Riddle me this

[weird]

I killed a strange animal, looked like a sting ray on its back, took 5-6 attempts to kill it, don't know what it was, looks like a blood sucker of some description with a hole in the middle of its belly. Cat found it in the house, what the f is this ?

 

[prawn_86]

What size are we talking? Got a photo?

 

[weird]

we only took a video on the camera, I will try to post a pic.

This is a weird animal I believe and not one that most people would be comfortable having around (I grew up with nature, but the guy I saw today is a freak, where there is one ....).

 

[weird]

Here we go, what is this ? it is about the size of a 50 cent coin.

 

[Wysiwyg]

I killed a strange animal, looked like a sting ray on its back, took 5-6 attempts to kill it, don't know what it was, looks like a blood sucker of some description with a hole in the middle of its belly. Cat found it in the house, what the f is this ?

It may have been in search of water.

 

[weird]

It may have been in search of water.

True, but what is it ??? Never seen this sort of thing before, perhaps if we can identify it then it won't have such an unfortunate dismal in the future if it is harmless.

Like carpet snakes, as they eat pests, but don't attack humans.

 

[Boyou]

True, but what is it ??? Never seen this sort of thing before, perhaps if we can identify it then it won't have such an unfortunate dismal in the future if it is harmless.

Like carpet snakes, as they eat pests.

Perhaps the question should be re-phrased.Why did I kill it?

Suggestion..irrational fear?

 

[weird]

Perhaps the question should be re-phrased.Why did I kill it?

Suggestion..irrational fear?

Yup, guilty of all. Identify if you can what I actually killed ... that poor bug. Be careful of any ants u may step on or mossies u may swat.

Seriously, why do I have mutant fish looking thing in my house ??????

 

[Fishbulb]

That's a peculiar looking thing. Never seen anything like it. My brain tried to make out it was some sort of slater bug but I wasn't buying it.

And I would probably have killed it too if it were here....I've seen too many X-Files to let that thing just slip by.

 

[jbocker]

That is wierd. Any legs? How was it moving? Like a snail or a caterpilar. It looks like a cocoon of sorts that may have previouslt been hanging from a tree (by the tail), some move particulaly just before the adult emerges usually in a spiralling motion. Some cocoons can be rather leathery and difficult to 'kill'.

Keep us posted.

 

[weird]

Mystery solved ... who knew there was an id group, courtesy of a friend,

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raaaabert/4225227720/?addedcomment=1#comment72157623253882358

http://www.gekkota.com/html/p__platurus.html

 

[Buckfont]

Hi weird,

Thanks to flicker and getting a blown up photo I too vouch for it being a Broadleaf Gecko tail. I have them under my house and in the walls here (1 hour nth of Sydney). They do `throw` their tails when confronted as a means of defense. The ones here are about 75-100mm long and the tail size fits your description of the size of a 50c piece.
They are odd little critters with crocodile (reptilian) eyes that squeak quite loudly if you attempt to pick them up.
Hope this clarifies further.

 

[weird]

Hi weird,

Thanks to flicker and getting a blown up photo I too vouch for it being a Broadleaf Gecko tail. I have them under my house and in the walls here (1 hour nth of Sydney). They do `throw` their tails when confronted as a means of defense. The ones here are about 75-100mm long and the tail size fits your description of the size of a 50c piece.
They are odd little critters with crocodile (reptilian) eyes that squeak quite loudly if you attempt to pick them up.
Hope this clarifies further.

I am quite envious, love this sort of stuff, as grew up with a creek in the backyard in Rocky, so use to have quite a few critters about, but not seen this type of animal before ... so cool.

 

[skc]

I would have guessed an obsease silverfish or something.

You have got to marval at the the intelligence of mother nature! Managed to fool even human with internet.

 

[jbocker]

Hey Well Done on the mystery being solved. Didn't understand the hole though, surely it doesnt lose its bum in the deal!
PS
come to think of it though I nearly lost mine in a couple of deals

 

[skc]

Hey Well Done on the mystery being solved. Didn't understand the hole though, surely it doesnt lose its bum in the deal!
PS
come to think of it though I nearly lost mine in a couple of deals

I suspect the "hole" is the connection between the detached tail and the body... may be blood vessels or soft bone tissues which looked like a hole / mouth?

 

[jbocker]

I suspect the "hole" is the connection between the detached tail and the body... may be blood vessels or soft bone tissues which looked like a hole / mouth?

Good point skc.
I was referring back to Weirds original descrition, "hole in the middle of its belly".
In writing this, it has just occurred to me, maybe the hole is a tooth mark from the cat and not a anatomical feature of the gecko.
cheers

 

[weird]

I agree, must be a bite mark. I am surprised my cat actually got a bite into anything, I remember her chasing a possum, thought they were wrestling in the backyard garden after running past the door (door and rustling about 15 meters), but she hadn't even past 5 meters from the door, she was standing and panting out of breath.