Just imagine: more than 95% of the Earth's habitable space is deep ocean, virtually unexplored! At depths of up to 11,000 meters, the Mariana Trench is home to astonishing organisms,...
Just imagine: more than 95% of the Earth's habitable space is deep ocean, virtually unexplored! At depths of up to 11,000 meters, the Mariana Trench is home to astonishing organisms, such as the single-celled xenophyophore discovered at 10,641 meters.
For example, the anglerfish, which lives up to 2,000 meters, attracts prey with a bioluminescent "flashlight." The giant squid, which reaches 13 meters, lives up to 1,300 meters; its eyes are the largest: up to 27 centimeters in diameter.
The tube worms, which live near hydrothermal vents at depths of 2,500 meters and grow up to 2.4 meters, are amazing, feeding on chemicals. And the goblin shark, which lives at depths of up to 1,300 meters, is known for its retractable jaw and pinkish skin.
How do they withstand pressures of 1,000 atmospheres? Their bodies contain special proteins and compounds, such as trimethylamine oxide, that prevent denaturation. The snailfish, which lives at 8,336 meters in the Mariana Trench, holds the depth record for fish.
We've explored less than 5% of these depths, yet we discover new species every year. In 2022, dozens of new deep-sea species were described. The potential for discovery is enormous; support the exploration of these amazing worlds!
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