The Scariest Monsters of the Deep Sea
We took the spook-tacular celebration to the depths of the ocean, where some of the craziest—and scariest—looking creatures lurk in the dark.
- By Emily G. Frost and Hannah Waters
- October 30, 2012, Subscribe
 |
Learn more about the ocean from the Smithsonian's Ocean Portal. |
1 of 11
| Next »»
(Ocean Portal / David Shale)
Red Octopus (Stauroteuthis syrtensis)
This red octopus is eerily beautiful. Found in the deep Atlantic waters off the U.S. Coast, the eight arms of Stauroteuthis syrtensis are connected by webbing that it uses to swim. Rows of glowing bioluminescent suckers trail down its eight arms and glow in the deep-sea. Scientists think these glow-in-the-dark suckers may be used to attract planktonic prey like insects drawn to a light. The species has been recognized for at least 100 years, but it wasn't until 1999 that scientists realized it glowed.
1 of 11
| Next »»
Comments (14)
THIS IS SO COOL AND GROSS!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Lesly, Kiara, Ashley, Kristena on May 13,2013 | 11:18 AM
this is so disgusting but awsome!!!!
Posted by lesly on May 13,2013 | 10:57 AM
awesome pic
Posted by alex on May 10,2013 | 03:21 PM
How large are these critters? How long do they live? Reproduction? Any information on life cycle? (And for Alan Trower: chicken.)
Posted by TuffsNotEnuff on April 2,2013 | 06:59 AM
What is that thing it is just sooo cool what is it called
Posted by gypsy-lee on February 6,2013 | 07:48 AM
Yay! Science is da bomb!
Posted by Kevin on January 10,2013 | 10:04 PM
Also known as boneworms, they live at 9,194 feet. First discovered in 2002, they depend largely on migrating gray whales. When the dead whales decompose, they will feed on the bones. A truly unique ecosystem revolving around whales.
Posted by Tim Upham on December 23,2012 | 09:48 PM
Also known as scotoplanes, the live at depths of more than 1,000 meters. On the sea floor, they search for whale carcasses, and will root into them for food.
Posted by Tim Upham on December 23,2012 | 09:38 PM
Goblin sharks are only found at depths below 650 feet. That is the reason why they were not known until 1897, especially in the waters off Japan. That rostrum in front of its eyes, has electro-sensitive organs to find prey in the absence of light. So they are well adapted to life at great depths within the ocean.
Posted by Tim Upham on December 23,2012 | 07:33 PM
What do deep sea blob taste like?
Posted by alan trower on December 22,2012 | 07:35 PM
Yes!!!! there is a great many fish,The ocean is unexplained.It scares me just to look at it...I just thank all the people willing to reserch such a great expiditation ....I dont know....You all deserve a great amount of apprecication...Im talking about all the people who took the the time to reserch and find such mystry.
Posted by Pam Dovey on December 5,2012 | 09:49 PM
Yes!!!! there is a great many fish,The ocean is unexplained.It scares me just to look at it...I just thank all the people willing to reserch such a great expiditation ....I dont know....You all deserve a great amount of apprecication...Im talking about all the people who took the the time to reserch and find such mystry.
Posted by Pam Dovey on December 5,2012 | 09:49 PM
What a delightful treat for the ictheophile (if there is such a word). Nature is utterly amazing. But one does feel great compassion for the poor blob sculpin being hauled up & left to die in those barbarous fishing nets.
Posted by Victoria Aslan on November 3,2012 | 09:26 AM
Fantastic photos. I have always been fascinated by deep sea fish. They are so strange and scary looking!
Posted by Vika Braidner on October 31,2012 | 07:28 AM