us,... good chatting all afternoon... But contrarily to our gang, these animals down here completely lost their way pretty soon! This battle shows that Marula fruit when fermented takes no prisoners... finishes them off without a trace!!!

Enjoy the narrating, the narrator spices up this video with some very funny comments.

It's like having a huge Pub where all the animals gather to feast on fermented Marula! And the Elephants are the unexpected agitators. The whole furor just proves that every little being in this planet needs a bit of an unwinding now and then; though the hangover is there to tell the tale!

Survival of the Poisonous: Amanita Muscaria vs. Reindeer

Reindeer are way too clever for their own sake. Is such cleverness coming from communicating from within with the higher most? We will probably never know as Reindeer don't really speak... our language I mean. In a battle for survival against the most extreme low temperatures and adverse conditions, Reindeer found an ally in the hallucinogenic Amanita Muscaria (fly agaric). Licking the mushroom, drinking urine with concentrated muscimol and tripping to the sound of Pink Floyd, these animals even play as divinities for the humans they pull the whole cold season through. In this particular battle, a draw is most likely the most acceptable outcome. If you don't believe me, ask Santa.

Survival of the Poisonous: "Ophiocordyceps vs. Ant"

The parasitic Ophiocordyceps unilateralis fungus became famous for its incredible capacity to force ants walk towards their own suicide for the benefit of the fungus. This horrible zombie pattern is so famous and worldwide known that it was granted many hours of TV broadcasting. 

This fungus needs a determined temperature to flourish, but it cannot have access to the desired area just because it has no legs to do the way. Thus, a carrier previously shot with spores plays the crucial role in this necromancy pathway. The ant provides nutrients and a safe environment for the fungus; chemicals produced by the fungus induce the ant's brain (where the fungus is installed) to climb up the vegetation and find a nice sunny comfortable deathbed, and finally when all the conditions are perfect for the fungus to emerge, it's business time... and the horror show happens. The fungus cracks the ant open from inside out and the ant is no more, if ever was.

It's ever more disturbing when one realises that the colony rejects these infected individuals placing them far away from the healthy group. Makes one love our family and also the National Health Service!

There are plenty of good webpages and programs about this topic, so it would be slightly irresponsible to develop something that is so well portrayed and resumed. Nevertheless, just take a look at this incredile video hereby embedded and learn why the victory was always on the fungus side in this second Toxic Battle The Toxicologist Today has brought to you.

Survival of The Poisonous: "Black Mamba vs. Young Lion"

Jesus Christ!!! In my very first attempt to bring the wildest battles to The Toxicologist Today, we are taken to the snake's pit just to see a young lion face death as it unfortunately relaxes under a nice shadow... only to find it to be the exit door of a deadly African Black Mamba. You can feel the tension piling up as the snake does not want to attempt a void strike and the lion pretty much knows that one false movement and it's history! But then there was a moment I just had to admire this young pup utter irresponsibility or plain juvenile ignorance as he starts playing around with some weed and totally ignores the poisonous menace. I'm pretty sure weed was what got this young lion in danger in the first place. When he finally decided to just leave the main entrance of the snake pit, I couldn't believe the snake was actually the one who had pooped her pants.

"Black mamba venom peptides target acid-sensing ion channels to abolish pain"

Read it here.