Real Live "Monsters"......of the Sea (and other locations!)

[duroz]

This post about the "Scale Worm" was originally posted in the thread
"UNICORNS, DRAGONS & ANGELS!! They ARE real! They DO exist! Pics to Prove it!"
on: July 25, 2012, 01:15:28 am

I re-posted two posts from that thread (this one and the following one by jcribb) to start out this new thread about  "monstrous" looking creatures.....

                  

Looking like aliens from another world, these scale worms (Polychaetes) inhabit the depths of around 3200 ft (1000 m) where it is pitch dark and the pressure is immense.

Their ability to survive in most extreme conditions, including both the freezing sub-zero temperatures of the sea floor and the almost 750 °F (400 °C) super-heated waters near the hydrothermal vents makes them capable of survival in basically any conditions found on Earth, which has truly fascinated the scientific community around the globe.

With size of approximately 1 in (2-3 cm), scale worms can turn their mouth inside-out in order to capture prey more effectively, contributing to their already alien-like appearance.

As the volcanic vents are also believed to exist on Europa, the sixth closest moon of the planet Jupiter, many scientists are hoping to find connection with potential life on other planets, meaning that these alien-looking worms actually might help in discovery of real-life extraterrestrial creatures.

                                    

Due to the complete lack of sunlight, the entire surrounding of these thermal vents produces energy from chemistry rather than photosynthesis, meaning that Polychaetes are hosts to symbiotic bacteria that provides them with nutrients.

Certain factors even indicate that the bacteria is what the worms rely on in order to survive.

Much is yet to be discovered about these scale worms. The fascinating ability to survive and the connection with alien species certainly has left many impatiently waiting for results of further research.

[duroz]

This post about the "Dragonfish" was originally posted by



in the thread "UNICORNS, DRAGONS & ANGELS!! They ARE real! They DO exist! Pics to Prove it!"
on: July 25, 2012, 04:45:41 pm

(quoting jcribb16)
"Wow!  Such differences between the Axolotl and the Deep Sea Scale Worm!  Like you said, one's as ugly as the other is cute, lol.  

The Worm is definitely alien looking, lol.. Maybe now we have figured out where the writers of alien movies get their inspiration from?  

Pokemon's Mudkip being based on the Axolotl is really cute!  He looks so friendly, lol.

Here's one I thought was weird:

'What big teeth!

Imagine living in the sea where it is permanently dark, cold, and food is hard to find. For many animals at depth, it may be weeks to months between meals. If you find something to eat, you have to hang on to it. This is why so many deep-sea fishes have lots of big teeth. This dragonfish, spotted off the coast of Australia, even has teeth on its tongue. They would be terrifying animals … if they weren’t the size of a banana.' "

[kewl4reals]

This post about the "Scale Worm" was originally posted in the thread
"UNICORNS, DRAGONS & ANGELS!! They ARE real! They DO exist! Pics to Prove it!"
on: July 25, 2012, 01:15:28 am

I re-posted two posts from that thread (this one and the following one by jcribb) to start out this new thread about  "monstrous" looking creatures.....

                   

Looking like aliens from another world, these scale worms (Polychaetes) inhabit the depths of around 3200 ft (1000 m) where it is pitch dark and the pressure is immense.

Their ability to survive in most extreme conditions, including both the freezing sub-zero temperatures of the sea floor and the almost 750 °F (400 °C) super-heated waters near the hydrothermal vents makes them capable of survival in basically any conditions found on Earth, which has truly fascinated the scientific community around the globe.

With size of approximately 1 in (2-3 cm), scale worms can turn their mouth inside-out in order to capture prey more effectively, contributing to their already alien-like appearance.

As the volcanic vents are also believed to exist on Europa, the sixth closest moon of the planet Jupiter, many scientists are hoping to find connection with potential life on other planets, meaning that these alien-looking worms actually might help in discovery of real-life extraterrestrial creatures.

                                     

Due to the complete lack of sunlight, the entire surrounding of these thermal vents produces energy from chemistry rather than photosynthesis, meaning that Polychaetes are hosts to symbiotic bacteria that provides them with nutrients.

Certain factors even indicate that the bacteria is what the worms rely on in order to survive.

Much is yet to be discovered about these scale worms. The fascinating ability to survive and the connection with alien species certainly has left many impatiently waiting for results of further research.

wow THose things are amazing looking.  And the fact they can survive in such extreme changes in temperature is almost scary to believe.   

[marcar1008]

The one with google eyes looks like a hand puppet 

ONE inch wow!

[jcribb16]

Hey!  I finally made it in here!  I feel privileged you included my dragonfish - thanks!  I like this thread you've started.

Here's some monster fish.  These are called "Fangtooths" and live in the very deep part of the sea.  I don't think I would want to be anywhere near them, lol.

 

[jcribb16]

Here's a "Big toothed" fish.  The one after that is another dragonfish.

[duroz]

WOWEEEE these are some really spooky looking characters! Can you imagine being in the water and coming face to face with one of these scary creatures??



"NOOooooo.....I don't think I like swimming here any more..."

[duroz]

                   Anglerfish

*Not sure which of the Anglerfish the above picture shows - (I just thought it was a cool pic!!)  I saw this picture many different places, but never a name to go with it.

Anglerfishes are members of the teleost order Lophiiformes ( /ˌlɒfiːəˈfɔrmiːz/).[1] They are bony fishes named for their characteristic mode of predation, considered analogous to angling.

Some anglerfishes are pelagic (live in the open water), while others are benthic (bottom-dwelling). Some live in the deep sea (e.g., Ceratiidae - often called "Sea Devils") and others on the continental shelf (e.g., the frogfishes Antennariidae and the monkfish/goosefish Lophiidae). They occur worldwide. Pelagic forms are most laterally (sideways) compressed whereas the benthic forms are often extremely dorsoventrally compressed (depressed) often with large upward pointing mouths.

The fish are named for their characteristic method of predation. Anglerfish typically have at least one long filament sprouting from the middle of the head; termed the illicium, these are the detached and modified three first spines of the anterior dorsal fin. In most anglerfish species, the longest filament is the first. This first spine protrudes above the fish's eyes, and terminates in an irregular growth of flesh (the esca) at the tip of the spine. The spine is movable in all directions, and the esca can be wiggled so as to resemble a prey animal, and thus to act as bait to lure other predators close enough for the anglerfish to devour them whole. The jaws are triggered in automatic reflex by contact with the tentacle.
                                                     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
People EAT THESE???
In Europe and North America, the tail meat of fish of the genus Lophius, known as monkfish or goosefish (North America), is widely used in cooking, and is often compared to lobster tail in taste and texture. In Asia, especially Korea and Japan, it is a delicacy.
Mmmm....yummy


     
Humpback Anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii)

[jcribb16]

                   Anglerfish

*Not sure which of the Anglerfish the above picture shows - (I just thought it was a cool pic!!)  I saw this picture many different places, but never a name to go with it.

Anglerfishes are members of the teleost order Lophiiformes ( /ˌlɒfiːəˈfɔrmiːz/).[1] They are bony fishes named for their characteristic mode of predation, considered analogous to angling.

Some anglerfishes are pelagic (live in the open water), while others are benthic (bottom-dwelling). Some live in the deep sea (e.g., Ceratiidae - often called "Sea Devils") and others on the continental shelf (e.g., the frogfishes Antennariidae and the monkfish/goosefish Lophiidae). They occur worldwide. Pelagic forms are most laterally (sideways) compressed whereas the benthic forms are often extremely dorsoventrally compressed (depressed) often with large upward pointing mouths.

The fish are named for their characteristic method of predation. Anglerfish typically have at least one long filament sprouting from the middle of the head; termed the illicium, these are the detached and modified three first spines of the anterior dorsal fin. In most anglerfish species, the longest filament is the first. This first spine protrudes above the fish's eyes, and terminates in an irregular growth of flesh (the esca) at the tip of the spine. The spine is movable in all directions, and the esca can be wiggled so as to resemble a prey animal, and thus to act as bait to lure other predators close enough for the anglerfish to devour them whole. The jaws are triggered in automatic reflex by contact with the tentacle.
                                                     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
People EAT THESE???
In Europe and North America, the tail meat of fish of the genus Lophius, known as monkfish or goosefish (North America), is widely used in cooking, and is often compared to lobster tail in taste and texture. In Asia, especially Korea and Japan, it is a delicacy.
Mmmm....yummy


     
Humpback Anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii)

It's hard to imagine something that ugly and monster looking would taste good, lol.

[jnjmolly]

Holy cow!!! These pictures are crazy lol...I never seen anything like some of these photos lol Thanks for sharing!!

[trucktina]

                   Anglerfish

*Not sure which of the Anglerfish the above picture shows - (I just thought it was a cool pic!!)  I saw this picture many different places, but never a name to go with it.

Anglerfishes are members of the teleost order Lophiiformes ( /ˌlɒfiːəˈfɔrmiːz/).[1] They are bony fishes named for their characteristic mode of predation, considered analogous to angling.

Some anglerfishes are pelagic (live in the open water), while others are benthic (bottom-dwelling). Some live in the deep sea (e.g., Ceratiidae - often called "Sea Devils") and others on the continental shelf (e.g., the frogfishes Antennariidae and the monkfish/goosefish Lophiidae). They occur worldwide. Pelagic forms are most laterally (sideways) compressed whereas the benthic forms are often extremely dorsoventrally compressed (depressed) often with large upward pointing mouths.

The fish are named for their characteristic method of predation. Anglerfish typically have at least one long filament sprouting from the middle of the head; termed the illicium, these are the detached and modified three first spines of the anterior dorsal fin. In most anglerfish species, the longest filament is the first. This first spine protrudes above the fish's eyes, and terminates in an irregular growth of flesh (the esca) at the tip of the spine. The spine is movable in all directions, and the esca can be wiggled so as to resemble a prey animal, and thus to act as bait to lure other predators close enough for the anglerfish to devour them whole. The jaws are triggered in automatic reflex by contact with the tentacle.
                                                     - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
People EAT THESE???
In Europe and North America, the tail meat of fish of the genus Lophius, known as monkfish or goosefish (North America), is widely used in cooking, and is often compared to lobster tail in taste and texture. In Asia, especially Korea and Japan, it is a delicacy.
Mmmm....yummy


     
Humpback Anglerfish (Melanocetus johnsonii)

It's hard to imagine something that ugly and monster looking would taste good, lol.

If you think about it, lobsters are pretty gross looking, too. Tasty!

[kay7]

And I thought sharks and jellyfish were why we should be worried in the ocean!  Glad my swimming days are behind me 

[sarabtrayior]

Ugly looking critters and I'm glad they are too far down to see and I'll just stay on land!

[lorettahknox]

I must say that is the creepiest thing I have seen in a while. This is very, very gross. Those are some ugly monsters. What made you get interested in something like this? It's definitely not a regular hobby. Wow!

[duroz]

OK here's a monster (or monsterS, I should say) that is NOT a sea dweller.

I've never been a huge fan of beetles anyway (especially "June Bugs", which apparently are a number of different beetles depending on where you're located), but I know for sure I don't want to encounter any of these!!
Tiger Beetles
 

There are numerous species of Tiger Beetles in the US.  They live along sea and lake shores, on sand dunes, or on clay banks or woodland paths, and are fond of sandy surfaces.

All Tiger Beetle species are predatory. Massive, bulging eyes provide them with great vision, and they seem to wear a facial expression of utter fury. They "sport" gigantic mandibles, which are used to grip, grapple and crush their prey. (The mandibles of the female are smaller than those of the male, but are still PLENTY BIG!!)
Tiger Beetle larvae are also predatory. The larvae live in cylindrical burrows, which can sometimes be fairly deep. They are large-headed, hump-backed grubs that flip backwards to capture prey insects that wander over the ground.

Some species of Tiger Beetles are most active in the hottest, sunniest part of the day. The heat and their long legs allow them to be among the fastest of all insects. Other species are nocturnal.





Largest in size are the Tiger Beetles in the genus Manticora (pictured directly above), growing to MORE THAN 2 INCHES in size!!  

(Oh GEEZ! How CREEPY is THAT!)

Manticora males feature an unusual asymmetry in the mandibles, with the right mandible always much larger than the left. (You can see this in the picture, too)
Having only the right mandible fully enlarged provides them sufficient grip, while maintaining the ability of the smaller (somewhat) left mandible to grip prey.⁽¹⁾

The Manticora Tiger Beetle lives mainly in the South African deserts, and is sometimes referred to as the "African Giant Tiger Beetle."

⁽¹⁾This "big one, little one" mandible thing apparently plays an important part in their mating "technique", also.
                                                       **********************
                                   OK then. Certainly not a bigger fan of beetles now!