Mola molas are weird. They’re goofy. They’re the antithesis of a sleek, scary ocean predator. They remind us that nature doesn’t care about being cool. It cares about what works, even if “what works” looks like a floating, barnacle-covered, jellyfish-gobbling, slightly confused door.
Plus, they’re a sign of a healthy ocean. They need lots of jellyfish, which need lots of plankton. If we see them, it means the food web is doing okay. So next time you see a photo of a mola mola with that dopey, thousand-yard stare, smile. You’re looking at a ridiculous, ancient, and perfect creature.
Now, go look up a video of one trying to swim. I promise you will laugh. Grab another coffee. And thank the ocean for giving us the mola mola, the fish that definitely heard you say something and is trying to figure out if you’re mad at it.
