Brave squirrel fights off rattlesnake in dramatic caught-on-camera battle
The showdown happened at the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge where it was filmed by Sally Brown of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
In the footage, the California ground squirrel can be seen using anti-snake tactics such as tossing debris at the southern Pacific rattlesnake to ward it off.
According to Brown, while the rattler lunged at the squirrel it did not pursue because it was likely too full from a recent meal.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BreakingNews.ie
6 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Titan submersible operator used ‘intimidation tactics' to evade scrutiny, report finds
The tour operator responsible for the Titan submersible, which fatally imploded near the wreckage of the Titanic, 'leveraged intimidation tactics … to evade regulatory scrutiny', a US Coast Guard investigation report has concluded. The incident resulted in the deaths of five people in June 2023 – including British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood. Advertisement The chief executive of tour operator OceanGate Expeditions, Stockton Rush, and French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet, were also killed in the incident. On Tuesday, the US Coast Guard published a 335-page report in which identified eight 'primary causal factors' that led to the fatal implosion. British adventurer Hamish Harding was one of five people on board the vessel when it imploded (Dirty Dozen Productions/PA) The report said OceanGate had a 'toxic workplace environment' and used the 'looming threat of being fired' to prevent staff from coming forward with safety concerns. It added that analysis revealed a 'disturbing pattern of misrepresentation and reckless disregard for safety'. Advertisement The report criticised OceanGate's design and testing processes and the continued use of the Titan submersible despite 'a series of incidents that compromised the integrity of the hull and other critical components'. The tour operator's former director of engineering was reported by the US Coast Guard to have said the first hull used on the Titan submersible was akin to a 'high school project'. According to the report, a contractor hired by OceanGate in 2022 voiced 'numerous safety concerns' to a company director, before being told: 'You have a bad attitude, you don't have an explorer mindset, you know, we're innovative and we're cowboys, and a lot of people can't handle that.' World US coastguard releases video of moment submersible... Read More Authored by lead investigator Thomas Whalen and marine board chairman Jason Neubauer, it read: 'For several years preceding the incident, OceanGate leveraged intimidation tactics, allowances for scientific operations, and the company's favourable reputation to evade regulatory scrutiny. Advertisement 'By strategically creating and exploiting regulatory confusion and oversight challenges, OceanGate was ultimately able to operate Titan completely outside of the established deep-sea protocols, which had historically contributed to a strong safety record for commercial submersibles. 'The lack of both third-party oversight and experienced OceanGate employees on staff during their 2023 Titan operations allowed OceanGate's chief executive officer to completely ignore vital inspections, data analyses, and preventative maintenance procedures, culminating in a catastrophic event.'
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
How to humanely deal with pests without using cruel traps or harmful chemicals
I've seen a rash of social media posts recommending the application of sticky-tape bands around tree trunks to prevent spotted lanternflies and other garden pests from accessing tree canopies and munching on foliage. But those bands also catch caterpillars, butterflies, bees and birds, which would be difficult to free without ripping off their limbs or breaking their wings. Similarly, glue traps are cruel devices, holding hostage everything from basement cave crickets to terrified mice and rats until they starve to death. Recently, after noticing a rustling sound coming from my attic, I discovered a family of squirrels had settled in, presumably after the pregnant mother gained access through an unscreened vent. At that point, securing the vent would have been easy, but would have trapped the critters indoors. After monitoring the scampering above me for a few days, I surmised that after their early-morning dance parties, the squirrels would leave the house each day, then return after sunset. So, when the disco closed one morning, I sealed up the vent opening, locking them out. Problem solved. It required more patience than setting out traps or poison, or calling someone to 'take care of it,' but it was worth the wait (and it didn't cost a dime). Coexisting with wildlife So-called 'nuisance' animals, like squirrels, bats and raccoons, are just living their lives, as we are, and they need food, water and shelter, like we do. It's not their fault that we chopped down their forested homes, paved over meadows and built neighborhoods in their habitat. They have nowhere else to go, so the least we could do is treat them humanely and share our (outdoor) space with them as much as possible. When they enter indoor living spaces, however, that means evicting them, as I did. But prevention would have been better. Look for openings in attics, basements, and around windows, doors and soffits, keeping in mind that a mouse can squeeze through a hole as small as the diameter of a pencil. Check, too, for gaps under eaves, missing chimney caps and broken vents. Ensure there aren't any animals indoors before sealing them. If you have unwanted residents, wait for them to leave or lure them out so they don't die in your walls. If you're concerned about biting insects, there are better ways to control them than using pesticides, which can expose people, animals and groundwater to harmful chemicals and kill a variety of other insects that serve as an important food source for birds. The products also require repeated applications to maintain that control. Instead, eliminate mosquitoes from your backyard by preventing them from breeding in the first place. Don't allow water to collect anywhere on your property. Get into the habit of emptying plant-pot saucers, overturned trash can lids, tires, children's playsets and other receptacles after each rainfall (or irrigation session). Add Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis), a naturally occurring bacterium sold as Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito Bits, to sources of standing water, such as birdbaths or still ponds, where the insects lay their eggs. The biological control prevents mosquito, gnat and black fly larvae from developing, but is considered harmless to humans, pets, wildlife, beneficial insects, fish and plants. To discourage wild animals, avoid feeding pets outdoors, tightly secure trash can lids, and physically make your property as inhospitable as possible by sealing entry points, closing garage doors, installing fencing, etc. If there are babies, please don't separate them from their mother. Wait a few weeks until they are old enough to leave on their own, as my attic's squirrels were. Or, call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for help. Avoid relocating animals. Many won't survive; others will return, often from greater distances than you might imagine. It also may be illegal in your state. Reaching for a spray can might seem like an easy and effective route to a pest-free summer, but it shouldn't be considered unless you're facing a legitimate infestation. And in that case, start with the safest, least toxic method and escalate only if necessary. Indoor problems Kitchen ants, for example, can be effectively controlled with bait stations. Some cockroaches can be controlled with baits, as well, but if yours can't, you have my blessing to hire a certified pesticide applicator (roaches multiply quickly, so common sense must prevail). Remember to do your part by removing clutter, keeping things clean and sealing up entry gaps to prevent a recurrence. Similarly, it wouldn't be likely for you to have just one mouse in your house, as they are also prolific breeders. To eliminate indoor rodents, opt for a strong snap trap that will kill instantly without causing the animal to suffer. ___ Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the AP and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter. You can sign up here for weekly gardening tips and advice. ___ For more AP gardening stories, go to
The Independent
8 hours ago
- The Independent
Krill fishery in Antarctica shut down after record catch triggers unprecedented early closure
Officials have shut down early the remote krill fishery near Antarctica after trawling for the tiny crustacean — a vital food source for whales that also helps fight climate change — exceeded the seasonal catch limit for the first time. The unprecedented early closure of the fishery follows a report by The Associated Press last week detailing a record surge in the krill catch after a longstanding conservation framework was allowed to lapse with no plan in place to handle growing pressures in the world's southernmost fishery. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, or CCAMLR, the international organization that manages the fishery, declined to comment but confirmed the closure earlier this month of the 2024-25 season, which should have extended until December, after fishing hit the 620,000 metric ton limit. The U.S., Russia, China and two dozen other governments last year failed to approve a new management plan that would have mandated spreading out the area in which krill can be caught and create a California-sized reserve along the environmentally sensitive Antarctic Peninsula. In the absence of a deal, industrial trawlers were allowed this season to essentially fish anywhere at any time, including in smaller habitats preferred by whales, penguins and seals. In one hot spot, the catch through June 30 was nearly 60% higher than all of last season's haul, according to an internal CCAMLR report obtained by the AP. Krill is one of the most abundant marine species in the world, with an estimated biomass of 63 million metric tons. But advances in fishing, climate change and growing demand for krill's Omega-3 rich oil – for fishmeal, pet food and human dietary supplements — have increased pressure on the krill stocks. In the 2023-24 season, a fleet of 12 trawlers from mostly Norway and China caught 498,350 tons of krill — until now the largest harvest since CCAMLR began collecting catch data in 1973. Underscoring the competition between humans and whales, three humpback whales were found dead or seriously injured last year in the long, cylindrical nets deployed by the vessels to vacuum up the paper-clip sized crustacean. Krill aren't just vital to marine ecosystems. Increasingly, researchers are focusing on their role as a bulwark against climate change. One peer-reviewed study found that krill remove from the atmosphere and store in the ocean 20 million tons of carbon annually. That's the equivalent of taking off the road 5 million cars every year. — This story was supported by funding from the Walton Family Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. __ Contact AP's global investigative team at Investigative@ or
