Meet the 10 Strangest Creatures in the Deep Sea, Peculiar But Fascinating

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Challenger Deep is named as the deepest point of the ocean in the world. Situated beneath the western Pacific Ocean in the southern end of the Mariana Trench, it reaches 10,935 m of depth, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported.

Some might think that no living things inhabit the perpetual darkness of the deep. Well, it is not true. In fact, the deep sea is home to some of the most bizarre and mysterious creatures on Earth.

These creatures have evolved in ways that they can adapt to extreme environments where sunlight never penetrates, and food is often scarce. Now, let’s dive to the deep to discover some of the strangest deep sea creatures in the world.

List of the Strangest Creatures in the Deep Sea

Citing from Monterey Bay Aquarium, Live Science, and Discover Wildlife, here are some of the strangest creatures you can find in the deep sea:

1. Anglerfish

Anglerfish is such a classic. Known for its bioluminescent lure that dangles from its head, this predatory fish attracts prey in the darkness of the abyss.

Female anglerfish are larger in size than males. According to Monterey Bay Aquarium, male anglerfish often fuse themselves to the female, becoming little more than parasitic appendages, absorbing all nutrients from their partner.

2. Gulper Eel

Gulper eels are one of the strangest creatures dwelling in the deep sea. Often referred to as “pelican eel”, this nickname is aptly applied to the gulper eel due to its distinctive physical characteristics.

Gulper eels have large mouths and slender bodies allowing them to swallow prey of all sizes. These eels are typically found in the twilight zone (200 to 1,000 m in depth) and midnight zone (1,000 to 4,000 m in depth), Live Science reports.

3. Vampire Squid

Despite the name, this animal does not consume blood to retain its life. In fact, vampire squids are neither vampires nor squids.

Discover Wildlife reveals, vampire squids, scientifically named as Vampyroteuthis infernalis, are in their own cephalopod order. The sea creatures can easily be identified by their large eyes that often emit a bright blue color.

4. Giant Siphonophore

The giant siphonophore may be the strangest creature in the deep sea you can encounter. Stretching up to 40 m in length, this rope-like animal is more a colony than a single entity.

Because, Monterey Bay Aquarium explains, the giant siphonophore comprises several parts that perform specific functions, such as catching prey, digesting food, and regulating movement when swimming.

5. Giant Isopod

Giant isopods quite resemble the pillbugs on land. However, these strange deep sea creatures are a type of crustacean and, indeed, larger in size.

Can grow up to 40 cm, giant isopods are scavengers, feeding on dead fish or falling debris that sinks to the ocean floor. They occur in the Indo West Pacific and Western Atlantic ocean at 170–2,100 m deep.

6. Dumbo Octopus

While the vampire squid is a creature that seems straight out of a horror movie, dumbo octopus showcases an adorable feature. Named after Disney's Dumbo, Grimpoteuthis, its scientific name, has a pair of ear-like fins on its mantle that allows it to swim gracefully through the deep sea.

Dumbo octopus are quite small, measuring around 20 cm tall. It naturally inhabits the ocean floor at depths of over 2,900 to 3,900 m.

7. Goblin Shark

Goblin shark stands out for its long, protruding snout. Its most distinctive feature is its ability to thrust its jaw forward to capture prey.

Little is known about goblin sharks, but scientists say that they mostly prey on squids and crustaceans. To add, they're indeed deep sea predators with a depth range of up to 1,300 m.

8. Dragonfish

Another strange creature in the deep sea is dragonfish. Similar to anglerfish, male dragonfish are smaller than the females by default. Males only reach between 5 to 15 cm, whereas females can grow up to 50 cm.

Not to mention, dragonfish are bioluminescent, thanks to their light-producing organs called photophores, Live Science notes.

9. Sea Angel

Sea angels got their name from their muscular legs, which have evolved into wing-like appendages called parapodia. These body parts are highly reliable for it to flap around among the darkness of the deep sea.

Despite the name, these transparent-bodied animals are definitely not angels, but sea slugs. Apparently, they prey on Clione limacina, a species of shelled pteropods.

10. Bloodybelly Comb Jelly

Ending our list, let’s meet the bloodybelly comb jelly. It is bizarre, but stunningly beautiful. The bloody-belly comb jelly comes in different shades of red.

Its natural color actually helps it escape from predators. Since the color red turns dark in the deep, the bloody-belly comb jelly becomes nearly invisible to predators.

These ten examples are just a glimpse into the “alien” world that lies beneath the ocean's surface. On land, you can also encounter some of the most unique animals ever alive. Click the link to learn more.

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