Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

WillParkinson

(16,862 posts)
Mon Aug 6, 2012, 04:22 AM Aug 2012

Penis Snake is neither penis nor snake, but looks like both

Penis Snake is neither penis nor snake, but looks like both

When a crew of engineers stumbled across this critter while building a dam in the Amazon, many dubbed it the "penis snake," and it's easy to see why. But this phallic squirmer isn't a snake at all but an extremely rare, limbless amphibian.

Last year, a group of engineers draining a portion of the Madeira River in Brazil discovered six of these creatures, which biologist Julian Tupan identified as Atretochoana eiselti. A. eiselti is a caecilian, one of the oder of amphibians that resembles worms and snakes due to its lack of limbs. It's also the largest known tetrapod to possess no lungs; it's believed that it breathes through its skin, but it's still unclear just how the amphibian manages to intake sufficient oxygen to survive.

What's especially interesting about A. eiselti (aside from its resemblance to human genitalia) is that, until last year, the species was known only from two preserved specimens. In fact, before A. eiselti was discovered in the warm, turbid waters of the Madeira River, it was theorized that they lived instead in the cold, oxygen-rich waters of an elevated region. So this discovery has offered biologists a unique opportunity to study the species. However, given that the species is likely rare, it's a bit distressing that the species was discovered during the drainage of its habitat. In discussing the conservation of the Amazon, won't somebody please think of the penis snakes?



http://io9.com/5931784/penis-snake-is-neither-penis-nor-snake-but-looks-like-both

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Penis Snake is neither penis nor snake, but looks like both (Original Post) WillParkinson Aug 2012 OP
That old song Kurovski Aug 2012 #1
An expression from the '60s comes to mind too dipsydoodle Aug 2012 #8
Hee Kurovski Aug 2012 #11
My penis does not look like that... Drunken Irishman Aug 2012 #2
Hm.... WillParkinson Aug 2012 #3
"like that" Skittles Aug 2012 #5
Lol! Kurovski Aug 2012 #12
AWWWWW Skittles Aug 2012 #17
Skittles noticed me! Kurovski Aug 2012 #18
YEE HAW!!!!!!!!!!!! Skittles Aug 2012 #20
A million years from now, fossilized penai will be blamed on satan, another clever ruse to 2on2u Aug 2012 #4
That was... WillParkinson Aug 2012 #7
That's the uncut version. nt eppur_se_muova Aug 2012 #14
heh heh heh progressoid Aug 2012 #19
Unlike Rmoney formercia Aug 2012 #6
Don't forget... Kurovski Aug 2012 #13
But what does it look like when it gets hard? longship Aug 2012 #9
Ask and ye shall recieve. JoeyT Aug 2012 #10
Pink and hard in the morning ? dipsydoodle Aug 2012 #15
A Snake that can't move? formercia Aug 2012 #16

dipsydoodle

(42,239 posts)
8. An expression from the '60s comes to mind too
Mon Aug 6, 2012, 06:47 AM
Aug 2012

Last edited Mon Aug 6, 2012, 02:08 PM - Edit history (1)

The one eyed trouser snake.

 

2on2u

(1,843 posts)
4. A million years from now, fossilized penai will be blamed on satan, another clever ruse to
Mon Aug 6, 2012, 06:23 AM
Aug 2012

make us believe in things that never existed. Please do not confuse this creature with the Korean penis fish, the likeness is only in your mind.

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=8d8_1326736023

longship

(40,416 posts)
9. But what does it look like when it gets hard?
Mon Aug 6, 2012, 07:19 AM
Aug 2012

And does Viagra have anything to do with this?

Given its apparent limpness, maybe they ought to call it "Bob Dole".

(rim shot)

I'll be here all night. Don't forget to tip your waitress.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»Penis Snake is neither pe...