10 Strangest Creatures of Deep Oceans

Scientists say that we know more about the surface of the Mars than we do about the bottom of our oceans. Strange and scary creatures from various microorganisms to enormous squids dwell and lurk deep below. Some of them adapt to complete blackness, high pressure, near freezing water and very scarce eating habits. Some of them still remain undiscovered and are a complete mystery.

1. Viperfish
   These horror-like looking creatures are one of the most common fish of the deep ocean. Although they can grow only up to 30 cm in size, their teeth make them appear much larger. In fact, these sharp and deadly fangs go beyond their mouths making the viperfish unable to completely close their mouth. They would stab their teeth into the victim, giving it no chance of escape.
   Viperfish live in depth of up to 9000 feet - far away from any sunlight, however, scientists have reported seeing them near the surface during the night. Their color ranges from silvery black to green and blue. The most interesting part of these fish are their first vertebra, which is a part of their spine that extends beyond their head and resembles an antenna. Besides their teeth, the first vertebra are their main weapon as well as defense. It works as a shock absorber but they can also use it to produce light and switch it on and off and by doing so lure smaller fish to feed upon.

2. Anglerfish
   Much like Viperfish, Anglerfish also depend on their light producing organ which they move around as bait and lure fish. Once the prey gets near them, they will be immediately swallowed entirely. Anglerfish can stretch both their stomach and jaw and consume prey twice their own size. Strange spine construction allows them to move in any direction, however, it makes them swim quite slow. They can be seen in colors varying from brown to black but their bioluminescent glow can cover them in bluish aura, making them invisible to most predators.
   The most bizarre thing about these fish is their reproduction system. Male anglerfish are much, much smaller than female and once they mature their digestive system simply stops functioning. In order to survive they must attach themselves to a female anglerfish by releasing enzyme to blend their mouths with female's body together. After that, they spend the remaining days of their lives feeding off the female. One female can carry up to six males.

3. Telescope Octopus
   
   These creatures can be found in the depths of between 500 and 6500 feet. Although to actually find them, you would have to look really carefully as the only visible things on them are their eyes and the digestive gland. The only way they might end up being eaten is by sheer accident as they don't even leave shadows below them. However, they do hunt their prey by observing shadows using their unique eyes. They swim on their back and with eyes placed on movable stalks they "scope" the prey's shadow and decide whether to attack.
   These shadow stalking creatures, as do all octopi, learn how to survive by observing and learning from other octopi. Their survival depends a lot on their ability to understand all animals in their environment and remember weaknesses of their enemies and plan strategies. On a more brighter note, octopi are known to collect various shells and use them to build shelter, hide and even as toys!

4. Dumbo Octopus
   These funny looking creatures get their name from having fins which resemble ears of an elephant, precisely Disney's Dumbo. By flapping its ear-like fins these octopi manage to swim and use their hands to steer. Dumbo octopus is actually name of the entire similar looking species which can be found dwelling in the deepest areas than any other octopi, up to 13000 feet; At that depth there's absolutely no sunlight and water is freezing cold. Since they are very rare and the ocean is enormous they subsist because female octopi are capable of mating at any times the two meet.
   In general, all octopi have three hearts; two of which runs blood though their gills and one though their body. They're very fast swimmers and can cleverly use their mantle with water as a jet to gain swimming speed. If they were to get caught, as a last line of defense they can lose their arm intentionally and grow it back later.

5. Frilled Shark
   
   As if regular sharks weren't scary enough; Frilled Sharks can grow up to 6,4 feet in size and devour victims half their size in a bite. They have 25 rows of razor-sharp teeth which curl backwards; In contrast to their skin color, the teeth shine with whitey glow which attracts other fish and tricks them into becoming shark food. It was believed that they swim much like eels but latest discoveries revealed that frilled sharks are actually capable of "hovering" at depth.
   Sharks are also know for the longest gestation duration which is due to the very cold temperatures, it usually lasts for up to three and a half years. Frilled sharks have poorer skeleton but larger livers compared to regular sharks, this is because they have adapted to the harsh conditions of the deep sea. They can be found in waters of Atlantic, Pacific Oceans and in commonly in Suruga Bay, Japan.

6. Goblin Shark
   Frilled shark's cousin by its terrifying look; They're both rare species that date from prehistoric times up to 120 million years back. Sharks in general pre date even dinosaurs, yet their anatomy hasn't changed and evolved much as there was no real need to. Goblin shark may also be referred to as the 'alien shark' as its jaws can move independently from its mouth, much like those disgusting creatures from the movie. They are able to thrust their jaws three inches away from their mouth as it is connected with flaps of skin. It is unknown how many of them exist as they lurk in freezing cold depths and are scarcely seen, luckily for us.
   Goblin Shark's diet mainly consists of string rays, crabs and squids. They feed very frequently which is odd since they have large livers and can survive long without eating. I suppose they just like to eat for the sake of it.

7. Peacock Mantis Shrimp
   These cute looking creatures surely are a treat for the eyes after the eerie sharks. However, these little shrimps which can grow up to 18 cm are quite vicious as well. They are capable to produce shockwaves with their appendages and kill the prey even if they miss it. The limbs accelerate as fast as a gun and move so quickly that they make the water around them and its prey boil and burst with little flashes of light. So, if you were to keep them in an aquarium they could easily break their way out and attack you.
   Peacock Mantis Shrimps also have the most complex eyes than any animal. In fact, they can see 10 times more than humans and can see ultraviolet and infrared light. Their body is quite resilient as well; Researchers are studying their cells in order to create heavy and more effective armor for soldiers.

8. Magnapinna Squid
   
   Imagine swimming and bumping into this horrid creatures which appears as if from a nightmare. These squids are up to 26 feet big and their tentacles go up to 20 times their size. It hasn't yet been proved but it is believed that they use eight of their extraordinarily long tentacles to trap the food at the bottom of the ocean.
   The tentacles stretch down from 4 short arms on the side at 90 degrees angel which gives them the creepy look as if they had elbows. The discovery of this creature was unintentional as it was filmed by an oil drilling company. The video of this squid was shared among employees of oil companies until it was took by National Geographic.
   They were found at 9000 feet deep. What's even more terrifying is that marine biologist believe that this wasn't even an adult Magnapinna squid. We can only imagine how that would look, but I know I won't try to do so.

9. Mimic Octopus
   Known as the most intelligent octopi with morphing abilities. They are able to morph, entirely change their appearance into several other different animals. When attacked by a larger predator they would morph to appear as a poisonous sea snake, for instance. By changing colors to black and waving their arms to imitate a swimming venomous sea snake, the attacker would get scared away. They also use this technique to trick other smaller fish by morphing into jellyfish and various other forms. This is the only animal so far known to posses this astonishing ability.
   When they reproduce both male and female octopi die in the process. Male dies as soon as it fertilizes the female; while female octopus keeps and protects her eggs under her arm. Once hatched, the mother soon dies and the little octopi have to struggle for food at the top of the water. Battling alone for survival since the day one.

10. Vampire Squids
    The only species of Order Vampyromorphida kind that survived is this half octopus - half squid vampire squid. The name 'Vampire' is given to them because of their big red eyes which when compared to their body size are largest than any other animal, proportion-vise. Additionally, when they're attacked by predators they cover themselves with their arms with webbed skin. In that defensive state they appear as if they were wearing a cloak, much like a vampire does.
    Vampire squids have fins at their head which look like ears. They use these fins to fly across water by flapping them. They lack the black ink defensive mechanism which all squids have, however, they are able to eject glowing mucus which can disorient its prey and help them escape larger attackers. As if they didn't have enough battling skills already; vampire squids also have quite strong jaws which can penetrate shells of various crustaceans.

There is something eerie about how similarly weird fantasy and science fiction creatures are to the discovered ones in the depths. Perhaps even more frightening is the thought that even more unimaginable entities dwell deep below out of our reach. It just goes to show us how little we know about our planet and how much we still we have to learn.

Sources:
http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/viperfish.html
http://iliketowastemytime.com/rare-deep-sea-predator-viperfish
http://www.realmonstrosities.com/2015/07/telescope-octopus.html
http://oceana.org/marine-life/cephalopods-crustaceans-other-shellfish/dumbo-octopuses
http://mentalfloss.com/article/60129/11-fascinating-facts-about-frilled-shark
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/mantis_shrimp
http://tolweb.org/Magnapinna
http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=260
http://www.octopusworlds.com/mimic-octopus/
http://www.onekind.org/education/animals_a_z/octopus
http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=1485