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18 Weird and Wonderful Sea Creatures You’ve Never Seen Before
Who would have thought sea creatures like this existed?
How many types of sea creatures can you name? Fish, lobster, shrimp, clams and oysters, seahorse, squid, octopus, jellyfish… well aside from the typical ones we are familiar with and actually eat, there are still lots more undiscovered, unnamed and unseen!
Some scientists say that only around 5% of the sea has been thoroughly explored. The overwhelming water pressure, darkness and temperature as we go deeper in the ocean and its ocean vents, present as major challenges to exploring the sea. But even if we have not been into the pinnacle of discovery, we have made quite some progress. The evidence to that is some of these recent and even old animal discoveries. Some of these are so bizarre-looking you might think they’re from a different planet altogether!
Fathead!
Nope we are not calling anyone names nor are we joking. This is the Psychrolutes microsporos, or as scientists call it, the Fathead (yeah scientists can be bullies right?). It is a fish, not an alien, and is mostly found in the deep sea abyss of Australia and New Zealand. They are found at a depth of 3000 feet and more!
The Dumbo Octopus
From Fatheads, we move on to Dumbos. There are around 14 species of Grimpotheutis octopuses or Dumbo octopus as they are called. They may look drastically different from one to another, but their common feature is that they resemble Dumbo the Elephant. Some have large flappy appendages that look like ears which they use for swimming, others have proboscis too.
The Vampire Squid
As if the nickname Vampire Squid is not scary enough, its scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis literally translates to Vampire squid of Hell. Even if it is named like this it does not actually feed on blood. It is given such name due to the rich brown-red color reminiscent of dried blood, and its red eyes.
Pink See-Through Fantasia
Some creatures have the misfortune of being called fatheads or vampires. The Enypniaste on the other hand has the misfortune of having a nickname that sounds like a sexy lingerie. Although its mystical fairy-like appearance may be the reason for its name. It is found 2,500 meters deep at the Celebes Sea.
Jeweled Umbrella Squid
If socialites are looking for a fancy pet from the sea, they can consider the elegant Histioteuthis bonnellii or Jeweled Umbrella Squid. It is widely distribute in the coasts of Argentina, South Africa and Tasmania. Other than its pretty appearance little is known about it whether it is deadly like its poisonous jellyfish cousins. That makes it truly a perfect pet for a beautiful poisonous woman 😛
Leafy Seadragon
The Phycodurus eques is a cousin to the seahorses. They are commonly found in Australia where they cleverly hide themselves from prey by drifting amongst seaweed and other sea plants as their camouflage.
More creatures for your fancy on the next page.
Maori Wrasse
Most aquatic animals have the ability to change their sex from male to female for reproduction. And the Maori Wrasse is one of those hermaphrodites. What makes it special though is that God must have taken extra time designing this species because no two Maori Wrasse has the same gill markings. Also look at that patterned scale and the color! Ugh so fabulous!
Sea Angel
Don’t be fooled by its angelic color and appearance, the Sea Angel or Platybrachium antarcticum is one skilled hunter. This shell-less snail can be found in the deep and frigid waters of the Antarctic Sea and hunts other snail species by darting past through the water catching them unawares.
Arctic Hydromedusa
From Antarctica, we go to the Arctic Sea and meet the Arctic Hydromedusa, one of the thriving creatures in the South Pole. Completely transparent, the anatomy of this creature is not yet well studied. It is found at a depth of 3,300 feet and more.
Marrus Orthocana
Its scientific name seems like a name for a secret move in arcade games that will unleash a rocket-like arrowhead! This creature is somewhere between a microscopic jellyfish (they are really really tiny and seem to be related to Portugues Man o’ War jellyfishes ) and earthworms (they have multiple segments and stomachs connected together). Yeah even scientists are not yet that sure.
Christmas Tree Worms
The ocean gods must be feeling festive when they made the Spirobranchus giganteus. It may look like its closely-related to sea anemones or seaweed, but it is actually a seaworm! It has a cylindrical body too with the “tree branch spindles” protrusions it uses for breathing and feeding. When threatened, it can withdraw its spindles to protect itself.
Axolotl
One of my personal favorites, the Axolotl is just one of the cutest new animals discovered. In fact they are so cute they are being collected as pets now! Check out this video:
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They are found in the coasts is found in Mexico. Scientists are interested in it since it seems to be a missing link between fishes and amphibians. Axolotl is really a walking fish. It also has very strong regenerative properties if you cut off its limbs or tail, but really who would do such cruelty to this cutie!
More on the last page
Terrible Claw Lobster
Well with claws nearly as long as its body, the Dinochelus ausubeli deserves its name as “terrible claw”. This is found in Australia but also very rarely as it has only been seen four times in history. Well its better we steer clear from its path or receive its terrible claw wrath!
Pycnogonid Sea Spider
Bad news for those who are afraid of spiders. If you thought you are safe from spiders in the sea, well you’re wrong as there are sea spiders, and they can grow even bigger than the spiders we know on land. One such specie is the Sea spider which can grow to 90 cm and more. It can be found in both shallow and deep waters of the Arctic, Antarctic, Mediterranean and Caribbean Sea.
Kiwa the God of Shellfish
Aside from its moniker as King of Shellfish, it is also called Yeti Crab due to its white appearance and the fur on its claws. Not that it is quite cold where it lives and it needs fur to cover up, but because this crab is pretty hardcore living off exothermal vents. Meaning those cracks on the ocean floor where hot water vapors and sometimes sulfur fountains shoot up. It also grows bacteria on its fur to detoxify its food.
Flamingo Tongue Snail
Ever thought of seeing a snail this flamboyantly colorful? But if you are keen on shell collecting, Cyphoma gibbosum is not for you, because surprise! Its shell is actually transparent. That yellow coloration? That is the snail’s body, weird huh?
Lizard Island Octopus
One of the curliest sea creatures you’ll see, this creature is found on Lizard Island along the Great Barrier Reef hence its name. Nothing special aside from its pretty appearance.
Well I hope this post has been fun for you too. Let’s just hope human activities and global warming doesn’t threaten these animals to extinction as well as other fascinating creatres that we have not even discovered yet!
Share this article to your kids or your friends, and let them learn the wonderful creatures of the sea!