Introduction
We know more about Mars than we do about the ocean floor. That fact may shock people when they first hear it, but according to scientists, humans have documented just 0.001% of the deep sea. What we have discovered, though, is a breathtaking and colorful menagerie of life that serves as the foundation of our marine ecosystem.
From species named after the Disney character Dumbo to living gardens hundreds of feet below the ocean, there is life in the deep seas beyond our imagination that we are just now beginning to understand.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the animals that call our mysterious deep seas home and how we can protect these incredible creatures from the threats they now face.
Named after the beloved Disney character, the dumbo octopus—with ear-like fins that resemble the famous baby elephant from the 1941 animated film—is found in the deep sea. These cute creatures, of which there are 18 known unique species (Grimpoteuthis), live in the deep sea throughout the world from depths of 328 feet all the way down to 22,965 feet below the ocean’s surface. Their fins flap like Dumbo’s ears to help propel them through the dark water, which makes them unique to other octopus species that mostly rely on jet propulsion. Dumbo octopuses do not have ink sacs, either, which makes sense due to their pitch-black habitat. Scientists are still learning about these mystery creatures, but what we do know is that they are very cute.
Cookiecutter sharks bring new meaning to the phrase “that’s gonna leave a mark.”
They may be parasites, but these small shark species are known for their versatile lifestyle. While living deep below, these unique animals migrate daily to shallow waters to feed.
Cookiecutter sharks only grow less than two feet long, but pack a big punch for their relatively small size. These sharks trick larger predators, like squid and stingrays, by using glowing spots on their bellies to mimic the silhouettes of small fish. When the animals approach, the cookiecutter shark latches on and spins, carving out a perfectly circular plug of flesh.
No, this creature of the deep is not the stuff of legend or myth. The colossal squid can reach lengths of up to 33 feet and weigh nearly 1,100 lbs. That’s about the length of a city bus and the weight of a cow! This massive squid species lives in depths of more than 6,000 feet, which is why there has only been one live colossal squid ever documented in in its natural deep-water habitat. This massive animal uses its very large eyes, about the diameter of a vinyl record, to detect its prey. The colossal squid’s elongated tentacles are armed with hooks to help it catch fish to eat. This is a rare species that scientists are still trying to learn more about, which makes their protection paramount.
Deep-sea corals and sponges serve as essential components of ocean health as they provide important habitat for marine life. These deep sea gardens and structures serve as underwater sanctuaries, protecting marine life while supporting everything from feeding and breeding to spawning and raising the next generation. These species are like a house, a rest stop, and a hotel all wrapped into one. Deep-sea corals and sponges are some of the oldest animals on our planet and exist off every U.S. coast, from Maine to Texas and Alaska to Hawaii. Yet many have never been mapped or studied, which makes it imperative to continue safeguarding these wonderous life-sustaining creatures.
Make no bones about it: the oarfish is the longest bony fish in the ocean. Its undulating appearance has been the inspiration of seafaring serpentine legends all over the world. That’s for good reason, too, as it looks like something out of a fairy tale. It’s a long and silvery fish, with a red dorsal fin that runs the entire length of its body. Unlike most fish, the oarfish lacks a traditional tail fin and instead tapers to a point. Larger oarfish are even known to self-amputate lower parts of their body, and may do this several times throughout their lives, although scientists are still trying to understand the reason why.
Oarfish swim by waving a dorsal fin in smooth, wave-like motions, looking almost like a ribbon in the waves. Oarfish can grow up to 20 feet long and inhabit depths of more than 3,000 feet below the ocean.
How Can We Protect Deep Sea Species?
The wonderfully unique creatures that call the deep sea home are under threat right now from an aggressive push to mine the world’s oceans. Mining can cause irrevocable damage to marine waters, killing wildlife, polluting the ocean, and threatening the animals we are just beginning to discover. Despite these dangers, the Trump administration is flaunting international rules to try and sell areas of our ocean for wide-scale commercial ocean mining for the first time ever as soon as this November.
But while the administration and the mining companies are racing to destroy our oceans, we are racing to protect them. Use your voice to stand up to ocean mining and stop this destructive practice before it starts. To stay updated on ocean mining and the ways you can make a difference, become a Wavemaker.
We must defend the deep sea world, filled with unique marine life, from short-sighted attempts to mine for minerals that can be found elsewhere. The deep sea is too important to destroy.
With your help, we can defend the deep.
