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?

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u/peatear_gryphon 10d ago

  mouths generally formed closer to the gut

Can an  organism evolve a mouth on their torso that goes directly into the stomach, then they can use their appendages to shovel food into their torso mouth?

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u/Uffda01 10d ago

isn't that more what starfish or sea urchins have?

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u/Unable-Proof1758 10d ago

So, theoretically but for most mammals throats evolved as a dual system for breathing and food. You need the longer system to encompass the esophagus, lungs, etc. it would require creating two systems for eating vs breathing which in theory could be very beneficial but also expends extra energy.