Wildlife enthusiasts love to see images of rare species. There was some good news in 2024 for species on the verge of disappearing. Extinct for 4,000 years, scientists are inching closer to bringing back the Wolly Mammoth. The same holds true for the Fernandina Giant Tortoise, which reemerged for the first time in 100 years in the Galápagos Islands.
National Geographic recently did its part in showcasing some of the rarer wildlife photos of 2024. The photos were stunning as expected, but a shot of the Pacific Viperfish in particular had users looking twice. The rare shot of the fish shows just how creepy it is from up close.
Let’s take a closer look at the Pacific Viperfish and other noteworthy shots from National Geographic’s top photos for 2024.
National Geographic’s Shot Of The Pacific Viperfish’s Needle-Toothed Smile Stuck Out Among The Creepier Shots
Credit to National Geographic for sharing their top wildlife photos of the year for 2024. The actual creepy photo of the rare Pacific Viperfish can be found here.
David Liittschwager is responsible for the creepy shot. The photographer specializes in “the unexpected,” according to National Geographic.
This photo was exactly that as the Pacific viperfish is showing off its “needle-toothed smile.” The fish was featured in a National Geographic story earlier in the year, “These creatures of the ‘twilight zone’ are vital to our oceans.”
Assistant Managing Editor at National Geographic Alexa Keefe spoke positively of the creepy photo.
She tells National Geographic, “He brings us close to creatures most of us never have a chance to see,” she said of photographer David Liittschwager.
What Other Standout Photos Made The List?
There are several other stunning shots included on the list. A mother brown bear relaxing with her cubs in a Romanian forest gives us a sense of tranquility, while the opposite holds true in a black and white photo that features two female hyenas nicknamed Moulin Rouge and Palazzo.
The photo appears as though the hyenas are getting aggressive towards one another. National Geographic refers to the encounter as a “highly sophisticated social interaction.”
Other memorable photos include a gilded catfish in the river’s Bolivian headwaters, along with a pink river dolphin exploring a flooded forest in Brazil’s Ariau River.
A typical viperfish can grow to a length of 30 centimeters. In addition, Viperfish aren’t an endangered species, but they are preyed upon by some dolphin and shark species.
Living in their habitat, Pacific viperfish usually have a life expectancy of 15 to 40 years.
As expected given its appearance, the Pacific Viperfish does in fact bite.
Ocean Twilight Zone writes, “They’re also useful for grabbing a meal: when prey comes near, the viperfish drops a glowing light on its dorsal fin ray like a fishing lure in front of its mouth and—snap! A muscular jaw filled with clear, sharp teeth comes crashing down like a trap. Lucky for the viperfish, its first vertebra has evolved to act as a shock absorber for that powerful bite.”
In terms of eating habits, Viperfish are able to fill up on lanternfish, while they also stack up on algae, fish eggs, and small crustaceans. The Sloane viperfish, in particular, can go days without eating after a meal.
Where Are Viperfish Located?
Viperfish don’t have a specific location, and are found around the world, mostly in tropical and temperature oceans.
Source: thetravel.com
