Let me express your reaction for you: WHAT is that? Of course you don't know, because the blobfish is one of the most rare animals inhabiting our globe, and the chances of you seeing one in person are about as likely as you catching a glimpse of the Loch Ness Monster.
The blobfish, looking quite blobular indeed and nonetheless sounding as if a two-year old named it, is currently in danger of extinction due to deep sea fishing off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. It inhabits waters where the pressure is so high that a normal "gas bladder" would imbalance its buoyancy. The blobfish, whose skin consists of mainly gelatinous matter, doesn't have much muscle, but it doesn't need it either. It just consumes whatever food floats by it near the ocean floor. Talk about laziness.
Admittedly, I cannot convince you that the blobfish possesses some redeeming qualities that make it "cute" (Yes, I'm sure I convinced most of you that skunks are, in fact, cute). When I first stumbled upon this animal, I was sure it was fake- a replica of some alien or even a made-up inspiration for Jabba the Hutt in Star Wars.
See the resemblance? For me, the blobfish's peculiar nature mostly stems from how little people know about it. The lack of scientific information about the fish is probably due to its extremely rare sightings, but what other animal literally resembles a shapeless mass the color of a brain? Cool- life as a blob. I'm captivated, as I'm sure most other lazy college students are. Perhaps the blobfish lives a lackadaisical lifestyle that many of us would envy, or maybe the blobfish is just another funny looking animal that happens to remind us of Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars. No matter which way you view the blobfish, this particularly peculiar animal deserves distinction for its somewhat appalling brain-like appearance, lazy living habits, and aura of mystery.
It makes me sad that any animal is almost extinct and so rare but at the same time this one in particular I can't really look at for too long. Sorry little guy! =(
ReplyDeleteNow officially a fan of the blobfish. Props to whoever named this species for calling it as he or she saw it. I wouldn't go so far as to say they're cute, but they definitely have an interesting look to them. It's ironic that it takes more muscles to frown than smile in humans, but this blob has barely any muscles at all, and yet it is perpetually frowning.
ReplyDeleteI too am captivated by the blobfish's existence, especially the day-to-day of it.
Even though the blobfish directly resembles Jabba the Hutt, it is still hard to look away from its picture. I wouldn't say it's cute either, but I find its look to be rather interesting. It's sad that we don't know much about this fish and it is now endangered. Poor thing!
ReplyDeleteAs disturbing this fish is to look at, I can't help but he fascinated by it. It's a shame that they are about to go extinct because aquariums would be must be interesting to go to to see these fish rather than a typical stingray and some starfish and turtles. I know I'd definitely pay money to see an exhibit at an aquarium to see these fish in their habitat and see how they function.
ReplyDeleteI have unfortunately heard and seen the blobfish before and each time my reaction is "GAAAHH, why?" It almost looks cartoonishly droopy.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the next one will be cute like an echidna or something :)
I've got to admit, I flipped out a little when I saw the picture at the beginning of this post. The ocean truly holds many wonders... it's amazing how this one fish could have evolved to become the way it is today.
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