Animals with big lips may be one of the most fascinating species to observe in the wild. Lips are the soft and fleshy parts of mouths found in almost all living species.
This allows many animals to survive by allowing them to eat, drink, and communicate with other members of their family. This body part also helps in the formation of words or sounds by shaping sound waves into distinguishable noises.
In this article, we’ll learn about some animals with larger lips than others and how it helps them survive.
11 Animals with big lips
1. Humphead wrasse
Scientific Name: Cheilinus undulatus
The Humphead wrasse is a fish found in the Indo-Pacific region’s reefs and ocean floor. They’re typically found in waters 3 to 330 feet deep, but have been known to swim into shallower water, particularly when young.
This fish is one of the largest known, reaching more than six feet long. It feeds on crustaceans, mollusks, and other hard-shelled species.
The Humphead wrasse is also distinguished by its large lips and prominent forehead bulge. The fish uses its lips to grab its prey from the ocean floor easily.
2. Camel
Scientific Name: Camelus dromedarius
Camels are large mammals that live in deserts. They’re distinguished by their large humps, which enable them to store fat and energy when food is scarce. Camels are herbivores whose large lips allow them to eat thorny plants that other animals can’t.
The camel has distinct characteristics that aid in its survival in the desert. Their thick coat of fur allows them to withstand high temperatures and stay cool in the desert heat. Camels live in herds, with one male in charge and several females trailing behind.
3. Big-lip damselfish
Scientific Name: Cheiloprion labiatus
A big-lip damselfish is a type of fish that’s found in the ocean. You can find these fish in shallow water and coral beds in the eastern Indian and southwestern Pacific oceans.
It has a large mouth and a large lip for catching food. Their lips are used to filter prey, such as crabs and worms, that enter their mouth.
This feature also protects them from sharp corals, which are abundant in their environment. When fully grown, big-lip damselfish can reach lengths of up to 3 inches.
4. Red-lipped Batfish
Scientific Name: Ogcocephalus darwini
The red-lipped batfish is a fish that lives on the ocean floor, usually on the sandy bottom of reefs. They primarily eat crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish found in their environment.
The red-lipped batfish stands out thanks to its unusual appearance and large lips, which are actually used to attract other members of its own species. This is very useful for them, especially during the breeding season. They also have flat bodies and fins that allow them to walk on the ocean floor rather than swim.
5. Hippopotamus
Scientific Name: Hippopotamus amphibius
Hippos are semi-aquatic mammals from Africa. They spend the majority of their time in the water or mud, but these large animals will occasionally venture onto land to graze on grass. Hippos are also herbivores, which means they eat only plants.
These animals are distinguished by their enormous size and large mouth, which includes their lips. They have 2-foot-long lips and can open their mouths up to 4 feet wide.
In addition, they have barrel-shaped bodies, short legs, and short tails. Hippopotamuses can grow up to 5 meters in length and weigh up to two tons.
6. Beluga Whales
Scientific Name: Delphinapterus leucas
Beluga Whales are a type of whale that lives in the Arctic. They can be found in the waters around Greenland and Russia, with smaller populations in Alaska, Canada, and Norway.
These whales have recognizable globular heads that they use for echolocation to locate food. They’re also one of the smallest whales, growing up to about 30 feet long and weighing up to 1.7 tons.
Beluga whales feed on fish, shrimp, and invertebrates such as squid. Aside from catching foods, their large lips allow them to modify their sounds by changing the shape of their lips.
7. Flowerhorns
Scientific Name: Amphilophus citrinellus
Flowerhorns are a type of fish that wasn’t natural in the wild. They were developed by fish breeders from Southeast Asia and became popular pets for fish enthusiasts. These fish have striking colors and distinctive patterns on their skin, making them very attractive.
Their diet consists primarily of plants, insects, fish, and shrimp. Flowerhorns are named after their protruding heads, which they inherited from the fish breeds from which they developed. These fish also have large lips that help them get food into their mouths.
8. Snub-nosed monkeys
Scientific Name: Rhinopithecus roxellana
Snub-nosed monkeys are a type of monkey found in China’s mountain ranges. These monkeys are arboreal primates and are seen in forests with elevations of 5,200 to 13,000 feet, but during the winter season, they’re found in lower elevations.
One of this monkey’s most distinguishing features is its snub nose, which scientists believe helps protect them from freezing temperatures. They also have large lips that turn red with age and are essential for hierarchy and mate attraction.
9. Triggerfish
Scientific Name: Balistes capriscus
Triggerfish are marine fish with large lips that live in shallow and coastal environments all over the world. They’re named after their ability to use the spines on their dorsal fins to deter other animals that may cause them harm. These coastal fishes also have a human-like mouths with teeth and large lips that are used for crushing the shells of small crustaceans and other invertebrates that are part of their diet.
Triggerfish are typically brightly colored, with stripes or spots running across their bodies. They can reach 28 inches in length and weigh up to 13 pounds.
10. Orangutans
Scientific Name: Pongo pygmaeus
Orangutans are a species of great apes. They spend the majority of their time climbing trees in the rainforests of Sumatra and Borneo. These primates are primarily herbivores, but they also eat insects and occasionally meat.
This animal is distinguished by its reddish-brown coat, which helps it blend into the forest canopy. Orangutans are typically semi-solitary animals that can be seen alone or in groups to socialize and breed.
11. Giant grouper
Scientific Name: Epinephelus lanceolatus
The Giant grouper is a large fish found in the ocean, primarily in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans. They can grow to be 9.8 feet long and live at depths ranging from 3.3 to 328.1 feet.
These fish prefer to be alone and will defend their territory with their thick and large body. Turtles, lobsters, fish, stingrays, and crustaceans make up most of their diet. Giant groupers also use their big lips to eat their prey from the bottom of the ocean floor.
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