10 Deep Sea Creatures That Look Like Aliens

The ocean’s depths harbor some of the most bizarre and alien-like creatures on Earth. These deep-sea creatures have developed special adaptations to thrive in harsh, extreme conditions. Let’s dive into the mysterious world of ten extraordinary marine animals that seem to have come from another planet.

1. Giant Isopod (Bathynomus giganteus)

The giant isopod is a crustacean that resembles a massive pillbug. These creatures can grow up to 16 inches long and are found in the deep waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

Giant isopods have adapted to the high-pressure environment of the deep sea. Their exoskeletons are hard and calcified, allowing them to withstand the crushing pressure of the ocean depths.

These scavengers are essential to maintaining balance in the deep-sea ecosystem. They feed on dead animals that sink to the ocean floor, helping to recycle nutrients in the marine food web.

Despite their alien appearance, giant isopods are related to common terrestrial crustaceans like woodlice.

Their large size is an example of deep-sea gigantism, a phenomenon where some marine animals grow much larger than their shallow-water relatives.

2. Frilled Shark (Chlamydoselachus anguineus)

The frilled shark is often called a “living fossil” due to its prehistoric appearance. This eel-like shark can grow up to 6.5 feet long and inhabits depths of up to 5,150 feet.

Named for its distinctive frilled gills, this shark has a unique mouth structure. Its jaws can open extremely wide, allowing it to swallow prey whole that’s up to half its size.

Frilled sharks are rarely seen by humans due to their deep-sea habitat. They were first discovered in the 19th century, but much about their behavior and life cycle remains a mystery to scientists.

Recent studies suggest that frilled sharks may use their fluorescent properties to communicate or attract prey in the dark depths of the ocean.

3. Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis)

The vampire squid, despite its name, is neither a true squid nor a vampire. It’s a unique cephalopod that lives in the oxygen-minimum zones of temperate and tropical oceans.

The vampire squid’s scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, literally means “vampire squid from hell.” This dramatic name refers to its dark color and the cloak-like webbing between its arms.

Unlike its relatives, the vampire squid doesn’t hunt live prey. Instead, it feeds on “marine snow” – a mixture of dead plankton, fecal matter, and other organic debris that falls from upper ocean layers.

One of the vampire squid’s most remarkable features is its ability to turn itself inside out. When threatened, it can invert its cape-like webbing over its body, hiding its vulnerable head and arms.

4. Barreleye Fish (Macropinna microstoma)

The barreleye fish, also known as the spook fish, is renowned for its transparent head and tubular eyes. These unique features allow it to look directly upward through its skull.

The fish’s eyes are extremely light-sensitive and can rotate within its transparent head. This adaptation helps it spot the silhouettes of potential prey against the faint light filtering down from above.

Barreleye fish live at depths between 2,000 and 2,600 feet. Their gelatinous bodies are adapted to withstand the high pressure at these depths.

Recent research has revealed that barreleye fish can also look forward. Their eyes can rotate from an upward-facing position to a forward-facing one, giving them a broader range of vision.

Read More: Barreleye Fish – You Won’t Believe What’s Inside This Fish’s Skull

5. Dumbo Octopus (Grimpoteuthis)

The dumbo octopus is named for its ear-like fins, which are similar to the ears of Disney’s Dumbo the Elephant. These fins help it swim and maneuver in the deep ocean.

As the deepest-living octopuses known to science, dumbo octopuses have been found at depths of up to 13,000 feet. They’re well-adapted to the high-pressure environment of the deep sea.

Unlike most octopuses, dumbo octopuses don’t have ink sacs. In the dark depths where they live, ink would be ineffective as a defense mechanism.

These octopuses are opportunistic feeders, consuming small crustaceans, worms, and other marine animals. They use their arms to slowly drift over the sea floor, searching for prey.

6. Anglerfish (Lophiiformes)

Anglerfish are perhaps the most iconic deep-sea creatures, known for the bioluminescent lure that protrudes from their heads. This lure called an esca, is used to attract prey in the dark depths.

Female anglerfish are much larger than males, sometimes up to 60 times the size. In some species, the tiny male permanently fuses to the female’s body, becoming a parasitic mate.

The anglerfish’s mouth is so large that it can swallow prey up to twice its size. Its stomach can also stretch to accommodate these large meals.

Recent studies have revealed that some species of anglerfish have lost a key part of their immune system. This adaptation may help them accept a parasitic male without rejection.

7. Giant Squid (Architeuthis dux)

The giant squid is one of the largest known invertebrates, with the largest specimen measuring 43 feet long. Despite its size, this elusive creature was only first filmed in its natural habitat in 2004.

Giant squids have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom, reaching up to 10 inches in diameter. These enormous eyes help them detect the faintest glimmers of light in the deep sea.

These cephalopods are equipped with a parrot-like beak and a rasping tongue called a radula. They use these tools to tear their prey into small pieces before swallowing.

Recent genetic studies suggest that there may be only one species of giant squid worldwide, despite their wide distribution in all the world’s oceans.

8. Sloane’s Viperfish (Chauliodus sloani)

The viperfish is a fearsome predator of the deep, known for its long, needle-like teeth and hinged lower jaw. It can grow up to 12 inches long and lives at depths of up to 5,000 feet.

Like many deep-sea creatures, the viperfish has bioluminescent photophores along its body. It uses these light-producing organs to attract prey and possibly to communicate with potential mates.

Viperfish have an unusual hunting strategy. They remain motionless in the water, waving their dorsal fin like a fishing lure to attract smaller fish. When prey approaches, they strike with lightning speed.

Despite their ferocious appearance, viperfish are relatively small and are preyed upon by larger deep-sea predators like sharks and seals.

9. Gulper Eel / Pelican Eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides)

The gulper eel, also known as the pelican eel, is famous for its enormous mouth. Its jaw can unhinge to open wider than its body, allowing it to swallow prey much larger than itself.

This eel’s body is extremely flexible, with loose, flabby skin that can expand to accommodate large prey. However, its stomach is not unusually large, suggesting that it may not actually eat very large animals.

The gulper eel has a bioluminescent organ at the tip of its tail. Scientists believe this light may be used to attract prey, similar to an anglerfish’s lure.

Recent studies have shown that juvenile gulper eels look quite different from adults. They have much smaller mouths and longer tails, suggesting a significant transformation during their life cycle.

10. Blob Sculpin / Blobfish (Psychrolutes phrictus)

The blob sculpin, sometimes called the “blobfish,” is known for its gelatinous appearance.

However, this is largely due to decompression when it’s brought to the surface. In its natural deep-sea habitat, it looks more like a typical fish.

These fish live at depths between 3,000 and 9,000 feet. Their soft, scaleless bodies are adapted to withstand the high pressure of the deep sea.

Blob sculpins are ambush predators, lying motionless on the seafloor and waiting for prey to come within reach. They primarily feed on small invertebrates and crustaceans.

Recent research has revealed that blob sculpins are attentive parents. Females lay large masses of pink eggs on the seafloor, which are then guarded by either the male or female until they hatch.