Saturday, May 29, 2010

The little skate

I thought that I would share a nice story with you today. For the past few weeks, we have been rearing a clearnose skate pup in my lab. She was brought in from a harbor trawl as an egg case.

She was removed from her egg case prematurely by a staff member who though she had died. After her debut in a preschool classroom to excite students about marine science, she has been growing steadily.

She’s been doing just fine outside of the case with her yolk sac attached - so well in fact that her yolk sac will expire any day now. So after discussion, we think she would be best off in a large aquarium where she will be fed and have adequate shelter.




She was picked up on Friday by staff from the SC Aquarium. Little skate will be fed and maintained there until she may be released.

She has endeared herself to many of us. We have watched her double in size. It is another reminder of how important all the creatures are--even the least ones.

Happy Saturday to you.

21 comments:

  1. cute little skate...cool that he was able to live with a little extra TLC...another lease on life...granted by someone who cares...sounds like a good idea...

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  2. Oh, wow, she is awesome. And a survivor. Good for her. So glad she is being helped along so she can be released.

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  3. The little skate that could...."I think I can, I think I can".

    She is a cutie! I needed an inspiring story today, thanks Syd!

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  4. Awwwwwww - - - so glad you rescued the little critter!

    Hugs,
    Anonymous #1

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  5. How fascinating! Good work :)
    God bless.

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  6. Beautiful! I love watching the skates and rays swim- they do not swim so much as fly through the water with their underwater wings.

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  7. Syd, you say "...how important all the creatures are--even the least ones."

    Even a single blade of grass is important enough to have been touched by the Creator, is my belief

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  8. Little skate living happily ever after -- I do enjoy reading about your passion for marine ecology and threatened creatures.

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  9. how cool,
    Happy Sunday!
    Your post really shines!

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  10. Oh how I loved this story of the little skate. This reminds me of how I felt watching a mama duck setting her eggs on our front door stoop till the ducklings hatched. Wish I could have followed them out into the world to see them grow a little.

    Happy Saturday to you too.

    PG

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  11. wow...this is cool...to watch her grow like that. thanks for sharing this.

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  12. All Creatures Great and Small endeavor to make this world vast and diverse, thank you for taking care of the Skate and finding it a home in our world...

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  13. very cool :) btw I noticed your links to "Lowcountry Bloggers" I live in the lowcountry of south carolina also. glad to have found your blog

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  14. I didn't know what a skate is, so I looked it up. I learned something new and interesting. Thank you.

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  15. I love stories like this...
    I have one for you, too: I just found out today that the duplex I am moving into this week has an old potting shed in the courtyard (shared). I get to bring it back to life! How exciting to watch Little Skate grow in under such averse circumstances. Cheers to all who have given this little creature a chance at life!

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  16. aahh..
    cool

    reminds me of these short accounts..

    http://www.givesmehope.com/

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  17. very nice ending... 'tis good to literally see your good works!

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  18. I never have heard of this creature. Interesting.

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  19. How exciting...I hope the little skate thrives in her new home.

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Let me know what you think. I like reading what you have to say.