The ocean is full of mysteries and wonders that we have yet to discover. Beneath the surface of the water, there are countless species of marine creatures that are strange, beautiful, and downright weird. In this article, we'll explore ten of the most bizarre creatures that you won't believe exist in the ocean.
1. Goblin Shark
The Goblin Shark is a deep-sea creature that has a long protruding snout with a jaw full of needle-like teeth. It's an ambush predator that can extend its jaw to snap up prey from a distance.
2. Peanut Worms
Peanut Worms are long, thin creatures that resemble small peanuts. They live in shallow waters and can retract their body into their protective tube when threatened. Their scientific name is derived from their elongated, tubular shape, resembling the shape of a peanut.
3. Vampyroteuthis Infernalis
Vampyroteuthis Infernalis, or the Vampire Squid, is a deep-sea creature that has earned its name due to its dark red color and glowing eyes. Though it sounds intimidating, the Vampire Squid is actually a harmless creature that feeds primarily on marine snow, small crustaceans and other small squids.
4. Bobbit Worms
Bobbit Worms are ambush predators with a powerful jaw that can slice through prey. They bury themselves in sand or gravel and wait for their prey to swim overhead before launching a lightning-fast attack. Due to their formidable appearance and predatory nature, they're sometimes called the 'terror of the reef'.
5. Glass Squid
The Glass Squid is an ethereal creature that is almost entirely transparent. They can be found at depths of 200-1000 meters and can quickly change their color and opacity in response to light levels to hide from predators.
6. Dumbo Octopus
The Dumbo Octopus is named for its large, ear-like fins that resemble the cartoon elephant. They swim by flapping these fins and are found at depths of up to 13,100 feet. They are a popular subject of study due to their unique appearance.
7. Yeti Crab
The Yeti Crab is a crustacean with furry white claws that resemble the fur of the yeti, hence its name. They live near hydrothermal vents and are one of the few creatures on this list that are known to exist in only a handful of locations.
8. Sea Angels
Sea Angels are tiny creatures that resemble delicate, winged creatures more commonly found on land. They are marine snails that swim by flapping their wing-like appendages, and while they are small, they are important as a food source for larger marine creatures.
9. Barreleye Fish
The Barreleye Fish is one of the strangest looking fish in the ocean. It has a transparent head that allows it to see in any direction, and its telescope-like eyes can rotate in their sockets to track prey. It's found in deep sea environments up to 2,000 meters below the surface.
10. Sarcastic Fringehead
The Sarcastic Fringehead is a small fish with an intimidating territorial display. They live in burrows and will extend their large mouths and frilly gills at any creature that trespasses on their space. While they won't cause any harm to humans, it's best to keep your distance from these aggressive little fish.
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