Largemouth Bass Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Largemouth Bass - Essay Example The blotches give it a beautiful look. The anterior part of the fish has 9-11 spines and a clearly divided fin; while, the posterior part consists of 12-14 soft rays (â€Å"Largemouth Bass†, para.1). They are given the name largemouth because their upper jaw is so big that it reaches the rear end of the eyes at either side. In the first year of its life, this fish grows 5-6 inches. In two years, it is about 8-12 inches; and a three year old fish is nearly 16 inches long. â€Å"The Alabama state angling record (16 lb, 8 oz) was caught in Mountain View Lake, Shelby County, in 1987† (â€Å"Largemouth Bass†, para.2). Largemouth Bass are said to be the biggest predators of the aquatic environment. They become active predators right in the first year of their lives. They feed on zooplankton, smaller sunfish, crayfish, smaller amphibians, and other little insects (Oster 10). Adult Bass feeds on smaller Bass and other fish of the aquatic ecosystem. Since this fish has a large mouth, it has the advantage of fewer predators. However, young largemouth bass is preyed upon by many predators like herons and larger fish. They can survive in a wide variety of aquatic habitats; however, they are most commonly found in quieter watery regions, such as manmade ponds, submerged logs, and rock ledges. They are able to tolerate turbidity and loose current in these waters. They are largely found in rivers and lakes in Texas, where they begin their spawning in spring season. It is when the temperature of the waters reaches 60? F. In winters, they move deep into the sea to find warmth; and in spring, they come up on bays that have become warmer (Bridges and Bester, para.6). They come in shallow waters when they are looking for food, in the mornings and evenings. The male bass makes nest under the water where the female bass lays eggs. Then she goes away, and the male bass protects the eggs that hatch in 5-10 days. The newborns are called fry, and they stay in groups called schools. Their schools are under direct supervision of the male bass. The lifespan of a largemouth bass is nearly 16 years (Texas Parks and Wildlife, para. 4). The Official Web site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (â€Å"Largemouth Bass†, para.3) states that: Native populations of Micropterus salmoides occur throughout the eastern United States. Extensive stockings of the Florida subspecies, M. s. floridanus, and the mainland subspecies, M. s. salmoides, have expanded the range of this species from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast and from southern Canada into Mexico. The Florida subspecies of largemouth bass has been selectively stocked in Alabama since 1971 and continues to be stocked by state and private fisheries biologists. Subspecies of largemouth bass have been introduced into Texas, and thus, largemouth bass becomes a specialty of this state. Texas has a great number of bass angling clubs where largemouth bass fishing is done. This fishing is very important for Texas’ economy as fish anglers prefer largemouth bass over any other fish for fishing. The trend of catch and release is growing, especially when the anglers catch adult largemouth bass. This is because most of these are female breeders, and it becomes important for the anglers to release them in the same water after catching, so that the breeding of fish is not disturbed. Texas is also popular for largemouth fish as delicious seafood, due to

In engaging with subculture street culture, do girls simply mimic the Essay

In engaging with subculture street culture, do girls simply mimic the practices of their male counterparts or exhibit their own - Essay Example Current paper focuses on a particular cultural style: subculture street culture. Particular reference is made to the engagement of girls with subculture street culture and the points at which this engagement is differentiated from that of boys. The literature developed in regard to this issue has been reviewed; a relevant interview has been also employed so that all aspects of this study’s subject are fully explored. The key finding of the study seems to be the following: girls tend to mimic boys in engaging with subculture street culture but they may introduce elements of behaviour or dressing aiming to show their willingness for expressing own specificity. 2. Subculture and street culture 2.1 Characteristics and aspects of subculture and street culture In order to understand the modes of engagement used by girls in regard to subculture and street culture it would be necessary to explore primarily the context of culture and subculture. Then the criteria and the methods used b y girls to be engaged with subculture could be fully understood. According to Hebdige (1979) culture is a term that can be described as ‘tending’. ... rtance of culture as an indication of moral values (Hoggart and Williams in Hebdige 1979, p.5) while Barthes (1972) considered that culture should be considered more as related to everyday life (Barthes in Hebdige 1979, p.6). At this point, the following question should appear: which of the above approaches in regard to culture should be taken as the basis for evaluating the content and the popularity of subculture street culture among young people? If the first view, that of Hoggart and Williams is rejected this means that subculture in general is opposed to moral and ethics, an assumption that could not be accepted. On the other hand, the second view seems to be closer to the actual role of subculture street culture: to establish a community of ideas/ trends for its supporters, i.e. to become a style of life for those who believe that these trends reflect their personal beliefs and thoughts. In other words, subculture, as part of culture, could be regarded as being a style of life in the context of which specific behavioural and dressing codes apply and which is not necessarily opposed to morals. However, it is possible for a mode of subculture to challenge morals and ethics, an intention that it is usually expressed clearly by the creators of the relevant movement/ mode of subculture. When referring specifically to subculture, the following issue should be highlighted: in most cases, subculture is considered as opposed to social order (Hebdige 1979). For example, ‘teddy boys, punks and skinheads’ (Hebdige 1979, p.3) have been often treated as a threat for social order. Of course, it cannot be denied that these forms of subculture have been developed in order to express ‘the resistance to the existing political and social system’ (Hebdige 1979, p.3). Still,