It is a well-known fact that the Mariana Trench is currently the deepest place in the world. The Mariana Trench, located east of the Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean, is so deep that even Mount Everest fails to compare its depth.
The Mariana Trench is about five times as deep as the Grand Canyon, which is currently considered the world’s deepest place man can see.
The sun cannot pass through the water more than 3,280 feet, so the human eye cannot see the bottom of the Mariana Trench. Also, due to the proximity of the two plates, scientists had no clue about the species in the Mariana Trench until recently.
There is no light of any kind at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, and the water is also very cold. It is also estimated that its pressure is approximately a thousand times higher than that at sea level. As a result, it is prevalent for all materials to be destroyed, except for specially formulated materials to withstand pressure.
In the last few years, however, several unmanned and crewed vessels have entered the Mariana Trench to explore the species that inhabit it. This is information about some of the strangest species found in such research.
Sarcastic Fringehead
This fish, which usually does not grow more than 10 or 12 inches, is scientifically known as Neoclinus blanchardi. Although small, they are relatively aggressive fish, opening their mouths as wide as possible when threatened and swallowing other predators. Oceanographers believe that this is a very successful defense strategy.
Frilled Shark
This fish is sometimes referred to as a ‘living fossil.’ This primitive fish is considered to be one of the least evolved animals since prehistoric times. Known scientifically as Chlamydoselachus anguineus, they originated about 80 million years ago.
Commonly found in the deep sea about 5,000 feet deep, these fish are about eels fish as long and have about 300 sharp teeth in 25 rows. Because they live in the deep sea, oceanographers have not yet pinpointed their normal behavior.
Deep-Sea Dragonfish
They are another species of ancient fish found in the sea at a depth of about 6,000 feet. They are a ferocious predator in the deep ocean, usually about six inches long.
The specialty of these fish is that they can produce light from the body through a chemical process. It is no secret that it is very important to a fish that lives at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. They use this light to attract small fish and prey on them.
Dumbo Octopus
Of the currently identified Octopus species, they live in the deep sea. They can find at a depth of about 13,000 feet in the Mariana Trench. Similar to the Dumbo baby elephant in the Disney cartoon, these Octopus come in various colors. And Their colorfulness is used as a food-seeking tactic.
This octopus’ hand is not as long as the other Octopus. Unlike other octopuses, they are accustomed to breaking into their food parts and swallowing them whole without eating.
Deep-sea Hatchetfish
A distinctive feature of this fish species is its ability to take different forms as required. Living at a depth of about 5,000 feet in the Mariana Trench, they can produce light by chemical processes, as are most of the fish that inhabit it.
Known scientifically as Argyropelecus hemigymnus, they are usually about 6 inches long.
Seadevil Anglerfish
They are about an inch in size, a scarce fish species, even in the Mariana Trench. They have a shapeless body, sharp teeth, and large eyes that make them look dangerous.
They are also known as an animal division with a very unnatural reproductive system. During reproduction, the male attaches itself to the female like a parasite, gradually losing its eyes, teeth, and other organs and becoming utterly dependent on the female.
Telescope Octopus
Known scientifically as Amphitretus pelagicus, it is a colorless octopus species with distinctive features such as its telescope-shaped eyes.
This Octopus usually lives in the sea at a depth of about 6,500 meters. Their telescope-shaped eyes help protect them from predators.
Cover image credit: (pinterest.com)
