Meet April's Pal of the Month... the Saltwater Lumpfish!
Aptly named for its comically round and bumpy body, the lumpfish is a native of cold northern waters. Instead of scales, it sports leathery skin. While not particularly speedy swimmers, lumpfish have a secret weapon: their pelvic fins act as a powerful suction cup, allowing them to cling tenaciously to rocks even in the roughest currents, where they find ample food.
During winter, these solitary creatures feed in colder waters, but as summer arrives, they migrate to warmer, shallower areas to breed. After the female lays her eggs, the male takes over, diligently guarding the nest until the young hatch.
Globally, Lumpfish are classified as "near threatened". The populations in some locations such as Norway and Iceland are considered healthy and stable, while those in Canada are declining. This is due to overfishing, since lumpfish and their roe are considered a delicacy in some cultures.
Members of the聽Ko-fi Club聽will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!
march is sunshine, melting ice, crisp white tulips, herbal tea, sparkly highlighters, red and pink lips and cheeks, fresh haircuts, early mornings, reading and studying up, rose quartz, bright pink-skied evenings
January & February 2024 Patreon Mini Requests
Those are available for 45$/mo on my patreon
In order:
K / Morshcode / Candidhubris
Morschcode / K / Candidhubris
Snow leopards are the elusive "ghosts of the mountains," perfectly camouflaged in their high-altitude home. With their short legs, they can leap as far as 50ft. Their wide paws act as snowshoes and their large fluffy tail, a warm scarf for the long, cold nights, helps them balance as they navigate the treacherous terrain.
Though they are called leopards, they are more closely related to tigers. They are unable to roar, instead vocalizing with mews, growls, and chuffs.
Snow leopards are listed as Vulnerable. They are often poached for their beautiful fur, but their bones and other body parts are used in traditional medicine as well. Habitat loss further exacerbates the vulnerability.
Members of the Ko-fi Club will get a 3in sticker and a collectible trading card!