Gelatinous sea creature photographed using the ROV Deep Discoverer in 2015. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
Ever wonder what lurks beneath the surface? One million species live in the sea—but we’ve only discovered about one-third of them, because they live in deep parts of the ocean that are hard to explore. Many of them have been seen only a handful of times! Join us this week as we dive into creatures that live in the deep ocean—from corals, to jellyfish, to octopus, and more. Discover how they survive in these cold, dark habitats and the tools and technology we use to learn more about these animals.
Deep-Sea Creature Features
New Study Sheds Light on Alaska’s Largest, Most Mysterious Shark
Researchers created a “one-stop shop” for information critical to conserving the highly vulnerable Pacific sleeper shark.
Read about this vulnerable predator
Pacific sleeper shark photographed at 3,125 feet depth by the remotely operated vehicle, Deep Discoverer. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
Critters of the Twilight Zone
A look at the dark and lovely critters of the mesopelagic zone, or ocean twilight zone, caught during the fall Bottom Trawl Survey aboard NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. This at-sea blog was written by biological science technician Katie Rogers.
Take a look at some of the amazing critters found 200–1,000 meters deep
A profile perspective of a red fish with a large eye, pairs of leg-like appendages, and armor plate-like scales lying on a white table. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Katie Rogers
Researchers Find Massive Rare Sponge Mounds Hiding in the Deep Sea
NOAA scientists and collaborators have found rare deep-sea sponge mounds between two of California’s most explored marine protected areas, signifying how vast and mysterious our ocean truly is.
Scientists were surprised to find this vast mound in an unexpected place
This living glass sponge was spotted during a 2018 cruise. This photo reveals the bright colors and textures commonly associated with the living sponge, which is usually found in small patches. Credit: NOAA Fisheries, Marine Applied Research and Exploration
11 Strange But True Facts About Lancetfish
The lancetfish is one of the stranger fish found in Alaskan marine waters. Here are some interesting facts about this unusual fish.
Find out why lancetfish really are creatures from the Twilight Zone!
A lancetfish on a wooden surface. Credit: NOAA
NOAA Scientists Virtually Discover New Species of Comb Jelly Near Puerto Rico
The comb jellies were recorded two and a half miles below sea level using NOAA's Deep Discoverer remotely operated vehicle.
Scientists identified the new species using only high-definition video
An image of the newly discovered ctenophore taken by the Deep Discoverer remotely operated vehicle. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
Ghostly Octopod Highlights How Little We Know About Life on Earth
In this interview, NOAA Fisheries zoologist Mike Vecchione says that of all the space on Earth that contains multicellular life, more than 95 percent of that is in the deep sea. And we know almost nothing about it.
What this discovery at almost 4,300 meters depth tells us about our knowledge of the ocean
This ghostlike octopod is almost certainly an undescribed species and may not belong to any described genus. Credit: NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research
Multimedia
Infographic—Creatures of the Deep
Take a look at the creatures that live in each zone of the ocean, from the warm and productive sunlight zone to the deep and chilly abyssal zone.
An infographic depicting what sea life lives in each ocean zone. Credit: NOAA Fisheries
Video—Lancetfish: Unlocking the Secrets of the Deep
Scientists are using lancetfish's unusual stomachs, which contain barely digested food items, to learn more about the creatures that make up the middle of the marine food web and about the pervasiveness of plastics in the ocean.
Lancetfish: Unlocking the Secrets of the Deep
Scientists are using lancetfish's unusual stomachs, which contain barely digested food items, to learn more about the creatures that make up the middle of the marine food web and about the pervasiveness of plastics in the ocean.
Video—Combing the Deep: NOAA’s Discovery of a New Ctenophore
On an underwater expedition off the coast of Puerto Rico in 2015, led by the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, scientists discovered a new species of comb jelly. It is the first species solely identified through high-definition video.
Combing the Deep: NOAA's Discovery of a New Ctenophore
On an underwater expedition off the coast of Puerto Rico in 2015, led by the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, scientists discovered a new species of comb jelly. It is the first species solely identified through high-definition video.
Video—Habitat Exploration: Deep-Sea Corals
There are more than 70 underwater canyons off the northeastern coast of the United States, some more than 3 miles deep. In this video, journey to the deep and discover new species of deep-sea coral and more through the eye of a remotely operated vehicle.
Understanding the Giant Pacific Octopus
There are about 300 octopus species in the world, but only seven or eight are found in Alaska. Watch as our scientists learn more about the largest octopus species in the world: the giant Pacific octopus.
Understanding the Giant Pacific Octopus
Understanding the Giant Pacific Octopus