The Abyss
How Much do we Know About the Depths of the Ocean?
Preface
Fangtooth Fish
Fangtooth fish have the largest teeth in the world relative to body size but are not much of a threat to humans because of their small size and weak muscles.
Humpback Anglerfish
The humpback anglerfish uses a bioluminescent lure to attract its prey. It is also able to consume fish larger than itself.
Black Swallower
The unnatural size of this fish's stomach enable it to consume bony fish whole that are ten times its own mass.
Poem
Alien
What can live in a world so hellishly hot
Or colder than ice
What creatures thrive on the dead bodies that drift from above
What animals nest in holes in the sand
or can only move when push comes to shove
What foreign being can withstand pressures that could crush a ship at bay
What extraterrestrial has no ability to see
But can sense evil approaching from ten yards away
What unknown monsters possess teeth as sharp as blade
What thing has a huge gaping mouth
or makes its own light to put on quite a charade
You and I both know exactly what it is
These are all characteristics of just on thing
Alien
Vampire Squid
The vampire squid has the largest eyes proportionate to body size of any animal on the planet.
Frill Shark
Frill sharks have many characteristics similar to those of its ancestors that were alive during the time of the dinosaur.
Gulper Eel
To catch its prey, the gulper eel uses a bioluminescent organ at the end of its tail. The glow attracts curious fish and the eel swims towards the fish, enveloping it inside its huge mouth.
Research Connections
There are a ton of weird quirks that animals have that live in the abyssal zone of the ocean because of the extreme difference of their environment. For example, some of the creatures "have no ability to see" because there is no need for sight when all they would be seeing is pitch black. (Parker, Alien) And because no sunlight reaches the depths of the ocean, it is impossible for photosynthesis to occur. Therefore, most animals get their nutrients by eating "organic materials that fall from above or from eating other creatures." (Deep Sea Creature, Wikipedia)
The main reason why we know so little about the bottom of the ocean is because it is very difficult, expensive, and even dangerous to go on a deep sea exhibition. The deeper down into the ocean, the more pressure there is. "Because of the high pressure, the depth to which a diver can descend without special equipment is limited." (Deep Sea Exploration, Wikipedia) That is why scientists have started to use HOVs, or human operated vehicles. These vehicles must be very small and compact in order to withstand the massive amounts of pressure. Many safety measures and precautions must be made in order to make sure the humans are safe inside the pod. For example, there are "2.5 inch thick windows, or viewing ports" in the pod but they are very small so that they do not implode due to great pressure. (Parker, Speechless)
There is such a wide range of species in the depths of the ocean that have yet to be discovered. But the ones scientists have discovered are all unique and have their own adaptations to help them survive and even thrive. Whether it be large teeth or a bioluminescent lure, every creature has its own strategies to stay alive. For example, the Fangtooth Fish "has the largest teeth in the world relative to body size." This enables it to sink its teeth into its prey to hold onto it. (Parker, Deep Sea Encyclopedia) The advantage that the Vampire Squid has to other deep sea creatures is that it has "eyes that are proportionately the largest of any animal on Earth." (National Geographic, Deep-Sea Creatures)
Primary Source
"I know we don't know a lot about it except that there are some super weird animals down there..." -- Julia Pressly
"There is a lot of pressure and it's really dark. The animals that live down there don't get as much oxygen as animals that live in shallower waters" -- Madi Mcshan
"There is no light and no human has ever explored in the absolute bottom of the ocean because we don't have the proper technology to do so." --Kaleigh Keyes
"No light, interesting life, most animals there are bioluminescent, many fish scavenge on the dead fish that sink to the bottom, there has been very limited human exploration to the abyssal zone." -- James Clifford
"It's wet." --Ralph Parker, M.D
"The really deep parts of the ocean have yet to be explored by scientists. It is pitch black and the water pressure is extreme. Ocean plants and animals have adapted to these extreme conditions and are able to thrive." -- Laurie Parker
Bibliography
- Snyderman, Marty. Ocean Life. Lincolnwood: Publications International, LTD, 1991. Print
- "Deep sea creature - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_sea_creature>.
- "Deep-sea exploration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep-sea_exploration#Oceanographic_submersibles>
- "Human Occupied Vehicle Design Project." Welcome to UNOLS!. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 May 2013. <http://www.unols.org/committees/dessc/replacement_HOV/replacement_hov.html>.
- Link to Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKTRv3hx1s0