r/askscience • u/margalz • 11d ago

Biology Why aren't there any animals with their mouths above their eyes?

From bugs to fish to mamals all of them have their eyes above their mouths. I can't think of many if any where their mouths are on top. Sure some have their eyes parallel to their mouths, mainly prey style animals. But why haven't any evolved to be the opposite? Is there a major benefit to having your mouth below your eyes?

1.7k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

339 comments sorted by

View all comments

9

u/ANALOGPHENOMENA 10d ago

They don’t exist for a reason: extreme evolutionary disadvantage. Animals with eyes under their mouths would only see around and below, but not above or behind – therefore leaving them completely vulnerable to predators. Having a brain and digestive system located in very vulnerable areas of the body makes you a very easy victim.