The Worldwide Scoop » animals

The Worldwide Scoop Video Episode 1: Freaks of Nature

Scoopmaster — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:21:52 +0000

In our premiere episode, Courtney and Theo uncover the details behind a few of Mother Nature’s more bizarre creations: brain eating amoebas, vampire moths, and the so-called “Mermaid of the Yangtze.”

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Honey, There’s a Python in our Toilet!

Scoopmaster — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:36:49 +0000

You’ve heard of “pipe dreams” — how about “pipe nightmares”?

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to take a leak and finding this in your toilet: the head of a snake. A living snake. Attached to six feet more of living snake…

That’s what the residents of one Australian apartment discovered today: a six-foot-long black-headed python in their toilet. While snakes are not uncommon in the city of Darwin, Australia, they’re not exactly common in apartment plumbing — particularly up on the 10th floor of a high-rise building, which is where this one was found.

A professional reptile catcher was called in to wrangle and capture the serpent. “When I saw it I was pretty shocked,” he said. “I had to give him a wash because he was wet and a bit smelly.” Fortunately, no one was harmed, not even the snake. We can only imagine what could have happened…

Care for a Glass of Fermented Tiger?

Scoopmaster — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:37:40 +0000

If you’re in China this summer, and the heat gives rise to a mighty thirst, just visit one of the local wildlife parks for a nice tall glass of tiger wine… That’s not some brand name: staff of two Chinese parks recently offered visitors a beverage made from tiger carcasses soaked in rice wine. The problem? Tigers are an endangered species, and trade in any of their parts — including elements of soaked carcasses — is internationally prohibited. But that hasn’t stopped these tipplers, who see tiger wine as a cure for arthritis and rheumatism.

Despite the temptation, the Worldwide Scoop staff politely declined these servings of Chateau de Cat Corpse — we’ll happily stick to Red Bull and vodka.