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DEEP-SEA WILDLIFECONSERVATION
Unlike other wildlife areas, such as
the rain forests, the deep sea is not
in great danger from habitat loss
or pollution. However, harmful
polluting chemicals have been found
at great depths. Fishing boats have
also overfished many shallow seas
and are now fishing in deeper waters.
Deep-sea fish such as these orange
roughy fish (right) may soon be
in danger because of overfishing.
Find out more
Animals
Atmosphere
Fish
Ocean wildlife
Octopuses and squid
Seashore wildlifeSULFUR VENTS
At some places on the
seabed, hot water and
gases bubble up through
the rocks. These places are
called sulfur vents. They emit
(give out) energy-rich chemicals
that are used by bacteria for growth.
Other animals feed on the bacteria. Blind
crabs and giant worms 10 ft (3 m) long
live around the vents. They are
the only creatures that do not
depend on the sun for energy.HATCHETFISH
The deep-sea hatchetfish
has a tall, thin body, shaped
like an ax-head. It looks like its
relative, the freshwater hatchetfish.
The deep-sea hatchetfish stays about
1,700 ft (500 m) below the surface by
day and swims up at night to eat tiny
shellfish and other floating food.SEA LILY
This animal is an upside-
down version of its relative, the
starfish. It is attached to the seabed
by a stalk. Its branched tentacles
gather and trap food, and then sweep
it to the mouth in a stream of mucus (spit).Thin body shape
and light organs
along underside
may reduce the risk
of being seen from
below by a predator.HatchetfishSEA CUCUMBER
The cylindrical-shaped sea cucumber is an animal,
and a relative of the starfish. It has a frill of tentacles at
one end, around the mouth. These tentacles sweep up
bits of food from the muddy floor as the sea cucumber
moves along on its many tubed feet.Sea lily
Sea
cucumberLIFE ON THE SEABED
Many kinds of animals filter, sieve,
and sift the water and muddy
sludge on the seabed for tiny pieces
of food. In places where ocean
currents bring abundant food,
these creatures cover the seabed.
Most of them are blind and slow-
moving. When some deep-sea fish
are brought to the surface, the
decrease in water pressure makes
them swell and burst. Scientists
study them with special remote-
control led submersibles, which
can carry cameras as deep
as 20,000 ft (6,000 m).Fang tooth has a lure on its
head to attract small fish.Eyes have large
yellow lenses to spy
prey, especially
small glowing fish
and shellfish.Needlelike teeth
give the fang
tooth fish its
name.DEEP-SEA SQUID
Squid swim among
the sea lilies, hunting
for fish and other
prey. The giant squid
also swims near the
sea bottom.