Gulf Coast
Bingo

My striped black and white body’s got style

That flatters my fishy profile

And my big toothy grin

Looks distinctly human

The SHEEPSHEAD’s got an uncanny smile

I’m a talented crab and I know so

My instrument goes where’er I go

My claw waving display

Makes the lady crabs say

“FIDDLER CRAB’s such a grand virtuoso!”

Though hatchery-raised, I get out

In the bay I still carry some clout

Catch a “spec” on your line

For a mighty fine time

Local anglers love SPOTTED SEATROUT

I’m a rip-roarin toothy bay bruiser

From upriver to gulf, I’m a cruiser

I’ll let humans swim by

When a fat fish I spy

A BULL SHARK’s a deliberate chooser

As a missile I’m no good at all

I’d go splat were I launched at a wall

I’m a pacifist goo

I’m not gonna sting you

I’m a jelly! A fat CANNONBALL!

My tongue has got teeth, ain’t that swell?

And I walk on my stomach as well

I’m not extra-terrestrial

But I sure am sinestral

LIGHTNING WHELK has a left-swirling shell

My namesakes sing sweet songs so fair

But I grunt when I’m brought up for air

Catch me out in your boat

You’ll hear my croaky throat

A BIG HEADED SEA ROBIN is there!

I look like a seahorse but I’m linear

And my body is longer and skinnier

Our eggs hang with the dudes

They take care of the broods

Does that make the PIPEFISH patrilinear?

In bay waters we frolic quite often

We pin-wheel and leap and we backspin

My nose is not glass

Please do show some class

Just call me a BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

‘Twixt the marshes and gulf I have swum

Munching shrimp, crabs and other small scum

I’ll be known without fail

From the spot on my tail

Try to catch me coz I’m a RED DRUM

Like a kite on a blustery day

I flap through the water my way

There’s a spine on my tail

That’s as sharp as a nail

So don’t step on the poor COWNOSE RAY

They call me numbfish cause I’m shocking

Keep a keen eye out when you are walking

To avoid a kerfuffle

Walk the sand with a shuffle

So ELECTRIC RAY won’t leave you squawking

To swim forward I have to swim sidewise

And my cephlafoil spaces my eyes wide

I’m a strange looking guy

And as sharks go I’m shy

We’re endangered—let HAMMERHEADS just hide

When you’re tiny survival’s a hurdle

Padre island’s our place when we’re fertile

Keep your light off at night

While our babies take flight

The KEMP’S RIDLEY’S the smallest Sea Turtle

If you catch me you’ll have a delish dish

To savor when you’re feeling peckish

Add salt, pepper, and lemon

Pescatarian heaven!

RED SNAPPER is the Gulf’s prize game fish

When I’m scared I have quite a defense

I expand to extreme circumference

I contain neurotoxins

So eat me with caution

The SMOOTH PUFFER will cause no offense