Dec 30, 2007

Above the Leviathan

This bird is thinking the same thing I am. It involves a question word, a definite article, a muffled expletive, and a question mark. But I have the good fortune of sitting in the digital glare of my computer screen, not floating above the scaly leviathan.

Are there any ichthyologists out there that can ID this for us? The answer to that question is yes, so let me rephrase. Are there any readers out there that can ID it?

Photo source: Knuttz

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't know what it is.

I just know that it scares me.

Tengu said...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/chi-liu/212811828/

Longfinned Eel, Anguilla reinhardtii

ADORABLE.

Unknown said...

This looks like a run-of-the-mill conger eel (Anguilla sp.). They differ from moray eels in that they have pectoral fins and flatter faces, and some species can survive in fresh water. I think they're cute; just look at the googly fish eyes--not that you can see them all that well in this picture.

Anonymous said...

I concur. Some sort of Anguilla.

Anonymous said...

This scares me in two ways: First, I'm terrified of things under the water when you can't see all of it... and second, I'm scared that the eel will whip around and bite the unsuspecting bird. I don't know much about eels, but they always have mean faces!

Raging Wombat said...

See? You're all so much smarter than I am.

Arachnophile said...

This guy could problably suck down a duckling but I think the bird is safe.

I have to learn more about these Anguilla. Amazing photo!

Jack Ruttan said...

Arr, reminds me of way back when I was a little boy, out on Flathead Lake in Montana. I was floating on my inflatable raft with my diving mask and goggles, looking at the world underwater.

There was a driftwood log down on the lake bottom. But then suddenly the log lifted up, and swam away. It was actually a giant sturgeon!

These are pretty cool creatures, and I think responsible for sightings of what they call "The Flathead Lake Monster." One of them actually jumped out of the water, scaring a water skiier.

End of long story.

Anonymous said...

Ugh, I can't imagine what that would be like to be swimming and have that swim up underneath you. *shudder*