5 Eerie Creatures of the Deep Sea
The deep sea is a world as mysterious as outer space, yet it's right here on our own planet. Past the point where sunlight reaches, it’s home to elusive creatures with glowing, bizarre and sometimes gigantic features. Here are some of the ocean's most mysterious inhabitants that thrive in the pitch-black abyss, often inspiring myths and legends when they emerge in rare sightings.
COLOSSAL SQUID
Colossal Squid preserved in Wellington's Te Papa Museum
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Likely to have played a role in shaping the myth of the Kraken, the Colossal Squid is one of the true giants of the deep sea, measuring up to 46 feet in length and weighing over 1100 pounds. Its enormous eyes help it see in the darkness, and its powerful tentacles with rotating hooks are nightmare fuel for many sea creatures. Despite its immense size, our understanding of the colossal squid remains limited, with only a handful of specimens studied.
OARFISH
Image from Wikimedia Commons
The Oarfish is a real-life sea serpent, reaching lengths of up to 17 meters. This rare, ribbon-like fish is a mystery of the deep sea that sometimes wanders to the surface. In Japanese folklore, it is known as "Messenger from the Sea God's Palace," believed to be a sign of impending earthquakes or tsunamis.
GLASS OCTOPUS
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Living in the dark depth of 3,000 feet below the surface, the Glass Octopus has a luminescent and transparent body. This fragile-looking creature is one of the least understood creatures of the sea.
DRAGONFISH
Image from Wikimedia Commons
The dragonfish glows in the dark to lure prey, shining a bright light in the deep darkness, revealing its sharp teeth. It’s a predator with a terrifying appearance that can send chills down your spine just by looking at its photo. However, they’re not as large and imposing as you’d imagine, reaching about 2 feet in length.
CHIMAERA
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Also known as ghost sharks, Chimaeras are mysterious, deep-sea fish that use electrical sensors to hunt in the dark, murky depths. The body has a dark bluish-black color, with lighter spots that make it look like it's been patched or stitched together.
Check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s10 minutes of fascinating deep-sea animals to discover the incredible diversity of life lurking in the depths!
Written by Minh H Pham
