Creatures of the Deep: Abyssal Gigantism

Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!

What Causes Abyssal Gigantism?

Even scientists are not 100% sure. Abyssal Gigantism is when deep sea creatures grow so much larger than their shallow-water cousins.

Take, for instance, the isopod.

10,000 Species of Isopods

Isopods range in size from micrometers to the size of a small dog. They can even go up to five years without food!

Are Oarfish the stuff of legends?

The oarfish is the LARGEST bony fish in the world. They live at depths of over 3,000 feet. They typically stay in deep waters, AND only surface because they are in the process of dying.

Old legends of gigantic sea serpents like Jörmungandr and the Loch Ness Monster were actual oarfish sightings.

Jörmungandr

Loch Ness Monster

Giant Squid

It wasn’t until 2012 that a giant squid was caught on camera for the first time. In January of 2016, Local fishermen were surprised when they spotted a 12-foot long orange torpedo-like squid meandering its way through the Japanese harbor in Toyama.

Beware of the Japanese Spider Crab

These crabs have a reach that can extend up to 40 feet! Even Robert Ripley, who had circumnavigated the globe was in awe at the sight of one.

Source: Creatures of the Deep: Abyssal Gigantism