After a thorough 30 sec. google of Manta rays, I am convinced Steve Irwin

[zonkers]

was badgering the heck out of that manta ray. It seems they rarely attack and then, only in defense. I suspect the video of the incident will bear this out. I am not happy Steve is gone(so back off) nor am I condoning the aggressive behavior of the manta ray. I am terribly sorry the whole thing happened and wish we can all get along.

[ForrestGump]

1. A 40-second search

would have revealed that mantas are not stingrays.

After a 30-something-year history of snorkeling and diving with rays of all sorts, I am convinced that they are not 'aggressive' animals but that incidents do happen...it does not logically follow that, therefore, Steve Irwin was badgering the heck out of anything.

[BikeWriter]

2. Well said, Forrest.

Steve Irwin has increased the interest of the public toward animal conservation in innumerable ways. He interacted with the animals to show their reactions to millions of people in his audience, but "Badgering?" I don't think so.

[zonkers]

4. I fixed the manta typo, thanks.

[Bunny]

6. Perhaps you want to re-read Forrest Gump's post.

Steve Irwin wasn't killed by a manta ray.

[zonkers]

7. Manta ray, sting ray, whatever -- you late night fish experts. All I know

is I stand by my hunch that whatever Steve was doing to that fish was not normal or advisable. Time will prove me right or wrong.

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

8. No one really knows what happened in that sea.

But really does it matter? This is going to be debated for days I know oh yeah there is a war going on.

[Cannikin]

11. They got it on film. They know what happened

[Bunny]

10. Well, you've got all the bases covered then.

Stingray, manta ray, whatever. Right, wrong, whatever. :eyes:

BTW, I'm an early morning fish expert.

[Lowell]

13. Wolf, welsh Terrier, whatever -

A lot of people know the difference.

[Phillycat]

18. *choke*

:spray:

[LostinVA]

17. Pigs, chickens, what the hell difference does it make?

They're mammals, right? Big deal.

It makes a huge difference -- and th authorities say Steve didn't badger him.

Those of us familiar with rays figured out what happened before the video was viewed by authorities. See, that's what knowledge and facts do for you.

[zonkers]

28. I knew I'd be the whipping boy with that post. Oh well. I can take it.

[ComerPerro]

20. That's some statement. George W Bush would be proud

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

27. Late night fish experts?

Hmm. Here I was thinking that knowing the difference between manta rays and sting rays was about a fourth grade level of fish expertise.

[gatorboy]

3. After a thorough 30 sec. google of the undead, I am convinced

That a Zombie Apocalypse is just on the horizon.


Can you do anything thorough for 30 seconds? I pee longer than that.

[KurtNYC]

19. I did a 20 second search and am perplexed at how

a fiberglass bodied car made by GM got under water -- surely this would stall the engine -- so how does it sting him then?!

[ComerPerro]

21. I did a 5 sec search on Google

and am alarmed at how long it takes you to pee.

If 30 seconds is an average time, perhaps you should seek medical attention.

[gatorboy]

22. Hey, I drink plenty of fluids.

And as long as I'm in there, I'm going to make it worthwhile!

[ComerPerro]

23. between all the time you spend drinking fluids and in the bathroom

I am suprised you have time to post here at all, let alone do such an involved Google search...

[gatorboy]

24. See, you've got it all wrong.

It's a 30 second pee because I'm getting it out of the way all at once. :)

[ComerPerro]

25. every morning

I wake up, drink 3 gallons of water, pee for five minutes, and I am good for the day...

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

33. ...

:spray:

:rofl:

[Susang]

35. Have you been to a shopping mall lately?

The Zombie apocalypse is here. It's been here for quite awhile. :scared:

[gatorboy]

39. So true.

"BRRAAIIINNNN- Oh, a GAP!"

"GAAAAAP!"

[Random_Australian]

5. Stingray vs. Manta ray. (no text)

[NMMNG]

9. 30 whole seconds?

Gawd damn, you're ready for your own show! :sarcasm:

[mrbill]

12. the op probably stayed in a holiday inn last night

n/t

[CBGLuthier]

15. very good. very, very good.

:-)

[CBGLuthier]

14. A little info for you

According to some who were there. Irwin was behind and above the stingray. His cameraman was ahead of them both. They think the ray was frightened, went into defence mode and its tail with the barb came up. This was a rather large specimen and it caught Irwin in the chest.

Just a pure fluke accident that could happen to anyone swimming near rays.

[LostinVA]

16. Well, guess you're wrong

Since it was found he wasn't.

And, it wasn't a manta ray.

It's also obvious you've never lived or snorkeled anyplace where rays are -- what happened to Steve wasn't unusual -- except for the freak death. Settled rays are easi;y startled.

Facts, facts, facts.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

26. A ha!

A 30 second search should have revealed that manta rays are completely harmless, and that Irwin was killed by a sting ray.

A little more education would have revealed that fatalities from sting rays are ridiculously rare and usually involve lone swimmers who are too hurt to make it back to shore.

Irwin's death was an exceptionally freak accident. Imagine enjoying a game of darts when one of the darts rebounds off the wall and pierces your heart.

[librarycard]

29. When impaled w/a sharp object in the chest,

is it best to pull it out? I remember a story about a boy who was jumping on the bed, impaling himself with a pencil. He didn't pull it out, and doctors said that had he done that, he would have died.

The boy lived and was doing well last time I heard.

Does the theory of leaving the object in until one gets to a doctor apply to stingray stingers as well?

[zonkers]

30. I think this sharp object had some nasty venom that came with it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

32. I think when that sharp object pierces the heart...

it doesn't matter if it has any venom in it.

I should know, I just spent thirty seconds studying cardiology.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

41. lol

im a neurologist now cause I googled "brain".

don't know why i didnt do that sooner.

big money, here i come

[jmowreader]

42. This sharp object is also a foot and a half long

and has serrated edges.

And it stuck him right in the heart.

Steve Irwin probably didn't feel a thing.

[skygazer]

38. Well, the stingray may have had other ideas

I suppose it's rather difficult to keep a sharp object in your chest when the other end of it is a live, pissed, frightened aquatic creature.

But I don't know - I didn't google anything for any length of time. :shrug:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

43. the stinger snaps off. but yeah.

[LSK]

31. a sting ray is not a manta ray

:shrug:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

34. Can we please stop drudging this up every third minute?

Jesus GOD. Let the poor man rest in peace.
Duckie

[SoCalDem]

36. apparently not

:shrug:

[Juffo Wup]

40. People have to show how "cool" they are

by being iconoclasts without a clue.

[Haole Girl]

37. After a thorough 30 sec reading of your initial post,

I'm convinced you have no idea what you are talking about.

:rofl:

[sendero]

44. The thing about animals is..

... they are not a can of spam. The have free wills, their own personalities and they are subject to doing the unexpected at any time.