Submerge into the thought-provoking world of Jason Decaires Taylor's 'No Turning Back' - an underwater sculpture inviting both human exploration and coral reef growth in Punta Nizuc, Mexico. Can art play a role in environmental conservation?
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The Party, part 1.
[Transcript below:]
Julie: Well, that was the last
box! Thanks for helping me
unpack, girls. You too, babe.
Agnes: Hey, that’s what
besties are for!
Julie: This calls for a celebration.
Housewarming party, anyone?
Agnes: Ooh, good idea!
Maya: Plus, Ramona’s leaving
Newcrest tomorrow, so it can
double as a going away party.
Julie: Then it’s settled!
Text everyone you know:
Party at our new place, 7 PM.
Tao: On it.
Agnes: Maya and I can
go buy some decorations!
Tao: I’ll get snacks
and pizza, then.
Julie: And Eric and I will
clean the apartment.
Maya: Sounds like a plan!
Eric: Hey Rexy-Rex.
...
You’re so cute, you
know that?
Julie: Hey, you’re
done unpacking, right?
Eric: Yeah, why?
Julie: Good, ‘cause
we need to get these
boxes out of the
apartment before the
party tonight.
Eric: Party?
Julie: Yep, and
you’re helping me
prepare for it.
Julie: I want you
to tidy your room,
then come help
me clean the rest
of our place, ’kay?
Eric: Sure, Jules.
Julie: Oh! And invite
anyone you know that
I might have missed.
See you in a
couple minutes!
Eric: (thinking) Anyone
I know that she
might have
missed? Hm...
Coral: Hey, Eric from
the gaming cafe just
invited us to his place
for a party. Wanna come?
Adhira: I don’t
see why not.
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Coral Snake
Name: Eastern Coral Snake
Species: Micrurus Fulvius
Class: Reptilia
Size: 2-3 feet long
Habitat: In the United States, from southeastern North Carolina to eastern Louisiana
Fatalities: One death in the past 40 years; 47 human bites reported to Florida Poison Control Centers each year
Conservation: Least Concern
The Eastern Coral Snake lurks in dry, typically sandy areas, ranging all throughout the southeastern chunk of the United States. As a part of the Elapidae family, which contains the well-known cobras and mambas of the Southern Hemisphere, getting bit by a coral snake on your hike might cost you more than 3k for an ER visit. Coral snakes are known to be active during all parts of the day, particularly dawn and dusk. Throughout the year, these little guys tend to be especially active during the fall and spring.
Unlike other snakes, coral snakes are a little shy and awkward. Many Floridan hikers who have had the pleasure (or displeasure, depending on whether they got bit or not) of coming face to face with a coral snake have reported that they are not aggressive towards humans without any provocation. Moral of the story: don’t touch them, they won’t touch you. And now you’re saving 3k and your forearm.
Coral snakes, as told by their name, are very vibrant, exhibiting red, black, and yellow rings on the entire length of their body. Their smooth skin makes them look polished. Looks like someone remembered to wear their moisturizer. Typically, the females are longer than men, who are only 2 feet long, while most females are 3 feet. Short kings, am I right? Now speaking of kings…
If you happen to cross paths with a coral snake (or something that looks like a coral snake?), before deciding to piss your pants, take a look at the color arrangement on the body of the snake. Taking it up north, the king snake, which does look a lot like the coral snake, resides in the barren wasteland from Illinois to Texas, and south to Alabama. They are unlike the coral snake in almost every way except looks. The king snake is not venomous and likes wet areas. If you get bit by a king snake, it’ll probably just hurt, not kill you. Well, how do I figure out if the yellow, red, and black ringed snake near me is venomous or not?? Just remember this simple mnemonic, “Red touch black, safe for Jack; red touch yellow, kill a fellow”.
However, if you end up being the unluckiest person alive and end up getting bitten by a coral snake, get immediate help immediately. That was redundant, but it gets my point across. Spend the 3k on an ambulance ride to the ER; it costs less than the heavy price tag your life wears. Being a part of the same family as the black mamba and king cobra, the coral snakes’ fangs wield an extremely potent neurotoxic venom. This venom attacks the nervous system, characterized by muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, paralysis, and potential respiratory arrest. To avoid these effects and potential death, get anti-venom for the toxin immediately. Being quick to get the anti-venom isn’t quick enough. Delayed use of anti-venom for victims who show these symptoms has shown to progress to paralysis within half a day. The one victim of the venom failed to get medical treatment for the coral snake bite.
Just like Taylor Swift said, Florida is one hell of a drug, and if you get bit by a coral snake there, let’s hope that drug is rapidly administered anti-venom.
Image from The University of Florida, Florida Museum
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