The biology of deep-sea life
Welcome to our deep-dive into the abyss! Before we submerge ourselves in the pitch-black waters of the deep ocean, I would love to know a bit more about you to help tailor our journey.
To help me customize this session, what is your background in marine biology, and what specifically interests you about deep-sea life?
I am a complete beginner, I just think deep-sea creatures look cool!
It is wonderful to have you on board! The fact that deep-sea creatures look like bizarre, alien-like works of art is actually what draws so many people to this science. To understand why they look so wonderfully strange, we first have to explore their home: the itself.
Your path
Unique Adaptations of Deep-Sea Life
Deep-Sea Food Webs
Deep-Sea Habitats
The Largest Living Space on Earth
Even though we tend to think of the deep sea as a highly specialized, remote corner of our planet, it is actually the largest habitat on Earth by volume! Because our planet is covered mostly by deep oceans, this cold, dark water makes up over 90% of the livable space on Earth.
However, because it is so difficult for humans to access, scientists estimate that roughly two-thirds of all marine species have yet to be discovered or officially described. Every single time we send research submersibles down, we find species that look completely different from anything we've ever seen.