The Earth’s oceans are less explored than the vastness of space. We know what’s out there, but we don’t know the true depths of what lives in our oceans. But we’re about to reveal to you some of the mysteries that dwell beneath the surface. A few you may have heard of before, but many of these underwater animals have never been seen outside the realm of science. Get ready to gaze upon amazing sea creatures with superpower-like abilities.
From the toothy grin of a crocodile to a pea-sized fish, some of the world’s best underwater photos have surfaced in a top contest.More than 1,200 photos were entered for the 2021 UnderwaterPhotography.com contest in 10 categories, from macro photography to sharks.The winner of the gold medal in the over/under category is this smiling crocodile in Cuba by Italian Massimo Giorgeta, captured in the Queen’s Garden, a protected area on an archipelago in the south of the island.SWNSFellow Italian Raffaele Livornis won the Wide Angle/Marine Life category with this beautifully composed shot of two sea lions hunting a school of sardines in La Paz, Mexico.
Tardigrades Are The Ultimate SurvivalistsIf aliens came to visit Earth, they might see that humans have done the most to subdue the planet and build a civilization; nevertheless, tardigrades have been the most resilient creature in history. These microscopic sea creatures, also known as “water bears,” have inhabited just about every corner of the Earth at some point in history.They have been around for about half a billion years, making them possibly the longest-lived of any organism that scientists have ever discovered. They are only about half a millimeter long, but under a microscope, they look like a hulking creature that you might expect to find in Jabba the Hutt’s palace in Star Wars.
Electric Eels Generate 600 Volts Of Electrical EnergyEels look a bit like underwater snakes, but they are a kind of fish. Electric eels may be the most well-known kind, but you do not want to come across an electric eel. When threatened, these guys can emit a massive shock of electricity, equal to 600 volts.That kind of shock could stun an adult human and even cause electrocution. Yet the eel is biologically hard-wired not to be adversely affected by the electricity coursing through the water – it has specialized cells that protect it from being electrocuted.
Mantis Shrimp Have A Killer PunchMantis shrimp can grow to be about a foot long, which is quite impressive for a shrimp but still on the small side. But it has a superpower that more than makes up for its small size: punching. The punch of a mantis shrimp is as fast as a bullet.This punch is so fast that it rapidly heats the surrounding water and can even create a shock wave that can stun nearby creatures. The punch and the ensuing shock wave can also break the hard shell of other crustaceans. Pretty cool, huh?
Box Jellyfish Are The Most Poisonous Species In The WorldIf you have spent much time on the beach, you may know firsthand that jellyfish stings can be quite unpleasant. However, stings from a box jellyfish can be deadly. About 100 people die every year from their pains. These creatures live around Indonesia and Northern Australia, so if you plan to visit beaches in the area, be careful.Box jellyfish can be hard to see, as their bodies are transparent. Nevertheless, their tentacles can be up to 10 feet long and have as many as 5000 stinging cells. A sting can cause someone’s heart to stop and lead to death within minutes. Survivors of these stings report pain that lasts for weeks.
Sailfish Swim At Highway Driving SpeedSailfish can grow to be upwards of 11 feet long, and they are named after their impressive sail-like fins that help them glide through the water almost effortlessly. These bluish-grey fish also have elongated bills that help them catch their prey.The fastest fish in the ocean is the sailfish. They have been known to hit speeds of 68 miles per hour. That’s about as fast as you can go on a highway without getting a speeding ticket! The sailfish’s sleek body and powerful sail-like fin give it the ability to swim so incredibly quickly.
Cuttlefish Have Three Hearts And Green BloodCuttlefish are like the sea’s chameleons, as they can quickly change color to blend in with their surroundings. This camouflaging allows them to hide from potential predators and stealthily stalk out their next meal.And while cuttlefish may have “fish” in their name, they are cephalopods, meaning that they are more closely related to octopus and squid. They have eight tentacles and two arms, as well as a calcified shell that provides protection. Moreover, they also have green blood and three hearts to pump it throughout their bodies.
A Platypus’s Bill Is Charged With ElectricityPlatypuses are one of nature’s real anomalies. They have a duck-like bill, but they are mammals, but even though they are mammals, they lay eggs. Moreover, they shoot poison out of their hind feet, also though very few mammals are poisonous.To make them even stranger, the bill of the platypus is lined with thousands of electrical sensors that allow the animal to target its prey from far away accurately. These electrical sensors are so powerful that, whether the platypus is in the water or on land, it doesn’t have to use its eyes or ears to locate its prey.
Planarians Clone ThemselvesThere are some pretty awesome animals out there that can regrow body parts that fall off. Some lizards can spontaneously shed their tails to escape from an enemy, and then they grow their tails back. And starfish regrow arms that fall off.Planarians, though, take the cake. These microscopic creatures can reproduce indefinitely, and each piece that falls off grows into an entirely new planarian. They’re kind of like the mythological Hydra – cut off the head, and another head grows back along with an altogether new planarian.
