Tag Archives: turtle

LED-lit fishing nets save sea turtles from getting caught

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Sometimes, it's the simplest tech that makes the biggest difference. University of Exeter researchers have crafted fishing nets with evenly distributed green LED lights (one every 33 feet) that warn sea turtles away without spooking fish. While scien...

Shelluminate!

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Turtles are usually known for being calm, reserved, and inconspicuous. Not this one though…Taking inspiration from the loggerhead sea turtle (found in the Mediterranean) the Turtle Solar Lighting device is a beautiful example of nature-inspired aesthetics in design. Designed as an abstraction of the turtle’s shell, these lamps are placed on the floor at regular intervals and provide a beautiful glow of atmospheric lighting. Designed for the outdoors, these little turtles have a flexible solar panel surface on the top that captures energy during the day and brilliantly illuminates the earth during the night!

Designer: Konstantinos Kallipolitis

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Glowing Sea Turtle Discovered During Night Dive

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You won’t see me swimming in the lake or the ocean. I’m not fond of putting my face where animals poop and might bite me. You certainly wouldn’t get me to go on a night dive near the Solomon Islands where you have to use bright lights to ward off crocodiles that might want to snack on your soft innards.

Researchers were doing just that when the ultraviolet light they were carrying spotted something very interesting.

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The team captured what it believes are first ever images of a glowing sea turtle. This endangered hawkbill turtle doesn’t have bio-luminescence, which is the ability of an animal to produce its own light. Rather the turtle is bio-fluorescent. That means it reflects UV light as a different color, such as red, green, and orange as you see in the video below.

Further research showed that other hawkbill turtles in the area have the same glowing properties. The scientists plan further investigation to see if hawkbills in other locations have the same biofluorescent properties.

[via National Geographic]

This Turtle Robot Creates Works of Art on the Beach

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This is Beachbot, the world’s first autonomous sand art robot. It was developed by ETH Zurich and the Zurich division of Disney Research. Basically, it’s a Disney Mutant Robot Turtle – further proof that Disney wants to take over the world with cuteness.

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The autonomous robot draws huge patterns using a rake it can raise and lower into the sand. Beachbot uses a laser scanner, Wi-Fi, an inertial measurement unit, and four reflective poles to create art on a large scale. The machine knows where it should draw, because the researchers place four poles around a 10 meter x 10 meter area. Beachbot then uses the laser scanner on its onboard computer to detect those poles and recognize the area as its canvas.

So what is the point? Well, Disney Research Zurich head Paul Beardsley says, “The dream is to create huge amazing drawings like the Nazca Lines.”

That doesn’t really explain much. I translate that as “We are Disney. Because we can. Now shut up and wait for the new Star Wars.”

[via Engadget]

3D Printed Mario Kart Shell R/C Cars: Death Stare Not Included

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Back in 2011, we featured Michael Curry’s Mario Kart-inspired remote-controlled cars. He has since uploaded the improved 3D files along with the instructions and the parts list for the cars on Thingiverse. Maker Kart, here we come!

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Aside from the 3D printed parts, you’ll need to buy other parts such as a DC motor, a micro servo and skateboard bearings. You’ll also need the tires and front suspension of the New Bright Ram 1500 Model 2424 RC Car. I found it online for $35 (USD) but Michael says you can get it for $13-$15 at Wal-Mart or Target.

Keep a few Stars and Bullet Bills around and head to Michael’s Thingiverse page to download the files, instructions and parts list.

[via This Is Why I’m Broke]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Cutter

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michelangelo pizza cutter Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Cutter
Everyone knows that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles go cowabunga for pizza. Maybe it’s because they’re teenagers, maybe it’s from the radioactive ooze that caused those ordinary turtles to turn into humanoid ninjas. No matter, this hero in a halfshell will slice your ‘za. The TMNT Michelangelo Pizza Cutter. features ol’ Mikey’s head atop a blade that’s shown in green (but maybe it will stainless steel color in reality?) You can pre-order now, but you’ll have to wait til October before this one is released. (h/t that’s nerdalicious)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizza Cutter
Check out our Craziest Gadgets Shop for unique gifts!

Koopa Troopa Burgers: Eatin’ Meat in the Mushroom Kingdom

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Can’t decide what to cook for dinner tonight? Well, if you like Super Mario Bros., burgers and bacon you might want to try a couple of delicious Koopa Troopa burgers.

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These awesome turtle-shaped burgers were created by Instructables contributor Canida, and they look juicy and delicious. You’ll need some ground beef, bacon, hot dogs, hamburger buns and food coloring to pull off these delectable creations for yourself.

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You can check out the full recipe and instructions over on Instructables, but we’re pretty sure that with that ingredient list and these pictures in hand, you’re smart enough to figure it out. Bonus points if you use actual turtle meat and top them with mushrooms.

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Robot sea turtle will map shipwrecks that humans can’t reach (video)

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U-CAT robot sea turtle

Some shipwrecks are too costly or dangerous for humans to explore, but many underwater robots are too disruptive and unwieldy to serve as substitutes. The Tallinn Institute of Technology's new U-CAT mapping robot solves that dilemma by imitating one of the ocean's more graceful creatures: the sea turtle. The small machine uses flippers to get around instead of propellers, preventing it from kicking up silt (which would obscure its camera) and letting it turn on a dime. It's also autonomous, which helps it venture deep into a wreck without worrying about cables. It's sure to have a big impact on underwater archaeology, and you can see it in person if you swing by the London Science Museum between November 28th and December 1st. However, It will eventually map shipwrecks in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas as part of the EU's ARROWS Project, providing more detail than any diver could manage.

[Image credit: Tallin University of Technology, Flickr]

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Via: Gizmag

Source: Tallinn University of Technology, ARROWS Project

Turtle Missing for 30 Years Found in Locked Storage Room – Alive!

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When it comes to pets, most people stick with dogs and cats. Some folks out there want something a bit different like snakes or turtles. A family from Brazil had a pet turtle, but lost it many years ago. The people thought the turtle wandered out of the house when builders left the door open.

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Not the actual turtle found, but a reasonable facsimile

30 years later the family was back at the home cleaning it out after the death of a family member. When they got into a locked storage building inside the home, they discovered the missing turtle living inside a box.

“I put the box on the pavement for the rubbish men to collect, and a neighbor said, ‘you’re not throwing out the turtle as well are you?’ ” the younger Almeida told Brazil’s Globo website. “I looked and saw her. At that moment, I turned white, I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”

The turtle was found living in a cardboard box. Veterinarians say that red-footed tortoise such as this can live two to three years without eating. However, 30 years is a bit of a stretch. The vet thinks the turtle probably lived by drinking condensation and eating termites or other bugs.

[via MNN]