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The week has been long. And next week will not be better. But I urge you to take a break from our freak show on the surface and treat yourself to one of the most amazing things you can see from scientists aboard E / V Nautilus – this incredible eel.
The Nautilus E / V has explored the deep seas since 2008, with the dual purpose of doing science and discovering shit with remotely operated vehicles. On Friday morning, the team skirted a hitherto unexplored area of the Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument in Hawaii – a coral garden filled with strange, sinuous shapes that emerge in the black of ink at 6,200 feet below the surface. But we are not here to talk about it.
We are here to talk about it:
During a dive on Thursday, the team came across an eel (sometimes called pelican eel for obvious reasons if you watch the video). The scientific team has also described it as "muppet of the deep sea".
The video shows a tiny eel that seems pretty drawn from the mill. But with the approach of the ROV, the fun begins. Eels can open their mouth almost as if they were on a hinge, allowing them to absorb a large amount of prey and appear much larger than potential predators.
As the ROV approaches, the eel turns a complete horror film, widening its mouth and waving like an optical illusion. The best part of all this is the reaction of scientists. They are skilled professionals who have seen some very weird stuff and yet they can not help but gasp, laugh and say things like "oh my god".
It's like watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 but without the snark. And for good reason, the deep sea is full of wonder.
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