THRIVING AGAINST THE ODDS

The Lipidic Muskrat surrounds itself with algae and toxic water. Their habitats are polluted with industrial waste and radiation. The lipidic muskrat gets its name from its coated fur and protective layer of blueish goo. The goo shields them from harmful toxins, helping them retain moisture from the increasingly arid surroundings. Despite their strange appearance, these resilient creatures thrive in their environment. Their sharp teeth allow them to feast on the abundance of toxic algae that now covers the stagnant waterways, and their webbed feet propel through the murky depths. At a first glance their lifeless appearance makes them unnoticeable, however their camouflaging nature allows them to blend into their surroundings. These animals live through extreme weather conditions, forcing them to seek shelter and hibernate when the weather decreases in temperature.

Using my underwater camera footage I was able to capture the massive catfish of Chernobyl who were once ten times smaller than their current size. These aquatic animals seem to be taking over entire reefs of small lakes. They are the rulers of their ecosystem.