The oceans of the world are filled with many diverse and sometimes unbelievable creatures. Many of these plants and animals live on or within the seabed, the bottom floor of the ocean. Whether they live in shallow areas or the deepest depths, marine creatures that dwell on the sea floor are some of the most fascinating on the planet. Here are just 5 of these wonderful creatures that are found on the seabed.
Tardigrade
One of the most interesting seabed creatures is the Tardigrade, more commonly called the moss piglet or the water bear. There are many different species of Tardigrades, and several are found on the sea floor. The largest Tardigrade species are 1 ½ millimeters long, barely visible to the eye. Amazingly, Tardigrades don’t mind freezing or boiling water temperatures. They can also go without water or food for years. They may completely shrivel up, but can rehydrate and go on living.
King Ragworm
Another fascinating sea floor creature is the king ragworm. King ragworms are large, flattish worms that can grow to four feet in length. These blue or purple worms have many segments, each with its own pair of legs, much like the terrestrial centipede. King ragworms burrow into the sand of the seabed, where they search out small items to eat.
Giant Clam
Many types of bivalves are also found on the seabed. Perhaps the most famous bivalve is the giant clam. These marine creatures have two massive, wrinkled shells that open and close with the aid of a strong internal muscle. Giant clams are impressive not only because they can grow to weigh over 400 pounds or can live for 100 years, but because they are often beautifully colored. Giant clams anchor themselves to the sea floor or to coral growing on the floor, and then open their shells to collect passing food.
Sea Squirt
Sea squirts, or tunicates, are another type of visually stunning marine creature. These invertebrates attach themselves to the sea floor and filter water to catch nutrients. There are hundreds of species of sea squirts, found all over the world. They are generally tubular in shape and can be found in many bright colors, including white, orange, red, green, purple, and blue.
Cumacean
Cumaceans are tiny crustaceans, often known as hooded shrimp due to their long, slender tails and rounded bodies. Many Cumacean species burrow into the seabed where they hunt for food. They are found around the world, in a variety of water temperatures and habitats. They usually grow to only about 1 centimeter or less in length.
