This is the kind of internet we’re here for.
Given the sad news that Jack and Dani have broken up, we’re in the mood for a good pick-me-up story and spotting this seal, albeit in a very unfortunate predicament with an eel stuck up its nose, has given us a laugh.
There’s a sentence I never thought I’d write.
Twitter has exploded today with people’s reactions to the bizarre photo and we’re living for the craic of it all.
WHEEEEEEN THEEEEE
NOSE OF A SEAL
HAS BEEN STUFFED WITH AN EEL
THAT’S A MORAY https://t.co/rjDabSvvtw— FIIIIIVE GO-HOLD RIIIIINNNGSAH (@Scriblit) December 7, 2018
You’ve heard of Elf on A Shelf….
How about Eel in A Seal?! pic.twitter.com/L6yRYZIGGK
— ??DansGiving?? (@DanIsAPhantom) December 6, 2018
According to Live Science, this isn’t the first time it’s happened. Seals with eels up their noses is a phenomenon that has been increasing in the past couple of years. And apparently, it seems to always be the right nostril with the trapped eel! Charles Littnan, a monk seal conservation biologist has said that as yet, scientists do not know why this is occurring but has a few theories.
Monk seals feed at the bottom of the ocean and Charles thinks that eels could be ramming themselves up the noses of seals as a defence mechanism before accidentally getting trapped.
Or (charmingly) the eels could be a regurgitation of an earlier meal the seal consumed.
Thankfully, Live Science has said that:
“In every instance of eel-nose, including this one, the researchers have removed the eel successfully. The seals were all fine, but the eels did not make it.”
R.I.P(eel)
