Like Some People I Know

The wolf-eel (which isn't a true eel), is like some people I know. Their size and menacing appearance give them a bad rap. But if you take the time to know them, they can be quite friendly. In fact, if you were diving off the Oregon coast and could bring yourself to hold a sea cucumber (seen being eaten below), then a wolf-eel might just slither out of its hidey-hole and eat it straight from your hands. But that would involve an encounter with two oceanic uglies, which is more than doctors recommend.

Thanks for the photo, Jared. Also, thanks to Rasmus for identifying an ealier photo of one of these. They are my new favorite not-really-an-eel fish.

Photo courtesy: Chris Wilson

Broomstick Chomper

I love scuba diving. It's one of my favorite hobbies. But I'll tell you what--coming across this face while perusing a sea wall might be enough to keep me out of the water for a long time.

Though the wolf eel is more or less harmless unless provoked, they can chomp a broomstick in half. Combine that with my natural propensity for provoking, and I don't think the wolf eel and I would get along. Thankfully, I don't bring my broomstick with me when I dive, so that's a none issue.

Photo source: Carmyarmyofme

Ugly Stamp

Sherry sent in this image of a stamp that Norway is producing. She knows of my deep and abiding affection for the wolf eel, and knew I would be thrilled that these fish are getting the fame they deserve (check out the middle photo).

My appreciation for ugly increases daily. I'm just glad that others are now validating me.








As a side note - do you know what a wolf eel is called in Norwegian? Steinbit. It means "stone biter". Very nice.

Peek A Boo

I love the wolf eel. So when I cam across this peek-a-boo face in this Flickr pool, I had to share it with you.

Wolf eels are denizens of cracks and crevices, and are known to be friendly around scuba divers. If you want to encounter one in the wild, though, you had best strap on your tank and dive the Pacific coast of North America. Watch out, though. They get as big ast 7 feet and 40 lbs. But once you've found one you like, you'll most likely find him there the next time you visit. Once they've set up shop they like to stay put.

Thanks for the link, Joe, and thanks for the photo, Calvin.

Photo courtesy: Calvin Tang

Lift a glass to the ugly

Pull up a chair and welcome to my ugly beer party!


OK, actually those bottles are empty. They're part of my collection of beers with ugly animals on the label. I'm sorry to report that apparently you can no longer buy this wonderful homage to the elephant seal:



But despair not. We've got a warthog, and if you're not a drinker, you can buy a t-shirt of this one instead:


The very best, though, has to be this fantastic wolf eel:

(You can get a t-shirt of that one too, but it's a different, colorful version.)

Doing research for this post, I stumbled across another one that I don't have that I really need: Ugly Pug Black Lager! If anyone happens to see this in the Washington, DC area, please drop me a line.

Cheers,
Wombat

Personality Can Compensate

Mother nature doesn't always make sense to me. Why waste a pretty purple color on something like a wolf eel?

These fish are friendly, though. Personality can make up for looks. That explains how I got married, at least.

Photo courtesy: Kevin Baird