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Crocodiles With Frickin' Magnets Attached to Their Heads

Posted by samzenpus on from the stick-one-on-the-fridge dept.

Brickwall writes "Florida, faced with a problem of crocodiles returning to residential neighborhoods after being relocated elsewhere, is trying to solve it by affixing magnets to the crocs' heads. The theory is the crocodiles use the Earth's magnetic field for navigation, and the magnets may interfere with that. What I'd like to know is, whose job is it to put the magnets on?" So far the magnet program appears to be working, unfortunately the crocs have started to collect huge amounts of take-out menus and child artwork.

2 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. Natural selection by Harmonious+Botch · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Not trying to troll here, but why not just shoot them? Some crocs appear to love to be around humans, some not. Kill the ones who do, and let the ones who prefer to stay away from people have the chance to breed. In a few decades, we'll have a race of human-adverse crocs.

    1. Re:Natural selection by Muad'Dave · · Score: 4, Interesting

      ...artificial selection for a specific desired result - basically, de-facto breeding of shy crocs. This is interesting, though likely illegal and unworkable.

      Illegality aside, these scientists artificially selected 'shy' foxes for breeding and ended up with tame, dog-like foxes. Fascinating read, BTW.

      --
      Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.