August 01, 2007

'The Living Intestine' - As an underwater videographer, Jay Garbose has captured images for National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. But he had never seen anything like this before. "This is a first," he says, "and I've traveled and videoed all over the world.."

Watch the YouTube video, his original footage, linked above, & read Jay's description, culled from NBC6.net's (rather poor) online report: "I was diving on Juno ledge, that's about a mile off shore of Juno Beach." (Palm Beach County, Florida) "At first [I] thought it was a Sea Cucumber, although nobody's ever seen one stretched out seven to ten feet the way this one was. It's sort of gray and putty-like, very smooth, and taffy-like in the way it stretches. Some of my friends and I have sort of dubbed it 'the living intestine'" That's disgusting, Jay. Never having seen such a thing, he turned to contacts at the Smithsonian. "They seemed to have identified it as a Nemertean Worm." But they're not sure. "They can't even identify what family it is in, right now," says Jay. They're simply labeling it 'undescribed'. If Jay can return to Juno Ledge and capture the beast, he gets naming rights. Sadly, he knows that's like finding a single Nematode off the Florida Keys.

posted by Hank Mabuse 17 years ago
  • Very reassuring to know that there are still mysterious beasts on the planet. Cool story. I wish this guy luck finding it again... also, the use of the term "taffy-like" may have put me off chewy candy for awhile.
  • The creature that's really the best in The sae is the Living intestine. You can't tell his head from his butt, And he looks like a big human gut. You'll think I'm a little bit daffy When I say he reminds me of taffy. Some call him "Nemertean Worm," But on that point, nobody's firm. He wiggles his way (all worms do so) In the depths off the beach they call Juno. As the species we know disappear From the waters both murky and clear, Will we see more and more of these strangers, As the ecosystem rearranges?
  • Arrr...the sea is a hungry place...
  • Primordial ooze gone bad, it must be feeding on waste leached into the oceans by humankind. Surely, therein lies the cure for cancer... It sure does move quick!
  • The bottom-feeding behaviour and spineless pliability are suggestive of a journalist in the employ of Rupert Murdoch. Did he check for a press card?
  • It's Brit Hume without his makeup!
  • Isn't it a bit sad that he has to capture the thing in order to be able to name it? Somewhere out there, the intestine's significant other will be heartbroken.
  • They don't have hearts, do they?
  • Let's get it, cut it open and find out!
  • Earthworms have ten hearts. No idea about the seafaring kind.
  • No shit? How bizarre.
  • Yes, so the next time you accidentally step on one, think about all the love you've just destroyed.
  • So, giving your girlfriend an earthworm on February 14 is like giving her ten Valentines at once!
  • At first glance I thought it said "underwear videographer". That would be cool.
  • As a robot animated by evil, Brit Hume, on the other hand, has no heart.
  • Smle! You're on Camisole Camera!
  • Once I saw a documentary about the Boxer Rebellion.
  • I'd offer a history of the Boxer Rebellion, but it's outside my brief. /adjusts hastily
  • They were going to turn the Boxer Rebellion into a musical, with a lot of great thong and dance numbers.
  • Thong and pants numbers?
  • Pete would know about that.
  • You people are crazy.
  • *expresses shock and hurt
  • *desires to return to discussion about undersea worms