PECULIAR SEA CREATURES

by: Chrishia Marise E. Estares

Have you ever wondered that there are unusual sea creatures that can be found in the depths of the ocean beyond our belief? Well, here are some of the sea creatures that will put you in awe.

Red-Lipped Batfish

As all of us wondered what this sea creature may look like, from its name it gives us a strange feeling that this kind of sea creature does exist. The Red lipped batfish can be found at the bottom of the ocean reefs or on the ocean floors. The color of this creature is light brown and grayish on its back with a white stomach. However, it can also be distinguished by its mouth bright color which it wears like a red lipstick.

Leafy Seadragon

This cool creature is related to the seahorse we know. With intricate, decorative skin filaments hanging from the head, body, and tail, this species is practically indistinguishable from the floating seaweed in which it lives. The color ranges from green to yellow. Instead of scales, the body is covered in protective jointed plates, and its dorsal edge is lined with long, sharp spines.

The leafy sea dragon can be spotted on rocky reefs, seaweed beds, seagrass meadows, and sand patches near weed-covered reefs, where it mimics drifting seaweed.

Vampire Squid

The vampire squid is a real creature, believe it or not! It's a small and wonderfully strange mollusk that lives in the deep water, and despite its common moniker, it's not a genuine squid (or a vampire, in case you were still curious). It is the only member of its own order, Vamppyromorphida, and its Latin name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, means "vampire squid from hell." Humans have nothing to fear from the vampire squid, despite its menacing appearance.

From its terrifying name Vampire squid loves the dark like the Monstrous Vampire we know. This sea creature only grows for about one foot as it matures and with a color of dark- red, Reddish brown or black.

Christmas tree Worm

This sea creature will make you confused. From its colorful features you might not know that it is a Worm. In general, you might be deceived by its appearance.

Christmas tree worms can be found on shallow coral reefs in tropical areas.

These tiny worms (1-2 inches - 4-5 cm long) contain a central tube and two spiraling structures that give them a tree-like appearance. Only the feathered section of them can be seen, which comes in a variety of hues including pink, red, yellow, blue, white, and brown. The rest of their body, legs, and bristles are constantly in the tube and are roughly double the size of the visible feathery component. The name says it all!

Gulper Eel

This bizarre creature is far from the usual Eel we see on the TV, from its appearance I bet all you are in awe that this creature exists in the depths of the ocean.

Gulper Eel is distinguished by its huge mouth and short body. The volume of the eel's open mouth is 11 times that of the entire eel. This allows for the occasional consumption of small or large prey in an environment where food is scarce.

Even if you would assume there isn't much more to uncover on Earth in the twenty-first century, the deep water is still largely undiscovered. Indeed what a peculiar world we lived in.