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The deep sea is a hidden wonderland of strange and unusual creatures. The crew of the exploration vessel Nautilus had a glimpse this week of an eel rarely seen, a species of deep-sea fish. Better yet, they caught it like a weird air bag.
Nautilus videos are not only great for visuals, but also for the enthusiastic comments of scientists watching exotic scenes unfold. "It looks like a muppet" is one of the first things we hear when the camera zooms in on the fish.
Later, we see the eel that opens its gigantic mouth, an event that brings out a lot of "whoas" and laughter from scientists, who say: "It was awesome".
The eel captured by video is probably a juvenile, as adults can grow up to 3 feet (about one meter) long. "This pocket-like mouth can swell in an instant, picking up much bigger prey like a pelican," Nautilus team says.
The Nautilus, a project funded by the non-profit organization Ocean Exploration Trust, is currently exploring seamounts in the conservation area of the Papahanaumokuaakea National Marine Monument, near Hawaii.
"The researchers are both interested in the formation of this unusual chain of underwater mountains parallel to the ridge of the Hawaiian Islands, and if these seamounts support vibrant coral and sponge communities," said the researcher. Nautilus team.
The crew of Nautilus may be doing serious science, but there is still room for strange and wonderful creatures that live in the depths.
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