I am going to the Amazon...

Sounds amazing!

Eww Kurt...what is that!

Eww Kurt...what is that!

Oh Kimmi, it's a cute little sloth. ( I think :lol: )

Bsmart...what an incredible opportunity. That's really cool.

Oh Kimmi, it's a cute little sloth. ( I think :lol: )

No, I am a cute little sloth! 😀

No, I am a cute little sloth! 😀

Are you having identity issues MK? Never forget you are a high class kittay!

Name this amazonian animal:_______________________________

Are you having identity issues MK? Never forget you are a high class kittay!

:lolabove: ...guess that is better than a snooty cooty!!! I can be sloth like sometimes. 😀

:lolabove: ...guess that is better than a snooty cooty!!! I can be sloth like sometimes. 😀

Me too....a sowal sloth...very slow to move off this board!

this sounds like an amazing trip bsmart! take some pix for us!

this sounds like an amazing trip bsmart! take some pix for us!

I will absolutely take lots of photos. I have actually known about this trip for quite some time, but wasn't sure if I would go until now. I am extremely nervous about traveling to South America, and this trip leaves me with like three days to prepare for law school when I get back, but hey what the heck.

what are you gonna do about the anacondas and pirhannas and especially that conchiru catfish... is that the one that like swims in then shoots out all the needles??? and all the Brazilians are gonna be pissed off that they lost to France in World Cup... be careful

what are you gonna do about the anacondas and pirhannas and especially that conchiru catfish... is that the one that like swims in then shoots out all the needles??? and all the Brazilians are gonna be pissed off that they lost to France in World Cup... be careful

I forgot about the anacondas. I am like 6'2 and Eleanor, the director of PAC, tells me that I am going to stand out and the locals will stare at me, including those in Lima. So I guess it will be hard to conceal my identity as an American citizen.

hope you have a safe trip - sounds like an adventure !

what are you gonna do about the anacondas and pirhannas and especially that conchiru catfish... is that the one that like swims in then shoots out all the needles??? and all the Brazilians are gonna be pissed off that they lost to France in World Cup... be careful

I think he is joking about this conchiru catfish! He had a laughing smiley out by this post! Maybe bsmart needs to provide a pic for us to see this conchiru catfish??? No reference was found to it anywhere so obviously it doesn't exist!!!

I think he is joking about this conchiru catfish! He had a laughing smiley out by this post! Maybe bsmart needs to provide a pic for us to see this conchiru catfish??? No reference was found to it anywhere so obviously it doesn't exist!!!

Actually bsmarts spelling was off..it is the candir? fish, and yes they do exist, and they do exactly what they said they do. I have seen them on the Discovery channel.

Proof here.

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/catfish/candiru.html

The vampire fish of Brazil.

Sorry, maybe if I would have called it the correct name...it is actually called the Candiru Catfish.

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/catfish/candiru.html

Sorry, maybe if I would have called it the correct name...it is actually called the Candiru Catfish.

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/catfish/candiru.html

That's ok sweetie, I got your back. ;-)

Actually bsmarts spelling was off..it is the candir? fish, and yes they do exist, and they do exactly what they said they do. I have seen them on the Discovery channel.

Proof here.

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/catfish/candiru.html

The vampire fish of Brazil.

Thanks KDW!

Thanks KDW!

My pleasure!!!!

Thanks for clarifying that. Anything a suitable deterrent from that fish??? Had gone to wikipedia and couldn't find it there or anywhere else. Don't worry bsmart, I thought you might be trying to pull one over on people with that laughing smiley! :lol:

Amputation of the private areas is the cheapest, and most life-changing, way to remove the fish. 😱

Oh, I am sure bsmart isn't worried. He knew what he was talking about. It took me all of about 3 seconds to find the fish picture. :lol:

bsmart, staysmart on your trip and you'll be just fine. have funn, take lots of pics, and give us a full report when you return. 😀

Actually bsmarts spelling was off..it is the candir? fish, and yes they do exist, and they do exactly what they said they do. I have seen them on the Discovery channel.

Proof here.

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/animals1/catfish/candiru.html

The vampire fish of Brazil.

😱 OMG that fish is not kidding around... bsmart - I know you plan to stay away from the water... no skinny dipping or urinating... 😀

The trip sounds awesome bsmart! :cool: They actually have some candir? at the Georgia Aquarium. If you haven't been yet, they are in the River Scout exhibit. All the fish in that exhibit are from the Amazon.

The only way I'd want to see those bad boys would be through the safety of that big ol' plexiglass wall! 😱

From an article about the Candiru:

When candirus parasitize humans, it is usually only when they are skinny-dipping while urinating in the water. The candiru tastes the urine stream and follows it back to the human. It then swims up the anus and lodges itself somewhere in the urinary tract with its spines. Blood is drawn, and the candiru gorges itself on both the blood and body tissue, its body sometimes expanding due to the amount of blood. This is all said to be very painful for the poor person who has this happen to him or her. Unfortunately, they are almost impossible to remove due to the spines. Amputation of the private areas is the cheapest, and most life-changing, way to remove the fish. Actual surgery is extremely expensive and involves inserting the Xagua plant and the Buitach apple up the urethra. These two plants kill and even dissolve the parasitic fish. If surgery is not done in time, the blockage of the urinary tract will prove fatal. The candiru is the only known vertebrate to parasitize humans.