Huh? Florida’s five weirdest stories in 2012

If we all survive the end of the world, we'll all be able to look back at what was a very weird year in Florida.

Then again, is it ever not? The Sunshine State is a hotbed for the wacky and wild, and 2012 was no different. We take a look back at five of the stories this year that made us go, "huh?"

Teacher makes students wear dog cone collar

This story out of Pasco County made national headlines after a teacher made her students wear a dog cone collar, shaming them into obedience. The students, however, said it was all a joke. School administrators did not laugh.

LINK: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/18250209/2012/05/10/teachers-dog-cone-collar-punishment-was-just-a-joke-students-say

Giant eye mystery

A mysterious, giant eyeball washed ashore along a south Florida beach in October. Researchers later concluded it probably came from a swordfish, but for several days, the world was gifted grand visions of loch ness monsters and giant squids.  

LINK: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19821021/2012/10/15/giant-eye-mystery-solved-experts-say

Woman caught riding manatee

Manatees are known as slow, gentle giants of the sea -- not exactly rodeo material. But that didn't stop one beachgoer from climbing onto one and taking a ride. Unfortunately, she later learned, that's against the law.

LINK:  http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/19705961/2012/10/02/please-do-not-ride-the-manatees

Gov. Scott mixes up phone sex line with meningitis help line

In an embarrassing mixup, staffers for Gov. Rick Scott mistakenly released the phone number of a sex hotline instead of a meningitis help line back in October. Not a shining moment.

LINK: http://www.myfoxorlando.com/story/19783915/gov-scott-gives-out-sex-hotline-number-during

Bizarre DUI mugshot

After a Central Florida man was arrested on DUI charges, officials had to hold his head steady just to take a mugshot – a mugshot that then went viral across the Internet.

LINK: http://myfox8.com/2012/06/22/dui-arrest-leads-to-bizarre-mug-shot/