ZooWeird 58

A doggerel series about odd or little-known animals.

Opah. New research by NOAA Fisheries has revealed the opah (Lampris Guttatus) to be the first fully warm-blooded fish. Also known as moonfish, it circulates heated blood throughout its body much like mammals and birds do, giving it a competitive advantage in the cold ocean depths. With a maximum length of 2m (roughly the size of a large tire), the fish is known from oceans around the world, dwelling hundreds of feet beneath the surface in cold, dimly lit waters. It swims by rapidly flapping its large, red pectoral fins like wings through the water. (All animal info from http://www.strangeanimals.info/2015/05/opah-warm-blooded-fish.html#ixzz4WiqPkyE7)

The opah is a predator—

Warm-blooded—also very cold.

His presence never is a bore—

The opah, dude, is very bold.

So Oprah caught an opah once—

Invited it to join her show.

The opah, though, a wicked dunce,

Declined—gave her a certain “No!”

That night at Oprah’s massive place

A massive crowd—oh, quite a deal!—

Assembled in her dining space—

Had massive opah for their meal.