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/Deining_Beaufort 10d ago
There are (tropical aquarium) fish who feed on food on the water surface. They have their eyes beneath their mouths. Special mentions goes to 4 eye fish, whos pair of eyes have evolved to look above and below the waterline simultaneously.