Wasserschwein

In English, we know this South American rodent (the largest rodent on the planet, and recently introduced to Florida) as the capybara. This word comes from the Guarani word, kapiyva, meaning "master of the grasses."

German speakers, though, know this animal as the Wasserschwein, meaning "water pig." A much more suitable name, no?

These ugly rodents (am I repeating myself?) don't seem very rodentlike. They can grow as big as 140 lbs and almost 6 ft in length. They live in herds, have partially webbed feet, and spend quite a bit of time in and under the water.

One interesting sidenote: back in the 16th century, the Roman Catholic Church designated this mammal as a fish, based upon inaccurate descriptions and the animal's aquatic life. This fish designation makes the capybara eligible to be eaten during Lent. This in turn has led to Venezuelan farmers exporting 400 metric tons of capybara meat annually onto Catholic dinner plates. Capybara fans may want to petition Rome for a change of status. But then, pig (even water pig) is good eating.

Photo source: Franz

Odd Hunter

Just trust me. That's a fish. It's a shark. It's a wobbegong shark. See those wormlike appendages around its mouth? It uses them to suck its prey toward its razor-like teeth. Wouldn't that be a horrifying death.

Photo courtesy: www.kidzone.ws

Too Ugly to Eat

The Galapagos marine iguana is basking in his own ugliness. Do I detect a bit of a smug smile?

In 1798, Captain James Colnett wrote:
"The guanas are small, and of a sooty black, which, if possible, heightens their native ugliness. Indeed, so disgusting is their appearance, that no one on board could be prevailed on, to take them as food."

These guys have always been repulsive, evidently to their benefit. That might explain his smile.

Photo courtesy: Franz

Baby Hippo

Thanks, Brian, for pointing the way to this picture of a baby hippo at a Japanese zoo. Once again, we have proof positive that babies can be cute and ugly. Being slimy-looking helps. And yes, this is a real hippo.

Photo from: yomiuri.co.jp

Cannibal Cricket

The Mormon cricket is back in the news today. These ravenous insects, the bane of farmers in Utah, Nevada, and Idaho, are expected to march across these states soon. Scientist have been studying these uglies in an effort to understand why they rampage across the landscape periodically. The tentative answer: they are on a forced march for protein and salt.

In 2003, 12 million acres were overrun by these crickets in Nevada alone! The first crickets in the swarm get all the good stuff, leaving those behind them with less and less to eat. Guess how the late comers get their food? By eating their fellow crickets. In fact, your average Mormon cricket can eat a cricket of equal body weight in one hour. That is a world record among animals that actually chew their food.

Cannibalistic and ugly. Nice.

Photo courtesy: Yahoo!

Big Nose Barker

Oh yes. Most animals with oversized noses will be ugly. Add in several thousand pounds of blubber, and you have yourself a winner, like this elephant seal. The nubby teeth help, too. I just won't say any of that to its face.

Photo courtesy: www.abovebelowphotos.com

Honey Baked

Once again I am horrified at how tasty ugly things can be. Poor pig makes me want some honey baked ham.

Photo courtesy: ces.purdue.edu

Molting Dragon Fly

Dragon flies spend their youth as hideous-looking aquatic larvae. Then, like the butterfly (but without the cocoon), they transform into a beautiful ... well, their adult form is definitely an improvement. Great photo, Franz.