The anglerfish is one of the strangest creatures of the sea. The fish has an unbelievably ugly face, and an odd flashlight-like appendage that it uses to lure in an unsuspecting prey. Recently, researchers detected a deep sea anglerfish in its natural habitat, and the experience was fantastic.
The angler spotted was the Black Sea Devil, and believe us, no one wants to look this thing directly in the face. We can just imagine how small creatures feel when they come face to face with this beast.
Researchers at California's Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute caught the anglerfish on camera 1,900 feet deep in the Pacific Ocean canyon. This is the first time the creature has been caught on camera. These creatures are very elusive, and as such, researchers have found it difficult to locate them whenever they travel to deep-sea areas.
How do anglerfish hunt?
Well, they use the appendage on their heads to lure prey. Once the meal is close enough, the creature opens its large jaws and sucks it in. There is no escape from such a massive jaw, especially since the teeth are sharp and plentiful.
According to a senior scientist at the research institute, Bruce Robison, anglerfish are ambush predators. He also went on to add that this is actually the sixth time the anglerfish has been caught on camera, and the first time in the creature's natural habitat.
Clearly, the Black Sea Devil is one of the rarest animals ever to be seen alive.
For those who want to know more about this creature, let us help out with that because we are experts; OK, not really.
When it comes down to the male and female anglerfish, the female is the largest. The males are tiny compared with the female, and his only worth is to reproduce. Basically, the male attaches itself to the female and becomes one with her.
In such a state, the male can still produce sperm to get the female pregnant for a long time. The whole thing is strange, but very exciting nonetheless. Bear in mind that no other creature reproduces in this way, the anglerfish is unique.
