Giant squids are the things nightmares and science fiction movies are made of. Squids are not the most adorable things to look at unless you're a zoologist or marine biologist. These ocean-dwelling creatures look like they would eat you if given the chance though, thankfully, this is not a worry most people need to have. Unless you are going deep into the ocean far removed from the United States, your chances of running into a giant squid are quite low. But they aren't zero. It turns out you don't have to go to some far off country to see a giant squid in the wild;, you just have to go to Mississippi. Marine mammal researcher for Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center, Dr. Holley Muraco reveals in an interview with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks that the waters right off of the Mississippi Gulf Coast are home to the only living squid photographed in North America. Medusa image of giant squid in Gulf of Mexico off of Mississippi Gulf CoastPhoto credit: NOAAThe Mississippi Gulf Coast water is home to a lot of different aquatic critters. It's a place known for it's sea food and home to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, a nonprofit organization that rescues and rehabilitates injured marine animals and houses those who can't be re-released into the wild. The organization also serves as a center for education on the different types of marine animals with interactive live animal shows at a fraction of the cost of visiting an aquarium. Mississippians are used to sharing the water with the different fish that live in the bay, bayou, sound, Gulf, and the ocean waters beyond the Gulf. Sign warning against feeding alligators next to alligator in Mississippi marshlandsCourtesy of Jacalyn WetzelA lot of time in Mississippi is spent outside on or near a body of water whether it's fishing off of a pier or kayaking in the bay. Gulf Coast residents have learned to peacefully exist with the animals that come with the territory, including alligators. But the discovery of a living giant squid in the body of water Mississippians enjoy year round is a surprise to locals and their Gulf Coast neighbors in the neighboring states. "Are you serious? If Mississippi residents actually knew this, they would be ecstatic to share it. I was born and raised in MS and that's the first I've ever heard it. I actually witnessed a manatee in Biloxi Bay as a kid and no one believed me," one person exclaims on a short clip of the interview. Mississippi Gulf Coast beach in BiloxiCourtesy of Jacalyn Wetzel"As an Alabama resident, knowing they found giant squid off the coast of Mississippi doesn't make me feel more comfortable with being offshore," someone else shares.Giant squids aren't something people imagine much outside of movies or "scholarly" debates after a few drinks on who would win in a fight, a giant squid or a sperm whale. Turns out the sperm whale versus squid match is due to researchers once finding pieces of a large squid inside the belly of s sperm whale. Mississippians can rest assured that their waters would be the scene of the next rematch if there ever was one because according to Dr. Muraco, they've also spotted the huge sperm whales in the same water. "We have a resident population of sperm whales, right off, maybe 60 miles off of Gulfport. A resident population of sperm whales and so we know that we're having sperm whales with epic battles of giant squid. That's happening in our backyard, ya know. I'm like, it's crazy." Muraco excitedly tells the host before adding, "And I just want anybody who will listen to know, we can take ownership of this. Mississippi has the best access to that Mississippi Delta, Desoto Canyon, that magic place right there where all these marine mammals are trying trying to survive."Dr. Muraco also exclaims that Mississippi is also the home of Rice's whales, the most endangered species of whales in the world. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there are fewer than 100 Rice's whales in the entire world. The Gulf really does have diverse marine life. 2009 photo of giant squid caught in Gulf of Mexico near Mississippi GulfPhoto credit: NOAAPeople in Mississippi are no strangers to the giant squid—they're just not accustomed to them being alive. The first giant squid seen in the Mississippi coastal waters was found floating in 1954, and the second was pulled from the water in 2009 as researchers were looking for prey of sperm whales in the area. The squid caught in 2009 was 19.5 feet long and weight 103 pounds.“This is an incredibly rare find in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Michael Vecchione, director for NOAA’s Fisheries Service’s National Systemics Laboratory. A giant squid expert told the Smithsonian Insider the same, highlighting the gravity of the occurrence “Giant squid have been found more commonly in areas of the world where there are deep-water fisheries, such as Spain and New Zealand, but this is the first time one has actually been captured during scientific research in the Gulf of Mexico.”A more recent expedition in 2019 with a specialized underwater camera named "The Medusa" caught a glimpse of a living juvenile giant squid estimated to be between 10 and 12 feet long. A video shows the squid coming to eat the e-jelly lure placed on the camera before swimming away after realizing it wasn't actually food. Being that the squid is a juvenile, it's likely that there are more squids in the depths of the Gulf. It's just a matter of time before researchers capture evidence of older squids.

You've probably danced to it... The post What is the only instrumental song to top the charts in the 21st century? first appeared on Far Out Magazine.

When summer arrives, watermelon returns to picnics and gatherings. However, slicing it can be a real hassle. This foolproof method is safe and effective.

Kreator 7/2 “Kreator – Hate & Hope” Premieres The official documentary about German Thrash Metal veterans premieres at the 42nd Munich International Film Festival. The 110-minute film, directed by Cordula Kablitz-Post, will receive a theatrical premiere on September 4th. Evanescence 7/5 Evanescence Garners First Mainstream Rock #1 The track is featured in the Netflix series “Devil May Cry.” This rise to the top ends a 22-year wait for a #1 hit, the longest in the Billboard chart’s history, Evanescence first reached the survey when “Bring Me To Life” (with Paul McCoy) peaked at #11 in ’03. Black Sabbath 7/5 Ozzy Osbourne Takes The Stage For The Last Time He is joined by the original Black Sabbath lineup (Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward) for the first and last time in two decades.  Additional performs include Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Anthrax, Alice In Chains and Halestorm. Born Of Osiris 7/11 Born Of Osiris Issue Seventh Album: “Through Shadows” “‘Through Shadows’ is a reflection of the human experience — both the quiet struggles and the heavy storms we each endure,” stated the Progressive Metal band, “When all feels lost, we’re left with a choice: face demise or defend our existence. This song is our call to choose the light, even in our darkest moments.” It’s the band’s first full-length album since ’21’s “Angel Or Alien.” Bush 7/18 Bush’s “I Beat Loneliness” Drops The band’s tenth studio album features singles “60 Ways To Forget People” and “The Land Of Milk And Honey,” The latter, according to frontman Gavin Rossdale, “is a wild ride into the heart of the new record. It’s built to be played loud — to liberate and uplift. That’s the spirit behind it.” A press release adds, “The track examines “the illusion of freedom in a world ruled by power, obsession, and disconnection.” One More Satellite 7/18 One More Satellite Releases Debut Album Featuring guitarist Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots) and U.K.-based vocalist/ lyricist Pete Shoulder, tghe band’;s self-title debut contains “Paper Over The Cracks” and “Can Of Worms.” “What started out as an instrumental album, quickly changed soon after Pete and I chatted,” recalled DeLeo. “He was going to sing on a song or two, then wound up singing on eight of the ten on the record.” “I was excited to hear the new music Dean wanted to collaborate on,” noted Shoulder.  Five Finger Death Punch 7/18 “20 Years Of Five Finger Death Punch – Best Of Volume 1” Arrives The collection of re-recorded versions of their best-known songs came in response to the recent sale of the band’s original master recordings by their former label made without their knowledge or the opportunity to reclaim their own work. “So when this happened to Taylor Swift, she responded by re-recording her catalog and her fans switched to streaming the new versions out of protest and loyalty,” notes FFDP guitarist Zoltan Bathory. “We have one of the most hardcore and loyal fan bases on the planet so I know our fans will do the same.” Scars On Broadway 7/18 Scars On Broadway Deliver “Addicted To Violence” Fronted by System Of A Down guitarist/singer Daron Malakian, Scars On Broadway have unfurled their first studio album in seven years. Malakian composed, produced, and performed all the album’s songs, with contributions from Scars on Broadway bandmates Orbel Babayan (guitar) and Roman Lomtadze (drums). “I’m just as proud of Scars as I am of SOAD,” states Malakian in a press release. “This is another musical outlet for me.” The Revenge Of Alice Cooper 7/25 The Original Alice Cooper Band Returns The surviving members of the original Alice Cooper band — singer Alice Cooper, guitarist Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith — present “The Revenge Of Alice Cooper.” The band’s first album in over 50 years includes a special appearance by late guitarist Glen Buxton. What Happened To You” is based on riff from a demo Dunaway and Buxton made together way back when. The set also has “Black Mamba” with guitarist Robby Krieger of The Doors. GWAR 7/25 GWAR’s New Album “The Return Of Gor Gor” “The last time I saw Gor Gor, he was just a wee fart dragon,” GWAR’s Blöthar The Berserker recalls.: “He had crawled on the hood of my Kia Soul and was holding on for dear life while I drove to the store to buy Clamato. I bathed him in wiper fluid and used my wipers to knock him off my sweet ride. Next thing I know, he’s all grown up and looking for revenge. This record chronicles his struggles trying to make his way in a cruel world.” The post The Month In Rock: July appeared first on RockinTown.

by Christian K. Caruzo, Breitbart: President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele said on Sunday that his country is willing to send deported illegal migrants detained at the CECOT mega-prison to France after Mexican-American fashion designer Willy Chavarria held a performance “inspired” by the detainees at the Paris Fashion Week show. Chavarria, a California-based designer reportedly described as […]

from Sputnik News: The Radon-O integrated counter-drone complex includes several modules designed to detect, track, capture and neutralize enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). ▪️ “Bug” radar module Designed to determine the coordinates of low-flying targets, including small UAVs. ▪️ “Terney-M” module Conducts real-time radio monitoring of the controlled area under any weather conditions and at […]

from Liberty Sentinel: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Cristina Laila, The Gateway Pundit: President Trump responded to Elon Musk’s criticism of the Big Beautiful Bill in a midnight social media post. Elon Musk has been attacking Trump’s reconciliation bill over the debt limit increase. He also whined about the electric vehicle mandate cuts. Trump campaigned on eliminating Biden’s EV mandates. For the […]

It’s a bold new variety! READ MORE...