The title of "World's Ugliest Animal" goes to the blobfish; a pink, squishy-looking animal that is very much deserving of the price.
"Some would describe it as a bit ugly, but I think the sad face of the blobfish belies a kind and very wise little brain in there," Paul Foot, supporter of the blobfish, said about the animal. "On behalf of all the blobfish, thank you for this award. Thank you it means a great deal to me, now, stay away from me and my family."
The Ugly Animal Preservation Society announced in a news release that the blobfish will become their new mascot after a global online public vote.
"Working in partnership with the National Science + Engineering Competition, the Society's campaign videos have clocked-up nearly 100,000 views, and thousands have voted," the Society stated. "Comedians celebrated 11 of Mother Nature's most aesthetically-challenged beasts, with celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Simon Pegg tweeting their support for their favourite unsightly animals."
The blobfish is native to the waters off the coasts of mainland Australia and Tasmania. According to multiple reports, the animal is rarely seen by humans.
Maybe the squishy-looking fish is camera shy?
Anyway, the Blobfish lives at depths of between 600 and 1,200 meters where the pressure is much higher than at sea level and can grow up to 12 inches in length. The animal eats crabs and lobsters living at the same depth.
Paul Foot (Never mind the Buzzcocks) - supported the blobfish. In his campaign video, he explained why he has a soft spot for this gelatinous blob...
"I support the ugly animal campaign, there are too many people trying to save cute animals. They get all the press, and all the attention," scientist, broadcaster and ugly animal supporter Professor Brian Cox Ugly said in a news release. "Animals are more deserving than cute animals. So I think it is a superb campaign."
The "ugliest animal" project is aimed to encourage more conservation projects for endangered animals.
