Tou-can do it!

Elephant trunk snake (Acrochordus javanicus) in Indonesia

The much anticipated Mola Molaid has been spotted basking at the surface!

While mermaids arose from fish and are not even remotely related to mammals, their spines oscillate in an up-and down motion, rather than side to side like mundane fish and sharks. As such, they are dorsally compressed, and swim by moving their tail vertically, pushing water downward to propel forward. This anatomy allows most mermaids to tread water with their torsos above the surface.

Mola Mola mermaids, however, are barely built for swimming. Their humanoid half is flexible enough, but their multi-ton tail is built for drifting stealthily up to jellyfish with minimal movement.

If you've never eaten jellyfish or other cnidarians, you'll want to find a sunfish chef to introduce you. Mermaids have been cooking flora and fauna of the sea for thousands of years. They have access to spices and side dishes we can't even begin to pronounce.

Though trade has been booming between humans and coastal mermaids, pelagic and deep sea people still have much they keep to themselves.

While they cannot tell you the ingredients of By-the-wind crepes, privileged sailors can order them from restaurants that float just below the surface. These venues drift about, soaking up the sun just like the cooks and patrons who run the place.

Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum), male, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, AZ, USA

Pardal/House Sparrow

Coruja-buraqueira/Burrowing Owl

Bubulcus ibis [アマサギ,Cattle egret]

Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii), male, family Icteridae, order Passeriformes, AZ, USA