Skip to content
BOL Conferences
Learn More - Click Here!

Thread Options
#352562 - 04/28/05 10:37 AM Here's Something Different
E.E.G.B Offline
Power Poster
E.E.G.B
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,726
the sandy shore
More than 1,000 toads have puffed up and exploded in a Hamburg pond in recent weeks, and scientists still have no explanation for what's causing the combustion, an official said Wednesday.

Both the pond's water and body parts of the toads have been tested, but scientists have been unable to find a bacteria or virus that would cause the toads to swell up and pop, said Janne Kloepper, of the Hamburg-based Institute for Hygiene and the Environment.

"It's absolutely strange," she said. "We have a really unique story here in Hamburg. This phenomenon really doesn't seem to have appeared anywhere before."

The toads at a pond in the upscale neighborhood of Altona have been blowing up since the beginning of the month, filling up like balloons until their stomachs suddenly burst.

"It looks like a scene from a science-fiction movie," Werner Schmolnik, the head of a local environment group, told the Hamburger Abendblatt daily. "The bloated animals suffer for several minutes before they finally die."

Biologists have come up with several theories, but Kloepper said that most have been ruled out.

The pond's water quality is no better or worse than other bodies of water in Hamburg, the toads did not appear to have a disease, and a laboratory in Berlin has ruled out the possibility that it is a fungus that made its way from South America, she said.

She said that tests will continue. In the meantime, city residents have been warned to stay away from the pond.
_________________________
I disbelieved what he was saying so hard, I probably created an alternate universe where it wasn't true.

Return to Top
Chat! - BOL Watercooler
#352563 - 04/28/05 12:53 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Retired DQ Offline
10K Club
Retired DQ
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,766
Turnpike Exit 10
What????? Is this a joke, EGB?
_________________________
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain

Return to Top
#352564 - 04/28/05 12:55 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Anonymous
Unregistered

Usually, when an ecosystem is contaminated, the frogs (and other amphibians) are the first to die. I forget why, something about the sensitivity of their skin. But exploding is a very BAD sign...

Return to Top
#352565 - 04/28/05 01:26 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Beagles22 Offline
Power Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,626
State of confusion
Quote:

Usually, when an ecosystem is contaminated, the frogs (and other amphibians) are the first to die. I forget why, something about the sensitivity of their skin. But exploding is a very BAD sign...




I would have to agree that it is a bad sign. If I exploded I would be very angry....
_________________________
Going to church doesn't make you a christian any more that standing in your garage makes you a car.

Return to Top
#352566 - 04/28/05 01:52 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Anonymous
Unregistered

I read that on CNN's web site this morning. Must be some baaaaaaad water to not just kill the frogs, but make them explode!

Return to Top
#352567 - 04/28/05 02:21 PM Re: Here's Something Different
bluebanker Offline
Diamond Poster
bluebanker
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,227
Bear Country
I think seeing a frog explode would probably be the coolest thing ever. I could consider my life complete after that...
_________________________
If you're not first, you're last.

Return to Top
#352568 - 04/28/05 02:26 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Retired DQ Offline
10K Club
Retired DQ
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40,766
Turnpike Exit 10
Quote:

I think seeing a frog explode would probably be the coolest thing ever. I could consider my life complete after that...




What a sick little boy you are...
_________________________
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please. - Mark Twain

Return to Top
#352569 - 04/28/05 02:29 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Peepers Offline
10K Club
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,994
Note to self: do not drink bottled water shipped from Hamburg.
_________________________
blah

Return to Top
#352570 - 04/28/05 02:34 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Anonymous
Unregistered

That's some scary stuff. Hopefully it turns out to just be a genetic defect in this generation of frogs.

Return to Top
#352571 - 04/28/05 02:35 PM Re: Here's Something Different
An0n Offline
Gold Star
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 306
The guards won't tell me.
Wow, I've sooo been there. Have you ever sneezed, burped and farted all at the same time? I bet that's what the frogs are doing!
_________________________
I don't own a computer...

Return to Top
#352572 - 04/28/05 05:30 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Erl of Baltimore Offline
Platinum Poster
Erl of Baltimore
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 553
Memorial Stadium
This will end up as a new menu item at KFC...Popcorn Frog.
Scientists definitely need to investigate this issue of ETS (Exploding Toad Syndrome). It could spread to other species (EDS, EHS, or ESPS) (Exploding Dog Syndrome, Exploding Human Syndrome, or Exploding Stupid People Syndrome). It could become a world-wide epidemic. Maybe the German people should stop throwing out the leftover sauerkraut so close to the pond.
_________________________
Dear World: WE ARE BROKE!
signed: The American Public
So no more money for you...now most of you can hate us for free!

Return to Top
#352573 - 04/28/05 05:32 PM Re: Here's Something Different
slick Offline
Power Poster
slick
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,030
somewhere out there
Quote:

Wow, I've sooo been there. Have you ever sneezed, burped and farted all at the same time? I bet that's what the frogs are doing!




Unbelievable, I can't believe you just said that!
Last edited by SUZY Q; 04/28/05 05:32 PM.
_________________________
it ain't over til it's over...

Return to Top
#352574 - 04/28/05 05:47 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Rie A Offline
Platinum Poster
Rie A
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 829
Maryland
Ever read Stephen King's book "Dreamcatcher?"

Aliens have landed and they invaded the frogs?
_________________________
God made the world in only 7 days... but he didn't have any paperwork.

Return to Top
#352575 - 04/28/05 05:57 PM Re: Here's Something Different
An0n Offline
Gold Star
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 306
The guards won't tell me.
Quote:

Quote:

Wow, I've sooo been there. Have you ever sneezed, burped and farted all at the same time? I bet that's what the frogs are doing!




Unbelievable, I can't believe you just said that!



Return to Top
#352576 - 04/28/05 06:39 PM Re: Here's Something Different
Snowqueen Offline
Diamond Poster
Snowqueen
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,289
dreaming of a warm beach......
Maybe they should put some alka-seltzer in the water to relieve the indigestion!

Return to Top
#352577 - 04/28/05 07:16 PM Re: Here's Something Different
An0n Offline
Gold Star
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 306
The guards won't tell me.
I wouldn't try that... Ever feed a seagull an alka-seltzer? It's horrible!

Return to Top
#352578 - 04/28/05 07:45 PM Re: Here's Something Different
slick Offline
Power Poster
slick
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,030
somewhere out there
I know this is kind of sad (and strange), but I would kind of find this humorous to watch.

I know call me strange........
_________________________
it ain't over til it's over...

Return to Top
#352579 - 04/28/05 07:46 PM Re: Here's Something Different
An0n Offline
Gold Star
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 306
The guards won't tell me.
Oh, it was totally funny! But I felt bad afterwards...
_________________________
I don't own a computer...

Return to Top
#352580 - 04/28/05 09:01 PM Re: Here's Something Different
GuitarDude Offline
Power Poster
GuitarDude
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,925
So Cal
Maybe some kids are feeding them Pop Rocks and soda.
_________________________
I've just writed a wrong.

Return to Top
#352581 - 04/29/05 05:50 AM Re: Here's Something Different
8675309 Offline
Diamond Poster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,115
Where the wind comes sweeping ...
Quote:

I wouldn't try that... Ever feed a seagull an alka-seltzer? It's horrible!




Uh...how would one even think to feed alka-seltzer to a seagull?

"Hey honey, it's beautiful day, let's go give some antacids to the birds!"



And I thought the town I live in is boring!!!

Return to Top
#352582 - 04/29/05 11:26 AM Re: Here's Something Different
Elwood P. Dowd Offline
10K Club
Elwood P. Dowd
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 21,939
Next to Harvey
One of my fraternity brothers ate an alka seltzer and then drank a glass of water. He was in the ER 15 minutes later. It was the 70's, he couldn't find any drugs, what did you expect?
_________________________
In this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.

Return to Top