Four Strange Ocean Animals

Humans are naturally drawn to things that are strange, animals, or phenomena that don’t play by the rules the rest of the world seems to follow. To discover and research these strange and abnormal things, there’s no better place to look than under the sea.  Without further ado, check out these four strange ocean animals!

Strange Ocean Animals That Will Make Your Jaw Drop

Oceans cover 75% of Earth’s surface, but it is estimated that as much as 95% of them haven’t yet been explored, meaning that there are potentially thousands of species that haven’t yet been discovered. In the amount of ocean that has been explored to this day, however, there are still plenty of unique animals and plants that have been discovered.  Here’s just a handful of our favorite strange ocean animals:

Kiwa Crab

Also called the “yeti crab”, “furry lobster”, or the “yeti lobster,” this unique, furry creature was discovered in 2005 in the Pacific Antarctic Ridge, south of Easter Island. The kiwa crabs live on hydrothermal vents at a depth of 7,200 feet. The creature was unlike anything that had ever been discovered before, so a new family was created altogether. The kiwa crab’s eyes have hardly any pigment and it is thought that the animal is completely blind. The hair and fur that covers the animal help it participate in chemosynthesis, which is the process of detoxifying water or bacteria, the crab’s main source of food, taking away dangerous minerals and substances that could potentially harm it. A lot is still unknown about the species, including how it survives in the hydrothermal ecosystem, but the crab fascinates humans mostly because of its furry exterior.

Pink See-Through Fantasia

A member of the sea cucumber family and dubbed the “pink see-through fantasia”, this animal was discovered thirteen years ago, living 8,200 feet deep in the Pacific Ocean, living between Indonesia and the Philippines. Appearing like a flower inside a pink plastic bag, the creature has completely transparent skin, allowing its mouth, organs, and intestines to be seen. Additionally, the pink see-through fantasia, its official name enypniastes eximia, is bioluminescent, which means that it is capable of producing light when it needs to ward off predators. The animal is able to swim because of its fingerlike webbing underneath its body. There is still so much to be discovered about the animal, but these creatures will forever be considered strange ocean animals for their see-through skin.

Dumbo Octopus

When one hears the word “Dumbo”, they often think of the happy, gray elephant from Disney with the big floppy ears. In this case, however, Dumbo refers to a species of octopus that can live as far deep as 23,000 feet under the sea, the deepest any octopus has been discovered to live. The species is quite small, with the average size estimated to be 20-30 centimeters in length, and they live in many waters of the world, including around New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, and even in the northwest and northeast coasts of the United States. The octopi have the ability to change colors and are referred to as the Dumbo octopus because of their large, ear-like flaps of skin on the sides of their head. The fins propel water away as the octopus swims, and are also used for stabilization and steering. The Dumbo octopus feed on creatures that live on the ocean floor, such as isopods, amphipods, and copepods. Dumbo octopuses are adored because of their cartoonish, cute appearance, as well as their unique fins that look like ears.

Goblin Shark

While some of the creatures on this list seem cute and gentle in appearance, the goblin shark is anything but. As can be seen in the video above, this animal is actually quite terrifying, with its long, flat nose protruding from its face, and many sharp teeth in its mouth, and it is very rare, as well. The shark lives 330 feet below sea and all over the world, having been found in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian oceans. Scientists believe that because the goblin sharks are slow and somewhat sluggish, they are ambush predators and tend to sneak up on their prey. To eat, the creature widens its mouth to make it easier for it to feed. The goblin shark’s nightmarish appearance fascinates people across the world and makes us all wonder as to what else could be lurking under the surface of the ocean. With the new technology that is becoming available and humans’ unwavering sense of curiosity, we just might find out.

Thirsty for more strange ocean animals?  Check out the video below!