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Parrotfish hides from sharks

Via Sploid.gizmodo.com

Got a case of the Monday blues? At least you’re not being hunted by sharks.

A GIF of a parrotfish hiding from a swarm of sharks is going viral today.

The clip, which originated from Yann Arthus-Bertrand’s 2012 award-winning film Planet Ocean, shows the bright blue fish hiding motionless against coral as sharks swim overhead.

While other species blend into their surroundings using camouflage, the brilliant-hued parrotfish manages to go undetected simply by not moving — and, in some cases, by hiding its scent.

“Parrotfish have the ability to form a forcefield of sorts by excreting a mucus cocoon to hide its scent,” wrote Sploid’s Casey Chan.

(Here’s a photo of a parrotfish sleeping in its mucus bubble.)

Scientists believe the cocoon also acts as a warning system, allowing the parrotfish time to flee predators after the membrane is disturbed by lurking predators.

Want more? (Mondays are for procrastinating, after all.) Watch the entire film below. Or just check out the hiding-parrotfish scene in context at the 26:40 mark.

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