The blobfish has been voted world’s ugliest animal,
according to the Ugly Animal Preservation Society, which announced the results
Thursday at the British Science Festival.
“We’ve needed an ugly face for endangered animals for a long time and I’ve been
amazed by the public’s reaction,” said Simon Watt, biologist and president of
the Ugly Animal Preservation Society. “For too long the cute and fluffy animals
have taken the limelight, but now the blobfish will be a voice for the [ugly
creatures] who always get forgotten.”
Thousands of people from around the world cast their votes online, said the
society.
The blobfish live at depths of between 600 and 1,200 meters and can grow up to
12 inches in length. It suffers a significant threat from fishing trawlers –
although it is inedible itself, it gets caught up in the nets. It feeds off
crabs and lobsters living at the same depth.
Runners up in the contest include the Kakapo, an endangered parrot, the
Axolotl, a type of salamander and the Titicaca water frog.
According to its website, the Ugly Animal Preservation Society is “dedicated to
raising the profile of some of Mother Nature’s more aesthetically challenged
children.” - VOA
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