The 6 Most Incredible Ocean Creatures You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
The oceans are home to a wide variety of strange and wonderful creatures, much of which remains largely unknown to us. In this post, we will take a closer look at six unique and interesting ocean animals.
1. Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish)
- The heaviest known bony fish, with some individuals weighing up to 2,200 pounds.
- Gentle and slow-moving, often seen basking near the surface of the water.
- Found in warm, temperate waters around the world and are known for their circular shape and large, flat head.
- Unique mating behavior involves males using their fins to “hug” females in order to transfer sperm.
2. Dumbo octopus
- A small, deep-sea octopus named after the character Dumbo from the Disney movie.
- Known for their large, ear-like fins, which they use to swim through the water.
- Found in deep waters around the world and are able to survive at extreme depths.
- Unique mating behavior involves males using their tentacles to “hug” females in order to transfer sperm.
3. Goblin shark
- Rare and mysterious species of shark are found in deep waters around the world.
- Known for their long, slender bodies and elongated snouts.
- Able to survive at extreme depths.
- Unique hunting behavior involves using their elongated snouts to sense prey and then lunge forward to capture it.
4. Hatchetfish
- Small, deep-sea fish are found in the waters of the world’s oceans.
- Distinctive hatchet-shaped bodies and large, glowing eyes.
- Able to survive at extreme depths.
- Unique hunting behavior involves using their glowing eyes to attract prey and then snatch it up with sharp teeth.
5. Blobfish
- Rare, deep-sea fish are found in the waters off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania.
- Soft, gelatinous bodies and sad, goofy expressions.
- Able to survive at extreme depths.
- Unique mating behavior involves males using their soft, gelatinous bodies to “hug” females in order to transfer sperm.
6. Fangtooth
- Small, deep-sea fish are found in the waters of the world’s oceans.
- Large, sharp teeth and ferocious-looking expressions.
- Found in the deep waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, at depths of 500 to 5,000 feet.
- Typically grow to be about 6 inches in length.
- Unique hunting behavior involves using their large, sharp teeth to catch small prey.
These six ocean creatures are just a few examples of the many strange and wonderful animals that can be found in the world’s oceans.
By learning more about these amazing animals, we can better understand the diversity and complexity of life in the ocean.