Oceans constitute 71% of earth's surface. Interestingly, we managed to explore 5% of the oceans, leaving 95% of the oceans unexplored! And in the 5% of explored oceans, there is a mass variety of marine life. Some are cute, some are super dangerous and others, weird.
1. Headless chicken sea monster :
It is a rare deep sea creature, scientifically called 'Enypniastes eximia'. This 'roasted and headless chicken' looking creature was caught on the tape two times. Once, in the Gulf of Mexico and then near East Antarctica.
2. Dumbo octopus :
'Grimpoteuthis' is a cute sea creature who spends most of his life on the seafloor. They reside in deep and dark places of Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. He is called 'Dumbo' as he resembles the title character of a Disney's 1941 movie 'Dumbo'.
3. Axolotl :
Scientifically named 'Ambystoma mexicanum' and also known as the 'Mexican walking fish', is a neotenic salamander who is found mostly in lakes of Mexico. Sadly, because of increasing pressure over Mexico City, these rare amphibians are going towards extinction.
4. Glass squid :
These alien-looking creatures vary from 10cm to 3m in size and many of their species are bioluminescent. Scientists call them 'Cranchiidae' and these are usually found in the deep sea regions.
5. Sea pen :
'Pennatulacea' can be found in tropical and temperate waters, under the depths of 6100m. They are sold commercially too but they are way too expensive and have special food requirements.
6. Blue Glaucus :
'Glaucus atlanticus' is a sea slug. They feed on poisonous animals and their stings are dangerous to humans as well. They are found in warm coastal areas of India, Peru, South Africa, California, Australia, European waters and Bermuda. They can visit the shores by getting carried away through water currents.
7. Fan worm :
As scientists call them, 'Sabellastarte' are sea worms, commonly found on ocean beds. They have many species and are found around the world.
8. Long-spine porcupine fish :
'Diodon holocanthus' are found over the muddy sea bottom, in estuaries, in lagoons or on coral and rocky reefs around the world in tropical and subtropical seas. These are pale in colour with black blotches and spots.
9. Blobfish :
Homes of 'Psychrolutes marcidus' are the coasts of Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand. These are smooth-headed deep sea fish, typically of 30cm.
10. Vampire squid :
Scientifically named 'Vampyrotuethis infernalis', unlike his name, eats particles called 'marine snow'. They reside in dark, low-oxygenated waters of tropical and temperate regions. They are not dangerous for humans as they kill only tiny jelly species.
Some of these may be dangerous, while others just look so adorable. But one thing is common, since they live in the deep sea and we are unaware of their strengths, these creatures may possess harm to us. Hopefully, as we continue to discover unexplored ocean areas, we get to see more ad more creatures like these.
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