Rare Marine Animals You May Never See Again
The underwater world never ceases to amaze. It is undeniable that there is still much we do not know about it, not only about landscapes, limits or treasures, but also about rare marine animals that at a glance leave us perplexed.
Today we have discovered a lot of very curious and strange species, each one with its own particularities that make them tender, threatening and even funny creatures.
From the vampire squid, to the sea pig or sea dragons, there is a lot that we definitely do not know yet. Do you dare to discover them?
These Are the Rarest Marine Animals
In the fascinating world of marine wildlife, rarity and wonder converge in surprising ways.
The oceans hide amazing secrets, and rare marine animals are proof of this.
From the deepest depths to the shallowest waters, join us to discover the eccentricity of these underwater creatures. Let us know if you've come across any. 😜
1. Eel Shark:
También conocido como «Chlamydoselachus anguineus», es un verdadero maestro del camuflaje.
With its serpentine body and sharp teeth, it slithers undetected into the dark depths.
Its ability to mimic its environment makes it a sample of the mysteries of evolution.
In fact, it is one of the oldest species, as it retains some of its primitive characteristics.
Although rare, it can inhabit the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
2. Psychrolutes micropores:
Conocido como el «pez Blob» o pez mancha, es una maravilla de las profundidades.
Its gelatinous appearance and ability to adapt to extreme pressure conditions make it one of the most intriguing species recently discovered.
It lives at a depth of about 1,000 meters, where the pressure is incredibly high. Because of this, its lower density body allows it to float easily.
Although its habitat is divided between Australia and New Zealand, it is very difficult to see it due to the inaccessibility of its territory.
3. Yeti crab:
En las gélidas profundidades del océano Antártico, reina el curioso cangrejo Yeti, o «Kiwa hirsuta».
With its hairy legs and appearance closer to that of an arachnid, this crustacean has captured the imagination of scientists and divers alike.
It was discovered in 2005, at a depth of 2,300 meters on Easter Island, specifically in hydrothermal springs.
Like the albino crab, typical of Lanzarote's marine fauna, it is blind and has a light yellowish color.
4. Sea dragons:
Sea dragons, with their fantastic appearance and graceful movement, are true underwater curiosities.
Known for their mimicry and elegance, these creatures emanate an air of magic around them.
It is distributed on the east and south coasts of Australia. In its habitat it tries to mimic the environment, which is why its body seems to be formed by seaweed.
5. Dumbo Octopus:
The Dumbo octopus, so named because of its fins resembling the ears of the famous animated elephant, is a unique spectacle.
Its ability to swim gracefully in the depths and its large, curious eyes make it one of the most entertaining of the rare marine animals.
6. Hairy Toadfish:
Imagina un pez con una apariencia peluda y expresión adormilada. El pez sapo peludo, o «Antennarius striatus», es exactamente eso.
Its peculiar appearance makes it stand out among the inhabitants of the reef, and its hunting technique is as unique as its appearance: it usually walks on the seabed in search of food, hiding among corals and sponges.
7. Marine Pig:
Aunque su nombre pueda sugerir lo contrario, el cerdo marino, o «Dolichopteryx longipes», es un pequeño pez de aguas profundas.
Its elongated snout and bulging eyes give it a curiously porcine appearance, adding a touch of humor to the deep sea. In fact, it has a body resembling a puffy balloon and has a light pink color.
It is very difficult to see, since it is able to establish its habitat at a depth of 800 meters.
8. Vampire Squid:
Descending to the depths where sunlight does not reach, we find the vampire squid, a creature with long tentacles and bioluminescent filaments that allow it to stalk its prey in the gloom of the deep ocean.
But is his name just a coincidence? Not really. It is attributed to it because it eats dead organic matter, and its body colors range from pale red to black.
It lives in the most intense darkness and in solitude.
9. Astroscopus guttatus:
This guitarfish, scientifically known as Astroscopus guttatus, is anything but conventional.
Its unique appearance and peculiar habits make it a very curious creature, which could easily be mistaken for a sand sculpture.
One of its most mysterious abilities is that it has an organ in its head that releases an electric charge. This allows it to stun and confuse its prey, making it useful for defending itself against predators.
10. Tardigrades:
Even in salty waters, tardigrades, tiny and resilient, demonstrate that life can adapt to the most inhospitable environments.
These tiny water bears are living proof of the amazing diversity of marine life, managing to be indestructible enough to live in a pot of boiling water.
Mind you, they are so tiny that you will probably never see them.
Rare Marine Animals in Danger of Extinction
These underwater creatures, although extraordinary and curious, face challenges that could compromise their existence.
Do you know any of them?
1. Pez Luna (Mola mola):
The majestic sunfish, with its unique circular appearance, is among the most imposing creatures in the oceans.
However, its enormous size and vulnerability to bycatch have placed it on the endangered species list.
Its name is attributed to its shape and behavior, since it usually lies on its side on the surface, resembling the reflection of the moon in the water.
2. Gliding Hornbill (Eusphyra blochii):
The hammerhead shark has a very curious shape, similar to a hammerhead shark, although thinner and with a more pronounced shape on its head. It is also smaller.
It usually inhabits the surface waters of the Philippines, China, Australia and the Persian Gulf.
3. Japanese Sea Cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus):
This curious invertebrate, known as the Japanese sea cucumber, plays a crucial role in marine ecosystems.
Overexploitation for the Asian food market and traditional medicine has led to their decline, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable fishing practices.
It is distinguished by the presence of thorns on its body.
4. Poison Cone Snail (Conidae):
Although its vibrant colors and intricate patterns make it a visual spectacle, the poison cone snail faces threats due to habitat loss.
In addition to its shell, which does not go unnoticed, it has a horn or harpoon in its front part that protects the gland with the venom. It can take it out or keep it at will and the substance can be fatal to humans.
5. Sargo Cabezón (Sarpa salpa):
The cabezon bream, known for its unusual behavior, is affected by coastal habitat degradation and pollution.
Its Latin name is Chrysoblephus gibbiceps and it is distinguished by having a very prominent forehead compared to the rest of its body.
Most commonly, its body is marked with red stripes. It can reach more than half a meter in length and inhabits the coasts of South Africa.
As we admire the uniqueness of these rare marine animals, it is also imperative to recognize the importance of their preservation.
As passionate divers, we have a responsibility to protect these underwater treasures and ensure that future generations can marvel at marine diversity.
To do this, even though we cannot see most of these species, avoid disturbing the marine habitat on each dive, as well as doing your bit against pollution and indiscriminate fishing.
