![]() Though blue-ringed octopuses make vibrant blue rings appear on their bodies when threatened, this is not actually bioluminescence but the result of specialised cells called chromatophores and iridophores. There are only a few octopuses that are known to use bioluminescence, these include Japatella and Stauroteuthis syrtensis, which have bioluminescent suckers like Ursula. Bioluminescence is when organisms can create their own light, like glow worms do. In the live-action Little Mermaid, Ursula appears to have bright blue, bioluminescent suckers. ![]() In reality, tales of the kraken probably stemmed from people seeing washed-up giant squids and large octopuses that had been partly digested or started to rot. In her final battle, she grows to a massive size and sinks a ship while thrashing her enormous arms about. The kraken is an aggressive, mythical cephalopod capable of taking down ships and Ursula certainly seems to have been inspired by it. While sea serpents and mermaids have been present in folklore for hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the 2000s that someone came up with the term Caecelia for half-human, half-octopus creatures - not to be confused with caecilians, which are amphibians. Villainous Ursula has a human upper body and a collection of octopus arms instead of legs. ![]() In some ways these fish are closer in appearance to Flounder than the regal angelfish, as they have stripes that run only halfway down their sides. Not only was this species more commonly available in the aquarium trade at the time it also makes sense geographically. Given its US location, it’s possible the studio might have based Flounder on the Hawaiian sergeant, Abudefduf abdominalis. There’s some speculation that Flounder might have been inspired by the regal angelfish, Pygoplites diacanthus.īut there’s also the chance that Disney's animators might have actually been working from inspiration closer to home. Bright colours and eyespots can also help reef fish deter predators looking for a meal. The complex structure of a reef can help hide even the most brightly coloured fish. Fish that live on coral reefs tend to be more colourful than those that live in other habitats. So, what is he? Based on his bright colours alone, Flounder could be a reef fish. But in the original film, Flounder is not a flatfish and is mostly yellow with bright blue stripes.
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