//The Great Deep Blue//
The great oceans are a mystery that humans have studied for a long time and there are still many unknowns at the greatest depths of the ocean. Nobody is entirely sure about just what lies at the very bottom of the sea. I have read over accounts from expeditions at great depths over extended periods, it’s a truly remarkable telling of an aquatic realm that eludes the rest of the world above water. Basic diving has been a great experience for me in the past, educating myself on safety and the science behind it all was greatly beneficial to staying calm. Understanding more about life below water is a vast ‘sea’ of subjects including many organisms that are still being discovered to this very day.
//Deep Creatures//
It would appear that will greater technology and methods to survey ocean depths, even bigger creatures are beginning to emerge. I am not talking about potential Krakens and Megalodon sharks. There are underwater organisms that stretch far and wide, drifting with currents and hunting for food. Siphonophore live under water and are known as a marine species with hundreds of variants. I was slightly surprised reading about a 45 meter organism roaming the waters with video capture proof:
https://twitter.com/i/status/1247231196347674625
- i
Siphonphores are carnivores and feed on various crustaceans and other smaller sea creatures. Some species can inject harmful toxins and cause death in humans. This is just one of the many sea creatures that roam as predators and have natures natural defence built into their very bodies. I have personally seen big sea creatures in the ocean by chance. An eye opening experience that makes one realise that those who inhabit the land are to remain there for a reason, you’re at nature’s mercy when it comes to floating on the waters.
//Giant Wonders//
Deep-sea gigantism is an area I’ve started to have an interest in. It would appear that every account of land or surface water discovered creatures that appear mammoth like in scale came from the depths of the ocean. I had a rough guess around pressure change and temperature but there are two rules that help break down the reason for gigantism in the deep blue:
Kleiber’s rule – A concept of survival where larger animals are known to be more efficient. Depths of the ocean receive a top down food source where there are many layers of other predators chomping away from dropping food, resulting in minimal food sources available. To survive at such depths, efficiency is needed, leading to greater growth in size.
Bergman’s rule – Adaptation of body size based on temperature. Lower temperatures require cells that are larger and feature longer life.
It’s truly fascinating how big some of these creatures grow, and somewhat horrifying.
Sources
https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/invertebrates/giant-squid
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/giant-eerie-string-creature-hunting-food-indian-ocean-180974647/
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-deep-sea-gigantism.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siphonophorae