Woman captures rare photos of 'penis fish' off coast of Australia

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By VT

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A photographer has amazed and bemused social media users this week with her pictures of a rare "penis fish" taken off the coast of Australia.

The images in question were taken by freediver and marine photographer Josie Jones and were later shared on her official Instagram account.

The pictures, which you can view below, show a distinctly phallus-shaped species of undersea worm relaxing on the ocean floor.

The weird-looking creature in question is a member of the species priapulida - also known as the "penis worm" due to its uncanny resemblance to the male genitalia.

This rare type of unsegmented worm lives in mud and in comparatively shallow waters of up to 90 meters (300 ft) in depth.

The worm's name, priapulida, is an allusion to classical mythology. Namely, to the ancient Greek god Priapos, the deity of male generative power.

Jones herself captioned her post:

"Never in my wildest dreams would I ever think that people would be interested in these photos, but they’ve gone viral [...] I actually avoided sharing it, as I thought it may be considered a bit rude.

"The place where I share most of my photos is @inaturalistorg platform because I really enjoy documenting the marine species in my area and watching the reefs thrive."

Jones then continued:

"I was asked by one of the people on that platform, to share these photos to a marine research page on Facebook and that’s where it all began."

"It’s been shared over a thousand times across FB and that’s just the beginning, it will be interesting to see where this goes?

"The funniest part of it is that this sea cucumber has no idea that it is getting so much attention across the globe! What’s your thoughts [sic]"

[[instragramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CLvQO_fhZ5l/]]

On social media, a number of viewers of the photos have taken to the comments to react to the odd appearance of the creature.

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Credit: Instagram

For instance, one person wrote: "Chinese folk belief attributes male sexual health and aphrodisiac qualities to the sea cucumber, as it physically resembles a phallus, and uses a defense mechanism similar to ejaculation as it stiffens and squirts its own entrails at the aggressor, it is also considered a restorative for tendonitis and arthritis."

wp-image-1263096221 size-full
Credit: Instagram

Meanwhile, someone else commented: "Every bit of attention to our amazing underwater world is sensational. If it can create coversation and awareness it's fantastic. Go the cucumber in all [its] phallic glory!!! Love your work. [sic]"

wp-image-1263096222 size-full
Credit: Instagram

Finally, someone else chimed in: "Oh my goodness! [...] can see why it's gone viral. Did not know these existed.....! [sic]"

Woman captures rare photos of 'penis fish' off coast of Australia

vt-author-image

By VT

Article saved!Article saved!

A photographer has amazed and bemused social media users this week with her pictures of a rare "penis fish" taken off the coast of Australia.

The images in question were taken by freediver and marine photographer Josie Jones and were later shared on her official Instagram account.

The pictures, which you can view below, show a distinctly phallus-shaped species of undersea worm relaxing on the ocean floor.

The weird-looking creature in question is a member of the species priapulida - also known as the "penis worm" due to its uncanny resemblance to the male genitalia.

This rare type of unsegmented worm lives in mud and in comparatively shallow waters of up to 90 meters (300 ft) in depth.

The worm's name, priapulida, is an allusion to classical mythology. Namely, to the ancient Greek god Priapos, the deity of male generative power.

Jones herself captioned her post:

"Never in my wildest dreams would I ever think that people would be interested in these photos, but they’ve gone viral [...] I actually avoided sharing it, as I thought it may be considered a bit rude.

"The place where I share most of my photos is @inaturalistorg platform because I really enjoy documenting the marine species in my area and watching the reefs thrive."

Jones then continued:

"I was asked by one of the people on that platform, to share these photos to a marine research page on Facebook and that’s where it all began."

"It’s been shared over a thousand times across FB and that’s just the beginning, it will be interesting to see where this goes?

"The funniest part of it is that this sea cucumber has no idea that it is getting so much attention across the globe! What’s your thoughts [sic]"

[[instragramwidget||https://www.instagram.com/p/CLvQO_fhZ5l/]]

On social media, a number of viewers of the photos have taken to the comments to react to the odd appearance of the creature.

wp-image-1263096220 size-full
Credit: Instagram

For instance, one person wrote: "Chinese folk belief attributes male sexual health and aphrodisiac qualities to the sea cucumber, as it physically resembles a phallus, and uses a defense mechanism similar to ejaculation as it stiffens and squirts its own entrails at the aggressor, it is also considered a restorative for tendonitis and arthritis."

wp-image-1263096221 size-full
Credit: Instagram

Meanwhile, someone else commented: "Every bit of attention to our amazing underwater world is sensational. If it can create coversation and awareness it's fantastic. Go the cucumber in all [its] phallic glory!!! Love your work. [sic]"

wp-image-1263096222 size-full
Credit: Instagram

Finally, someone else chimed in: "Oh my goodness! [...] can see why it's gone viral. Did not know these existed.....! [sic]"