LURKING beneath the ocean’s surface are a host of terrifying creatures most humans will only see in their nightmares.
Yet, new research has revealed that scientists have observed just 0.001% of the deep seafloor – the equivalent of Rhode Island or one-tenth the size of Belgium.
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Despite covering 66% of Earth’s surface, our oceans are relatively unexplored, according to the Ocean Discovery League.
The deep ocean, which is typically defined as deeper than 200m, has diverse ecosystems along the seabed and tucked away in canyons and ridges.
While some areas, like these canyons and ridges, have been the focus of significant research, vast areas like abyssal plains and seamounts remain underexplored.
Deep-sea research dives are both challenging and expensive.
The immense pressure, cold temperatures and darkness mean it requires specialised equipment to explore.
But enduring the extreme conditions has allowed humans to see creatures they otherwise never would have laid eyes on.
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Angler fish
Like the iconic angler fish – which seems almost the poster child of the deep.
These creatures remain hidden in the dark, using a bright lure to attract unassuming prey up close to its large crescent-shaped mouth.
The carnivorous fish typically roams the murky depths of the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans, up to a mile underwater.
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Viperfish
The lightless deep has forced creatures to produce their own forms of illumination, including the viperfish.
The deep sea creature also attract its prey using a flashing light light at the end of its long dorsal spine.
Its teeth are so big, the viperfish can’t even close its mouth.
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Frill shark
This eel-like shark species, often referred to as a “living fossil”, gets its name from its frilly gills.
With roughly 300 teeth, this primitive-looking predator hunts squid and fish as deep as 1580m below the ocean surface.
Frill sharks typically prowl the waters of Norway to New Zealand.
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Proboscis worm
This horror-show of a creature is a Proboscis worm – which can grow to lengths of roughly six feet or more.
They scavenge for grub on the seafloor, and will eat pretty much anything they come across, including sea sponges, anemones and jellyfish.
And few predators want to target them for a snack.
The worm, which is typically found at depths of nearly 4,000m, harbors toxins that scientists believe make them unpalatable.
While this creature tends to be found in South American, sub-Antarctic and Antarctic waters, they can attach themselves to macroalgae and raft to other areas.
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Atlantic wolf fish
The bottom-dwelling wolf fish is armed with four to six fang-like teeth on its jaws, with a further three rows of gnashers behind that.
This creature even has serrated teeth in its throat.
Wolfish typically live in waters as deep as 500m.
Monsters lurking
The sheer amount of unexplored deep sea, including the abyssal plains that can reach depths between 3,000m and 6,000m, means there’s plenty of bizarre creatures left to discover.
“There is so much of our ocean that remains a mystery,” said Dr. Ian Miller, chief science and innovation officer at the National Geographic Society, which contributed funding for this work.
“Deep-sea exploration led by scientists and local communities is crucial to better understanding the planet’s largest ecosystem.
“If we have a better understanding of our ocean, we are better able to conserve and protect it.”