Midwest
Rare snake-like fish that breathes air caught in Missouri for fourth time: 'Aggressive predators'
Is it a fish? Is it a snake? No, it’s a snakehead fish.
For only the fourth time in the state of Missouri, an angler caught a northern snakehead fish that is not native to the U.S.
Fisheries biologists with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) confirmed the catch occurred on May 25 in Wayne County, according to a recent press release.
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The predatory fish has a head that resembles a snake and a body that could grow up to 3 feet in length with a “python-like coloration and pattern.”
“The angler recognized they had something different and researched the fish’s characteristics, and realized it was indeed a snakehead,” MDC Fisheries Biologist Dave Knuth said, according to the release.
“The angler left it on the pavement for several hours thinking it would die, and it never did.”
The snakehead was eventually transported to the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) office and recovered by an MDC conservation agent four hours after the fish had been left in a bag, the MDC reported in the release.
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“When I picked up the fish, it was still very much alive,” Jacob Plunkett, an MDC Wayne County conservation agent, said.
Along with the fish’s snake-like appearance, the species can breathe air and slither across the ground to get to a body of water.
It’s ability to breathe air allows it to survive in “poorly oxygenated water or out of water for several days” as long as its skin stays moist, the MDC reported.
“Snakeheads are an invasive species native to Asia. They’re aggressive predators, preying on native species, and competing for resources,” the MDC’s release said.
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The first time a northern snakehead was recorded in Missouri was in 2019, after being caught in a borrow ditch in Dunklin County.
The invasive snakehead fish, native to Asia, has been recorded in Missouri for the fourth time. The snakehead caught on May 25 (not pictured) in Wayne County was transported to the local U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) office and recovered by an MDC conservation agent. Wappapello Lake is pictured here, which belongs to the area where the snakehead was captured. (Recreation.gov; iStock)
The other two northern snakeheads confirmed by the MDC were captured in 2023.
The MDC shared a series of items to check off if you come in contact with the invasive fish.
Make sure the fish is actually a snakehead and not a native boffin, which is a common mistake.
Do not release the fish or throw it along the bank. Instead, photograph the fish so the MDC can positively identify the species and take note of the location in which it was caught.
Snakeheads can breathe air and slither along the ground to get to a new body of water after spending hours or even days out of water, as long as their skin remains moist. (iStock)
Kill the fish by severing the head from the body, gutting it or placing it in a sealed bag.
Be sure to report any catches or sightings of the northern snakehead fish to the MDC, the agency said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the MDC for comment.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle.
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Milwaukee, WI
Brewers, Salvation Army pack hundreds of lunches for Milwaukee children through Feed the Kids program
MILWAUKEE—- The Milwaukee Brewers and The Salvation Army teamed up Monday to help fight childhood hunger by packing hundreds of lunches for children across Milwaukee County.
Brewers front office staff, volunteers, and community leaders assembled 600 lunches at American Family Field as part of the annual Feed the Kids summer meals program.
Each lunch includes a turkey sandwich with cheese, fruit, vegetables, and milk. The meals will be distributed to children on weekdays through August 21st at six locations throughout Milwaukee County while school is out for the summer. The locations include Salvation Army Citadel Corps, Cold Springs Corps, Tiefenthaler Park, Westlawn Gardens, Salvation Army Distribution Center, and Carver Park. The Salvation Army also reminds attendees that all meals must be eaten on-site in accordance with USDA policy.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County Area Commander Major Beverly Gates, and Brewers players Andrew Vaughn and Chad Patrick joined volunteers during the event.
“While school is out, many children lose access to the meals they depend upon during the school year,” Major Beverly said. “Feed the Kids helps to fill that void, making sure that children have something nutritious to eat and reminding them that they are valued, that they’re important and that they’re supported.”
The Feed the Kids program began in 1990 and has provided more than 2.8 million meals to children facing food insecurity across Milwaukee County.
“I think just the act of making a sandwich may not seem like a lot, but really, for the kids across Milwaukee, it means a ton,” Mayor Johnson said. “For kids in Milwaukee and for kids in cities, the hunger really spikes when they’re no longer in school, when they don’t have, you know, that sort of structured programming around them. So the work that you’re doing today, it may seem pretty simple making a sandwich, but it really goes much farther than that.”
Organizers say the program helps fill the gap for families who rely on school meal programs during the academic year, ensuring children continue to have access to nutritious lunches throughout the summer.
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai taking mental health leave for a month
Minneapolis City Council member Aisha Chughtai said Monday she will be taking a monthlong leave to seek outpatient care for her mental health.
Chughtai said her “office will remain open to continue serving the people of Ward 10,” but she will miss the council meeting on July 16. She plans to return before the July 30 meeting.
“I love representing the people of this Ward. It’s the greatest honor of my life. And that’s why I feel obligated to do so to the best of my abilities,” Chughtai said in a statement. “Because of the current state of my mental health, I fear falling short of that obligation. That’s why I’m briefly stepping back. I fully expect to return energized and ready to give more than ever for the people of Ward 10 and everyone in the city.”
In her statement, Chughtai cited “a high-stakes election … several mass shootings, and a federal occupation” as recent stressors on her mental health.
Chughtai said she has notified the council and Mayor Jacob Frey, and encouraged Ward 10 residents to contact her office via email with any questions or concerns.
“I know that when I return, I’ll be back stronger, ready to form deeper partnerships, and ready to fight even harder for our neighbors,” she said.
Chughtai was first elected in 2021 to represent Ward 10, which includes the south Minneapolis neighborhoods of East Bde Maka Ska, East Isles, Lowry Hill East, South Uptown and Whittier.
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Trained crisis counselors are available 24 hours a day to talk about anything.
In addition, help is available from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI. Call the NAMI Helpline at 800-950-6264 or text “HelpLine” to 62640. There are more than 600 local NAMI organizations and affiliates across the country, many of which offer free support and education programs.
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