ZooWeird 67

A doggerel series about odd or little-known animals.

Red-lipped batfish. The red-lipped batfish is a weird looking fish of the family Ogcocephalidae that is best known for its bright red, lipstick-like lips and for its unique ability to “walk” on the ocean floor using its modified fin. The batfish can be found exclusively on the sandy bottoms around the Galapagos Islands. It is a bottom- dwelling species, found at depths of 30 meters (100 feet.) or greater. The species inhabits sand and rubble substrate, with the deepest recorded sighting being at 120m (400 ft). (All animal info from http://www.strangeanimals.info/2011/10/red-lipped-batfish.html#ixzz4XZ4AK3hL)

It seems that it can walk upon

The deepest ocean floor—

While wearing “lipstick,” piscine-style,

And, yes, there is some more.

But we should pause a little bit—

Of time there is no dearth—

And marvel once again, my friends,

At marvels of the earth

(And sea.)