The deepest point of the Earth’s oceans lies within the Mariana Trench, located 35,840 feet below the surface, or approximately seven miles. Hard to imagine, the deep sea is host to all kinds of life that actually thrive in this environment. Hydrothermal vents found on the deep sea floor provide materials rich in minerals and nutrients to sustain many species, from microscopic bacteria to ancient pelagic beasts. While there might not be much for us to see at a glance, we have only just begun to understand the deep sea ecosystems and their inhabitants. Check out these otherworldly creatures found right near the bottom of our own oceans!
The giant isopod is like any other isopod in every respect, save one: its colossal size compared to its other family members. This creature dwells in depths of 300-700 meters, but has been observed as deep as 2200 meters. The giant isopod can grow to be over a foot in length, and sustains itself by scavenging the carcasses of whales, squid, and other animals. These crustaceans have remained largely unchanged for more than 130 million years.
The poor blobfish has the distinction of being far too easy a target for such an unimaginative name. Despite sporting a most unusual look, the blobfish is in danger of extinction due to deep sea commercial fishing and the blobfish’s inherent lack of defense mechanisms. The blobfish dwells at depths of 800 meters or more, and its body is comprised of a gelatinous mass slightly less dense than seawater, allowing it to hover just above the seafloor, ingesting food as it drifts by.
The giant Japanese spider crab is the stuff nightmares are made of. Although this crab poses no threat to humans, its impressive size and leg span are enough to give anyone the chills. These crabs can grow to weigh over 40 lbs, with a leg span of 12 feet or more. Japanese spider crabs are seafloor scavengers, preferring to stay at depths of 200 meters or more. Females will lay their eggs in waters as shallow as 50 meters. They are thought to have a life span of about 100 years.
The frilled shark is a most unique animal, looking almost nothing like the sharks we are familiar with today. That is because the frilled shark is the only type of this ancient species left on Earth today. It has some resemblance to the characteristic head features of a shark, but its body descends into a shape like that of an eel, and scientists know very little about it. It can dwell in depths anywhere from 50-1500 meters, and preys on other shark species, squid, and deep sea fish.
The deep sea gulper eel is a bit different than its cousins across the pond in that it is made for the deep. Its mouth is shaped so that it can take fish larger than its own body in, but landing fish isn’t that easy. Because of the peculiar body shape of the gulper eel, it is not an efficient swimmer. To combat this, the gulper eel has a bioluminescent photophore on the tip of its whip-like tail that attracts unsuspecting fish into its awaiting jaws. Gulper eels can be found in nearly all the world’s oceans, sometimes plummeting to depths of over 3,000 meters.
