The Ugliest Animal In The World: Blobfish
Psycorolutes marcidus, or commonly known as blobfish, is a sea creature living in the deep waters
off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. They live in very deep depths in the sea where the pressure is
extremely high compared to sea level. Blobfish lacks of muscles, however they are able to float above the
sea floor easily they are jellylike masses with a density slightly less than water. These creatures feast on
invertebrates such as crabs and sea pens.
Blobfish became wildly popular and famous after the species earned the title of the winner of the
“World’s Ugliest Animal” in September of 2013. It beat the other competitors such as the proboscis
monkey, British bats, and the flightless dung beetle by almost 10,000 votes. The reasons for the votes
were its physical appearance that cannot be described with other words than squishy blob. Many left
comments saying they look like “a big, blobby tadpole.” The contest was put out by the Ugly Animal
Preservation Society to spread the word about these endangered species that are “aesthetically
challenged.” Scientists fear that blobfish could possibly face extinction one day due to deep-ocean
trawling.
The pictures that went viral on Internet were mostly blobfish out of the water. Its “ugliness” of
there peculiar creatures seems to be created by how its shape looks very different when out of the sea.
My first impression of this creature was the very slight resemblance it has to a character from the
popular British TV show Doctor Who called the Face of Boe. I believe they both possess very distinct
physical appearance that sticks to one’s mind. I personally do not think this animal is ugly. Yes, it does not
look cute like pandas or narwhals, however they look interesting. Deformed, yet squishy and unique. I
really hope scientists figure out a way to save these poor, distinct animals.
Citation
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Gayomali, Chris. "Meet the Blobfish: The Newly Crowned 'ugliest Animal in the World'"Yahoo! News.
Yahoo!, 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
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"Save the Blobfish! 5 Ugly Endangered Animals That Need Our Love." Discover Magazine. Discover
Magazine, n.d. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
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Memmott, Mark. "You May Not Want To Look: Blobfish Named 'Ugliest Animal'"NPR. NPR, 21 Sept.
2013. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.
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Edrick, Vann. "The Blobfish." Stunning and Interesting Facts A Collection of Interesting Facts,
Stunning Facts, Weird Facts, Animal Facts, Food Facts, Health Facts. N.p., 21 Sept. 2013. Web. 24
Jan. 2014.
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"Blobfish." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Jan. 2014. Web. 24 Jan. 2014.