Top 10 Most Bizarre Deep Sea Creatures Ever Discovered

Summary

The video script delves into the mysterious and unexplored depths of the ocean, highlighting the bizarre and alien-like deep-sea creatures that inhabit these regions. From the flapjack octopus with its gelatinous body to the monstrous gulper eel with its蛇-like jaws, the script explores a range of creatures, each more extraordinary than the last. It also touches on the unique adaptations these beings have developed to survive in the crushing darkness and pressure of the deep sea, painting a vivid picture of a world that is as terrifying as it is fascinating.

Takeaways

• 🌊 95% of the world's waters remain unexplored, with the deepest parts of the ocean being particularly challenging to study due to biological and engineering obstacles.
• 🐙 The deep sea is home to bizarre octopuses with unique adaptations, such as the flapjack octopus with its small, gelatinous body, and the casper octopus known for its ghostly appearance and dedication to guarding eggs.
• 🐡 The anglerfish, famous for its wide jaws and bioluminescent lure, has a unique mating process where males fuse to females for life, providing a constant supply of sperm.
• 🐟 The viperfish and deep-sea dragonfishes are other deep-sea predators with large mouths and bioluminescent lures, the latter capable of emitting both blue and red light.
• 🐠 The pelican flounder adapts to deep-sea pressures by being extremely flat, and its larvae have an otherworldly appearance, similar to comb jellies.
• 🦂 Deep-sea crustaceans like giant isopods and amphipods exhibit large sizes and alien-like appearances, adapted to the cold, deep environments.
• 🦀 The Japanese spider crab and hoff crab are examples of deep-sea crabs with unusual features, such as extremely long legs and a hairy chest resembling David Hasselhoff.
• 🦑 The colossal squid is one of the largest invertebrates, with some individuals being twice the size of a human, and is rarely seen in its natural habitat.
• 🕸 The harp sponge, despite its seemingly harmless appearance, actively hunts its prey using Velcro-like hooks and engulfs them for digestion.
• 🐸 The sea toad, with its flattened body and tiny legs, is an ambush predator that waits patiently for its prey, much like the anglerfish.

Q & A

What percentage of the world's waters is said to be unexplored?

It is said that 95% of all the waters in the world remain unexplored.

What are some of the challenges faced when exploring the deepest parts of the ocean?

Exploring the deepest parts of the ocean poses biological and engineering challenges, making it difficult to access.

What is unique about the flapjack octopus compared to regular octopuses?

The flapjack octopus is unique due to its tiny size, gelatinous body, almost adorable build, and eyes that sparkle with curiosity, differentiating it from the more grotesque and extended build of an ordinary octopus.

What is the unusual behavior of the casper octopus when it comes to reproduction?

The casper octopus lays its eggs on the stalk of dead sea sponges and guards them to the death, wrapping itself around the sponge without leaving or feeding until it dies.

How deep can the dumbo octopus thrive?

The dumbo octopus can thrive at depths as deep as 7,000 meters below sea level.

What is the unique hunting method of the anglerfish?

The anglerfish uses a luminescent appendage coming out of its head to lure prey close to its mouth.

How does the mating process of male anglerfish differ from other species?

Male anglerfish, once they find a female through pheromones, bite onto her and fuse onto her, getting nutrients from her and being ready to reproduce on-demand.

What is the special feature of deep-sea dragonfishes that allows them to stealthily illuminate their prey?

Deep-sea dragonfishes can produce both blue and red light using organs called photophores located in front of their eyes, allowing them to stealthily illuminate their prey.

How does the pelican flounder adapt to the crushing pressure levels of the deep sea?

The pelican flounder adapts to the crushing pressure levels by making itself as flat and flexible as biologically possible.

What are some of the characteristics of giant isopods that make them appear alien-like?

Giant isopods have an extra-terrestrial form and size, resembling mutated lice, and are more scavengers than active hunters, thriving in colder deeper environments.

What is the record held by the Japanese spider crab?

The Japanese spider crab holds the record for the longest-legged crab and is also the longest-legged arthropod ever, being able to grow up to around five meters long.

How does the vampire squid differ from other deep-sea squids?

The vampire squid has a transitional body that is classified as a split between a squid and an octopus, with a cape-like webbing and spine-studded tentacles, and it is a particulate scavenger.

What is the unique feeding mechanism of the harp sponge?

The harp sponge actively seeks its prey by snagging its victim with Velcro-like hooks and then completely envelops and digests it.

What is the appearance of the sea toad and how does it hunt?

The sea toad has a flattened body with tiny legs and is an ambush predator, lurking and waiting for its hapless victim to become sustenance.

How long can deep-sea siphonophores get and how do they prey on smaller animals?

Deep-sea siphonophores can get as long or even longer than a blue whale, making them some of the longest animals in the world, and they prey on smaller animals using stinging cells.

What is the most defining trait of the gulper eel and how does it use it for hunting?

The gulper eel has a huge mouth that can extend and snap like a snake, allowing it to consume prey that a creature of its size would not normally be able to swallow.