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The Antarctic worm with teeth that will haunt your dreams
Its bristles, which glow a metallic gold, may serve multiple purposes—swimming, defense, or crawling along the seafloor. However, much about this deep-sea species remains a mystery, as scientists have not extensively studied its biology or behavior since it was first identified in 1939, according to the World Register of Marine Species.
Deep-Sea Diversity
Polychaete worms, the group to which this creature belongs, are incredibly diverse. Found in environments ranging from shallow coral reefs to extreme hydrothermal vents, these worms come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) reports that there are 80 known families and over 8,000 species of polychaete worms, though researchers believe the actual number may be much higher.
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