Critter of the Week: Deepwater Burrfish Harriet Smith

Nicola Toki chats to Emile this week's critter of the week - the deepwater burrfish harriet smith. The deepwater burrfish (Allomycterus pilatus), or kopuwaitotara, is an unusual deep-sea porcupinefish found in New Zealand and Australian waters. Covered in short spines and equipped with large eyes for life in dim depths, it can inflate its body to several times its normal size when threatened, making it difficult for predators to swallow. Despite being regularly washed up on beaches, relatively little is known about its population, biology or conservation status.