THE DEEP SEA IS A TRULY FASCINATING REALM. IT IS AN EXPANSE OF MYSTERY, BEAUTY AND WONDER, WHICH HAS CAPTIVATED US SO MUCH THAT WE DECIDED TO CREATE A HUB FOR ALL THINGS DEEP-SEA-RELATED.
EXPLORE THE UNIQUE LIFE THAT THRIVES HERE BY READING OUR FACT FILES, WATCHING OUR SHORT FILMS, OR BROWSING THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES RELATING TO THE DEEP OCEAN. ENJOY!
These cartilaginous fish are relatives of sharks, and they fulfil similar ecological niches, but in the sea floor ecosystem rather than the open ocean.
The phylum Cnidaria contains around 13,000 living species. Surprisingly simple, yet beautiful organisms, which come in a vast array of shapes and colours.
Of all the animal groups on Earth, the crustaceans are by far the most successful. They are so diverse that they are often called the insects of the oceans.
The 'Deep Sea Explained' is an anthology of films about the broader topics concerning this mysterious and otherworldly ecosystem. The videos cover information relating to deep sea ecosystems, adaptations, exploration and the environment. Accompanying articles can be found by selecting 'read' below.
In this series, we'll take a closer look at the unique creatures that have adapted in weird and wonderful ways to survive the deep sea ecosystem. Accompanying fact files can be found on the Deep Sea Hub.
Most nutrients in the deep sea are supplied by a steady stream of organic debris, known as marine snow. This is made up of dead plankton, animals, and excrement.
Occasionally, something larger appears. A whale carcass will sink to the seabed, where it will support a complex biological community for up to 50 years. Deep sea creatures gather here to make the most of the concentrated store of nutrients, from giant sharks to tiny but fascinating bacteria.