Researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) share their Top 10 most bizarre creatures from the deep, and the reasons why they love them.
Researchers share their favourite strange deep-sea dwellers
For more than three decades, researchers from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) have been exploring the deep ocean with remotely operated vehicles, discovering fascinating ways that life in the deep sea has evolved to thrive in this dark, cold world. The ocean is vast and full of things yet unseen. Every time researchers set out on an expedition, they are amazed by new observations and today they are excited to share ten of those discoveries with you! Below, in descending order, are images of the researchers’ Top 10, and a video explaining why they are so fond of these particular bizarre deep-sea creatures. All images and footage ©MBARI
The deep sea—Earth’s largest habitat—is home to a host of magical and mysterious animals
As the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) help their education and conservation partners at the Monterey Bay Aquarium prepare for the exhibit Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean, launching in 2022, they were curious to know which denizens of the deep are MBARI’s favourites? With that question in mind, they gathered five of MBARI’s finest deep-sea biologists—Shannon Johnson, Kakani Katija, George Matsumoto, Bruce Robison, and Susan von Thun—and came up with a list of ten favourites. You might be surprised to see what made their list and what makes these creatures so lovable.
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