October 21, 2024
5 Eerie Ocean Animals
BY: Leard Corinne
As Halloween approaches, spooky creatures come to mind — ghouls, ghosts, and goblins. But what if we told you that some of the most eerie animals live deep beneath the waves? Here are five ocean animals that are always Halloween ready!
VAMPIRE SQUID
Vampire squids are found deep in the ocean, below where sunlight reaches. While they don’t suck blood, their red eyes, dark coloration, and the cloak-like webbing between their arms certainly gives them a very “vampire-y” appearance. And if the name “vampire squid” wasn’t intimidating enough for you, their scientific name, Vampyroteuthis infernalis, literally means “vampire squid from hell!”
Image courtesy of Ocean Exploration Trust
SPOOKFISH
Also known as a ghost shark or a rhinochimera, these deep ocean dwellers are related to sharks and rays. Like their relatives, these fish do not have bones in their body – their skeleton is made entirely of cartilage. The rhinochimera uses its large, light-sensitive eyes to seek out prey like shrimp and crabs in deep, dark ocean waters.
Courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.
ZOMBIE WORM
Zombie worms get their name from their unusual diet. They get nourishment by boring through whale bones and feeding on what’s inside. It’s not teeth they use to get through bone, but rather acid that they secrete! While their eating method may seem fearsome, these worms are quite small — often under 2 inches long.
Image from Fujiwara Y, Jimi N, Sumida PYG, Kawato M, Kitazato H (2019) New species of bone-eating worm Osedax from the abyssal South Atlantic Ocean (Annelida, Siboglinidae).
GOBLIN SHARK
These elusive sharks are rarely seen, and much of their life remains shrouded in mystery. They likely live mostly in the deep ocean, where it’s thought they swim slowly waiting for animals to come within striking distance before they quickly extend their unusual jaws to snap up a meal.
Credit: BluePlanetArchive / David Shen
GHOST CRAB
Ghost crabs get their name from their pale coloration and their swift movement, which seemingly bears a fleeting resemblance to a ghost. They are the fastest crustaceans on land. These crabs are capable of changing their color over time to match their surroundings and can even change their color in response to time of day to improve their camouflage!
Credit: Kamil Srubar / Shutterstock
These eerie ocean animals can truly surpass your wildest imagination!
Learn about more spooky creatures in our seas by visiting our Marine Life Encyclopedia.
And join Oceana in protecting all kinds of marine life and our oceans by becoming a Wavemaker.