Chaunacops Encounter | SOI

This Chaunacops is not a Pokemon (although, have to admit, it does kinda look like one). This real-life #DeepSea denizen was featured in a recent @nationalGeographic story by @AshleyBVigil about the species discoveries on the #SEPacificSeamounts expedition. “One creature that stood out is a type of “walking” fish, complete with googly eyes and skin that looks crocheted. It’s a kind of sea toad--a type of deep-sea anglerfish famous for its gloomy expression and the glowing lure that dangles in front of its face to attract prey. Its doily-like skin is made up of little needles that likely offer protection and holes for sensory organs.” (You can see both the small lure and needles in the close-up towards the end of this clip.)
“The sea toad has modified fins that allow it to walk on the seafloor-partly a hunting strategy and partly because it’s more energy efficient than swimming, Sellanes says. As the first scientific report of a sea toad in the southeastern Pacific, the sea toad is likely a new species, experts say.”

[@susanhunter9196]

She looks like a crocheted toy! So beautiful and amazing, thank you!

[@hydroids]

That fish looks like Elmo

[@thegoodlookinorange1986]

He looks like he’s not real sea animal. What a mash up of parts. Frankenfish.❤😊

[@kindtimetraveler]

😮😮😮 Look at the “lure” right between its eyes!!! So friggin’ cool.

[@andrecorrea3510]

???

[@user-lu5ek7nm7s]

Espectacular.Cada vez la Naturaleza nos sorprende más👍🏽👌🏽💯🇪🇸

[@bart2019]

Elmo as a fish

[@dubgua3354]

That thing is like the missing link between the fishes that stayed in the ocean and the fishes that became terrestrial millions of years ago... That thing has 4 legs and you cannot say it doesn't

[@Basil_Fawlty]

Exactly. It's also using them to land and perch on the rock.

[@guillermoahumada9201]

Gracias a Dios no esta en tierra..por que tendría que usar 2 pares de zapatos.

[@Ko-el]

His face rly just :]

[@LM-lv6fv]

Wow! Beautiful creature 👍🏼

[@efjanvenegaszapata2466]

Viva Chile 🇨🇱

[@InfernalAvr0ra]

I love earth.

[@user-vj3yh7fk6z]

It’s creatures like this that live deep down in the ocean as to why we need to #defendthedeep #saveouroceans

[@danielaroman5339]

Que maravilla 😍

[@dinaithamar8040]

😮wow impresionante

[@mimichang4873]

🤩Parece un amigurumis de crochet

[@daninaydenova7115]

Mah new favourite fishey ❤❤❤❤ Frogfish related maybe? Judging by the very confused look on their eyes 😅😘😘

[@leticiamedeiros6228]

Amigurumi!

[@jijoious]

ROTW :- Can we keep it ?
🇨🇳 :- Can we eat it ?

[@daninaydenova7115]

Sadly, most likely "Every human except vegans and vegetarians: Can we eat it or make money out of it?"

[@COKEcoKING]

Quien es ese Pokémon??!!!

[@cosmoisconfused]

Why he look like that