It is native to Australia, which doesn't surprise me at all given that it looks more like a trap designed by a deranged dungeon keeper than a creature

Obligatory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tasselled_wobbegong

My son had a book called "You're Called What?!" which featured a tasseled wobbegong, alongside other animals such as the Shovelnose Guitarfish, Bone Eating Snot Flower Worm, and the Aha Ha.

My partner and I have this thing where we ask each other if we are the other person's x, where x is something ridiculous, cute, grotesque, or profane. For example, I once asked my partner if I was her gutter-bloated corpse, to which she, of course, answered in the affirmative.

I'll soon find out if I am actually a tasselled wobbegong carpet shark in the eyes of my partner.

As an aside, I asked the corpse thing after reading this delightful line from one of my very favorite books:

“Body found floating by the docks,” Glokta breathed, “bloated by seawater and horribly mutilated… far… far beyond recognition.”

"Damn, is this acid bunk? It's been like an hour."

The carpet:

It looks like a Muppet.

I've seen more convincing muppets.

It's real.

I’m sure Nintendo/Gamefreak are going to file an infringement case against them.

there's a whole order of carpet sharks. orectolobiformes

When I was getting my bio degree, carpet sharks (including Wobbegons) are what I was most interested in studying. Just about every family in the order is fascinating in some way.

This planet is so beautiful and wonderful. And underneath its waters is an entirely different world, full of wild and majestic creatures just like the Tasselled Wobbegong here. I pray that we act quick enough on our climate initiatives to save these things for the future.

I keep reading it as woebegone.

That's a goosefish.

Unless it sings a happy song teaching me letters or numbers, I’m out.

https://images.app.goo.gl/2NV7pTaVMZFAxN68A

What is everyone on about puppets? This looks like something out of neverending story. Turn around, look at what you see.

I loved these things as an ocean obsessed kid. Fun to see it mentioned; i haven't thought about these for a long time!

But do you think it has cute babies?

Is it wearing a gilly suit?

I want one! What kinda food do I get? 🥰