8 incredibly beautiful sea creatures (9 photos)

These animals get less attention than dolphins and whales, but they are also magnificent. And beautiful in some magical way.





Other inhabitants of the sea depths - less known, but no less amazing, also deserve their share of attention and admiration.

1. Nudibranchs



Nudibranches, or as they are more commonly called, sea mollusks, are actually slugs, but don't frown. These soft-bodied mollusks (and there are more than 3,000 species) are true fashionistas of the ocean. They live everywhere: from warm tropical waters to the icy seas of Canada.

Their secret weapon is dazzling colors and intricate patterns. Without a shell, they have to get by: some disguise themselves as corals, others... steal the pigments of their prey, literally absorbing them. Even if the slug is harmless, its coloring screams: "Don't touch me, I'm toxic!" And some of them can dine on those they eat, blending in with their body.

2. Coconut Octopus





The coconut octopus is one of the smartest invertebrates on the planet. Unlike its fellows, it consciously uses tools: shells, coconut shells, and even glass bottles to build shelter from predators.

But even without a "house" it is beautiful. The dark patterned body resembles snake skin, and the light suction cups shimmer when moving. The octopus not only swims, but also walks along the bottom on tentacles, like on stilts.

3. Brittle Star



It glides along the sand like a snake, bends its rays with the grace of a ballerina and can regrow lost limbs. It is a fragile star, a close relative of starfish, but much faster and more elegant.

Its long, thin rays seem delicate, but allow it to move along the bottom with lightning speed. The star has five perfect "arms" radiating from the center like the rays of the morning sun. During the day, it hides among the rocks, and at night it goes in search of food, deftly wielding its five jaws.

4. Mantis shrimp



It is neither a shrimp nor a praying mantis, but it can do something that no other sea creature can do: it hits with the force of a bullet. Speed ​​+ power = its "fists". Mantis shrimps accelerate to 80 km/h in 0.003 seconds (faster than the blink of a human eye). This is enough to crush a crab shell or even aquarium glass - scientists keep them only in armored containers. Its body shimmers with neon shades, and its eyes see 12 times more colors than ours.

5. Leafy sea dragon (sea pegasus)



It looks like a sunken branch of seaweed, but in fact it is a fish, a master of disguise and a distant relative of the seahorse. And also the most elegant creature of Australian waters. Its body is covered with "leaves" that sway in the water, making it indistinguishable from real seaweed.

Despite its luxurious "branches", it swims with the help of almost invisible fins, as if gliding through the water effortlessly. The dragon, like a real chameleon, can change color to perfectly blend in with the environment.

6. Flying Gurnard



It looks like a frivolous sea butterfly, but in fact it is a master of psychological defense. The flying or helmeted gurnard is a fish that, in case of danger, turns its fins into a hypnotizing fan.

Its huge pectoral fins, decorated with blue patterns, suddenly open to scare predators. This is not for flying, but for a spectacular "Boo!" The sea beauty can also "grunt" with the help of its swim bladder (in French, gurnard means "growl"). And, despite its name, it does not fly, but moves in short jerks along the bottom.

7. Polychaete worm (polychaete)



Sea worms - Christmas trees really do look like tiny holiday trees, but in fact they are cunning and hardy creatures that decorate coral reefs around the world.

Their spiral "crowns" can be scarlet, blue, orange and even yellow, like garlands. They spend most of their lives in corals, exposing only their fluffy "branches" to catch plankton. At the slightest danger, they instantly disappear into their burrows. Unlike real Christmas trees, these worms can live up to 40 years, decorating the ocean for decades.

8. Enipniastes eximia (Pink Sea Cucumber)



They call it the headless chicken monster, but in fact it is one of the most mysterious creatures in the ocean - Enipniastes eximia, a deep-sea floating sea cucumber.

Its body is translucent, and its entire digestive tract is visible through its pink skin. Unlike its slow-moving relatives, it glides through the water using membranous growths like wings. Having no brain or eyes, it skillfully cleans the bottom, filtering organic matter. Despite being discovered in the 19th century, it was first filmed in 2017.