Hagfish Day

Hagfish Day is celebrated on the third Wednesday of October, in 2022 the holiday fell on October 19th. On this day, the existence and importance of hagfish is celebrated – this is a wavy, slimy fish. It is often called the ugliest fish, but it is not the hagfish that plays a crucial role in the ecosystem and the balance of marine life.

History

In 2009, Hagfish Day was established by the WhaleTimes and has been celebrated every year since then. Mixins prefer to feed on dead or dying marine animals. They enter the body and eat it from the inside. But no matter how nasty hagfish may seem, it is important to maintain a balance in the ecosystem.

Each organism in nature has its own role, thanks to which the world functions as it should. Every creature on the planet matters, no matter their size or appearance. For example, if hagfish were to disappear, all the oceans and seas would be filled with the carcasses of dead marine life, and this would be followed by unsanitary conditions and a dangerous environment for the remaining animals.

Interesting facts

• hagfish are over 300 million years old;
• 100 million years ago, hagfish were categorized as vertebrates;
• hagfish are guided by smell and touch;
• in case of danger, hagfish secrete mucus to scare away a predator;
• there is a theory that they have 4 hearts;
• for the period of 2011, 20% of hagfish species were on the verge of extinction.

How to celebrate

On this day, try to explain to yourself and others the importance of the existence of such hagfish in the marine nature, try to demonstrate what would happen to the ocean without them. Go with friends or alone to the local aquarium and learn more about marine life there. On Hagfish Day it is important to make a donation to organizations working to protect marine animals. If possible, you can become a volunteer.

When is Hagfish Day celebrated in 2022?

Hagfish Day is observed on the third Wednesday of October each year.

Observations