--- title: Undersea Creatures: 10 Species That Don't Even Look Real description: Photos and gifs of some of the first deepwater scientific observations in the Mariana Archipelago. canonical: https://time.com/4347544/ocean-creatures-mariana-archipelago/ author: Justin Worland article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-06-03T13:10:25.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:50:28.829Z article:section: Science og:title: 10 Stunning Undersea Creatures That Don't Even Look Real og:description: See scientists' recent discoveries in the Mariana Archipelago og:url: https://time.com/4347544/ocean-creatures-mariana-archipelago/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: TIME og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: 10 Stunning Undersea Creatures That Don't Even Look Real twitter:description: See scientists' recent discoveries in the Mariana Archipelago twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltde093bcdab65f2d0/6988d9b9bc6cfc69913e2a3c/time-logo.jpg?branch=production --- # 10 Stunning Undersea Creatures From the Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas > Sponsored content. 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Future Proof is free at time.com/newsletters. ### Sources * TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-futureproof-2026q3/newsletters?i=a41763ef-b19d-4b7b-9e01-13d74eba6965&cr=time-nl-futureproof-2026q3-v1) by [Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/) and [Marisa Gertz](https://time.com/author/marisa-gertz/) Jun 3, 2016 1:10 PM UTC by [Justin Worland](https://time.com/author/justin-worland/) and [Marisa Gertz](https://time.com/author/marisa-gertz/) Jun 3, 2016 1:10 PM UTC The more than 95,000 square miles that make up the [Mariana Archipelago ](http://www.wpcouncil.org/managed-fishery-ecosystems/mariana-archipelago/)are a U.S. national treasure protected by the federal government. But scientists know very little about what lurks beneath the[ ocean](http://time.com/3698572/science-maya-tolstoy-geophysical-research-letters-volcanoes-climate-change/)‘s surface. Now, an [expedition](http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1605/background/plan/welcome.html) of researchers sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is exploring the area and uncovering new species across a wide variety of underwater habitats during a 69-day trip that ends next month. Researchers say that exploring the unique region will help scientists understand how habitats function deep below the ocean’s surface. The region includes reef habitats, deep trench areas with some of the deepest water levels on the planet and underwater mud volcanoes that support unique life forms. ### Dandelion Siphonophore  Dandelion siphonophore, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Gif by Marisa Gertz for TIME The Dandelion Siphonophore may look like one animal but it’s actually a colony of several different organisms working together to provide for each other. Unlike this one, most are linked to the ocean floor. ### Deep Sea Anglerfish  Deep-sea anglerfish, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration Human and marine observers alike may be captivated by the odd growth between the eyes of the anglerfish, pictured here in the pillow basalts. That’s exactly what it wants. The fish uses the lure to attract its prey before eating it in one bite. ### Lepidisis Coral  Lepidisis coral, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration Coral around the world are [dying](http://time.com/4292505/great-barrier-reef-climate-change/?iid=sr-link3) thanks to warm water and human interference. But the _Lepidisis_ coral pictured here appears live and well. And while coral looks like one organism, many are working together seamlessly. ### Enteropneust  Enteropneust (or acorn worm), 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration The enteropneust, also known as an acorn worm, lurks at the bottom of the Sirena Canyon. They are known for the fecal coil they leave behind, as pictured above. ### Basket Star  Basket star, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Gif by Marisa Gertz for TIME This basket star—found in usual proximity to others—may be a new species. Basket stars use their long limbs to capture prey and can grow them back when they break. ### Unidentified Jellyfish  Unidentified jellyfish, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Gif by Marisa Gertz for TIME This jellyfish remains unidentified—if only because it was so quick to flee the NOAA underwater vehicle. Researchers suspect its quick movement was a defense mechanism. ### Predatory Tunicate  Predatory tunicate, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration The predatory tunicate waits for its prey, then envelopes its next meal using its entire body. The process looks somewhat like a venus flytrap capturing prey. ### Parapagurid Hermit Crab  Parapagurid hermit crab, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Gif by Marisa Gertz for TIME At first glance this hermit crab may look like any other, but look closer and you’ll see the creature is using one pair of legs to hold a sea anemone. For this _parapagurus,_ the anemone replaces the shell. ### Stalked Crinoid  Stalked crinoid, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration The flower-like stalked crinoid dates back to the Paleozoic era. ### Deep Sea Holothurian  Deep sea holothurian, 2016 Deepwater Exploration of the Marianas. NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration; Gif by Marisa Gertz for TIME Deep sea holothurians, or sea cucumbers, often look static and lethargic in images. 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