These deep sea discoveries will freak you out! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting what sound like the coolest new metal band names, but is actually a list of unsettling creatures scientists have discovered in the dark ocean depths.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Quick as a flash, the stonefish gets a snack.
00:06Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down what sound like the coolest new metal band
00:11names, but is actually a list of unsettling creatures scientists have discovered in the
00:15dark ocean depths. It lowers the bottom jaw and then the whole mechanism shoots forward.
00:21It manages to spear whatever prey it's after.
00:2510. Vampire Squid
00:42Vampyroteuthis infernalis dwells in the shadowy ocean depths. It's actually neither a true squid
00:48nor a vampire, but shares characteristics with both squids and octopuses. This cephalopod boasts a
00:54dark, velvety mantle and large, globular eyes that shine red or blue depending on the light.
01:00Its eight arms are connected by a webbed cloak, adorned with bioluminescent photophores that can
01:05emit light to confuse predators or lure prey. Unique among deep-sea dwellers, it feeds primarily
01:17on marine snow, organic debris falling from upper waters, making it a detritivore. The vampire
01:24squid's ability to thrive in such inhospitable environments highlights its remarkable evolutionary
01:30adaptations. It has a unique ability to react when it is startled. It can curl its web and arms
01:36around the rest of its body, turning sort of inside out. 9. Blobsculpin
01:45Cycroluteus frictus is a notably peculiar fish found in the depths along the U.S. West Coast.
01:50With its gelatinous, blob-like appearance, it bears a striking resemblance to the alien entity
01:55in the horror movie The Blob. This fish's unique morphology allows it to withstand the immense
02:07pressure of the deep sea. Its diet likely consists of small invertebrates found on the ocean floor,
02:13captured through a method of indiscriminate trawling that often brings it into contact
02:17with commercial fishing operations that target species like crabs. The Blobsculpin's unusual form
02:22makes it particularly interesting for researchers studying the adaptations of organisms to extreme
02:27conditions. 8. Sea Pigs
02:39Belonging to the genus scotoplanes, sea pigs are a unique type of sea cucumber. These creatures
02:45are characterized by their plump, pinkish appearance and several leg-like appendages
02:49that facilitate movement across the ocean floor. They are commonly found in large groups,
02:54sometimes numbering in the hundreds, as they scavenge for organic particles in the deep sea
02:59mud. They play a crucial role in the ecosystem by recycling nutrients and supporting the abyssal food
03:05web. Despite their cool name, sea pigs are invertebrates and have little in common with
03:10terrestrial pigs, aside from their somewhat rounded body shape. 7. Goblin Shark
03:23Mitsukurina austini is a rare species of deep sea shark with a distinctive and somewhat eerie
03:28appearance. This shark is immediately recognizable by its protruding snout, which is much longer than
03:34those of other shark species, and its jaw, which can extend and retract when capturing prey.
03:41The goblin shark's coloration is a pale, ghostly pink, adding to its otherworldly appearance.
03:54Typically found at depths greater than 3,000 feet, the goblin shark's habitat is far removed
03:59from human activity, contributing to its mystique and the relative lack of encounters with this
04:03elusive creature. Its diet likely consists of deep sea fish encephalopods, which it snags
04:09using that unique jaw mechanism. Goblin shark? More like goblin shark, right? 6. Proboscis Worm
04:30This wacky worm, scientifically named Parbelasia corrigatus,
04:34is a large and predatory species of ribbon worm found in the cold deep sea environments.
04:39These worms can reach lengths of up to six feet, making them one of the more sizable and
04:43unsettling inhabitants of the ocean floor. The proboscis worm is decidedly striking with its
04:48elongated body and, duh, proboscis, a unique feeding appendage that it uses to capture
04:54and consume a wide variety of prey, from small invertebrates to decaying matter on the seafloor.
04:59This worm's scavenging behavior is crucial for nutrient recycling within the ecosystem.
05:04Remarkably adaptable, proboscis worms are known for their resilience in the face of
05:08the deep sea's harsh conditions, including low temperatures and high pressures.
05:175. Zombie Worms
05:26You wanted more worms, you got more worms. Osedax roseus are a particularly fascinating
05:31species of organism that chow down in a very useful way, by feeding on the bones of dead whales.
05:38These are certainly not your garden variety earthworms. These lack a mouth, gut, and anus,
05:44and instead rely on a unique method of nutrition.
05:53They secrete an acid that dissolves the bone, allowing them to access the nutrients within.
05:58Mmm, delicious. Symbiotic bacteria living inside the worms then help digest the fat
06:03from the whale bones, providing nourishment. The discovery of zombie worms has provided
06:08many valuable insights into the decomposition of large marine vertebrates and the complex
06:12food webs of the ocean. From 2004 until 2008, the scientists sunk five dead whales into the canyon
06:19to learn more about these worms.
06:24Its warty, bumpy skin is nearly indistinguishable from the sand and coral surrounding it.
06:30It's an amazing adaptation.
06:32Synansia varicosa is recognized as the most venomous fish in the world,
06:37a title that underscores its danger to both its prey and unwary humans.
06:41And it's sneaky, too. It possesses the ability to camouflage itself perfectly among rocks and
06:46coral reefs due to its mottled, stone-like appearance. It's equipped with 13 venomous
06:51spines along its dorsal surface, which can inject a potent venom capable of causing severe pain
06:56and, in extreme cases, death to humans within a few hours if not treated.
07:02Stonefish are primarily found in the shallow, tropical marine waters of the Pacific and Indian
07:14oceans. Their ability to blend into their surroundings not only serves as a defense
07:18mechanism but also aids in ambushing prey.
07:22Their true weapon is speed.
07:26High-speed cameras are needed to properly see their attacks.
07:32Chaleotis slonii is yet another deep-sea predator known for its fearsome appearance
07:37and remarkable hunting strategy. This fish is characterized by its metallic blue or silver
07:42color, elongated body, and large mouth equipped with fang-like teeth that are disproportionately
07:47large compared to its size. Slon's viperfish typically grows to less than a foot in length,
07:52but its teeth can be more than half the size of its head, enabling it to impale and secure
07:57its prey effectively. Teeth are so large that they do not fit inside the mouth and instead
08:01pass outside the head, close to the eyes. Found in the twilight zone of the ocean,
08:06it uses bioluminescence to attract prey in the dark waters. The light organs, or photophores,
08:12along its body can also serve as camouflage, breaking up its outline from below.
08:20They're thought to be found worldwide and are a really, really great example of deep-sea gigantism.
08:26Bathynomus giganteus kind of resembles oversized versions of the more familiar terrestrial
08:31isopods, such as pill bugs. These creatures can grow to lengths of up to 14 inches,
08:36making them one of the largest isopods in existence. They inhabit the cold,
08:40dark depths of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, where they lead a predominantly
08:45scavenging lifestyle. Their diet mainly consists of dead fish, squid, and whales,
08:50but they're also capable of preying on slow-moving or sedentary animals. The giant isopod's robust,
08:56segmented exoskeleton offers protection against the extreme pressure of the deep-sea environment,
09:01while its compound eyes are adapted to the low-light conditions.
09:04Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified
09:09about our latest videos. You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
09:14If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
09:21Number 1. Frilled Shark
09:22Here in the middle layer of the ocean, slithers one of the shark world's most unusual species.
09:30Chlamydicillacus anguinius may sound like something you don't want to hear as a diagnosis,
09:35but is actually a quite enigmatic creature. It's often described as a living fossil due to
09:40its primitive features that are somewhat reminiscent of sharks from the time of the
09:43dinosaurs. This elongated, eel-like species is characterized by its serpentine body,
09:48fringed with gills, and a mouth filled with 300 trident-shaped teeth arranged in 25 rows.
09:55Its unique dentition is perfectly adapted for snaring soft-bodied prey like squid and fish.
10:00Rarely seen, it inhabits the depths of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans,
10:04usually below 3,500 feet. The frilly shark's reproductive habits are also unusual,
10:09with long gestation periods that can last up to two years, one of the longest known among vertebrates.
10:23Which of these deep-sea discoveries do you find the most amazing? Let us know in the comments!
10:28Check out these other clips from WatchMojo, and be sure to subscribe and ring the bell
10:32to be notified about our latest videos.