Made Of Nightmares: The Creepiest Deep Sea Creatures You'll Be Terrified Of

Made Of Nightmares: The Creepiest Deep Sea Creatures You'll Be Terrified Of

Are you ready for a not-so-fun fact? We’ve actually explored more of outer space than we have our own ocean! Though it sounds like there’s still plenty left to discover—and there is—we’ve also found nightmarish creatures that…

Marina Costa · Oct 24 · 2 min

Maybe We Shouldn’t Explore the Ocean

Are you ready for a not-so-fun fact? We’ve actually explored more of outer space than we have our own ocean! Though it sounds like there’s still plenty left to discover—and there is—we’ve also found nightmarish creatures that belong in the depths of the ocean. From fish with gangly fangs to gigantic bugs, come with us as we venture into the deep!

1. Anglerfish

It’s a never good when a deep-sea creature earns a creepy nickname. What’s otherwise known as the “black seadevil,” this little guy has a bioluminescent lure protruding from its head, allowing it to see in the void. Of course, it also has terrifying teeth, making it easy to see where this guy got its name.

Made Of Nightmares: The Creepiest Deep Sea Creatures You'll Be Terrified Of
Photo: Libby Keatley on Wikimedia

2. Giant Isopod

Isopods have all kinds of different names. Some people call them “potato bugs.” Others call them little armadillos. All in all, they’re pretty harmless basement-dwellers. However, you probably wouldn’t say that about an ispod ten times the size of what you’re used to.

Made Of Nightmares: The Creepiest Deep Sea Creatures You'll Be Terrified Of
Photo: Chan T. Y. & Lin C.W. on Wikimedia

3. Lamprey

These things don’t look like much at first glance. If anything, they only appear like weird worms. It’s when you peek at their faces that the nightmare begins. One look and you’re exposed to cyclical rows of teeth they use to suck their prey dry.

Made Of Nightmares: The Creepiest Deep Sea Creatures You'll Be Terrified Of
Photo: Tiit Hunt on Wikimedia

4. Sea Spider

Sorry, arachnophobes—you’re not even safe in the ocean! Marine anthropods sadly exist, and they stalk the deepest parts of the ocean. Their exact classification remains up for debate, but that doesn’t make them any more pleasant to look at.

Made Of Nightmares: The Creepiest Deep Sea Creatures You'll Be Terrified Of
Photo: Julien Renoult on Wikimedia

5. Goblin Shark

Believe it or not, these guys have been around for over 100 million years, haunting the ocean until they quite literally snap up prey. As if it wasn’t obvious, they also have the fastest jaws around; they’re so quick, their eating is known as “slingshot feeding.”

Made Of Nightmares: The Creepiest Deep Sea Creatures You'll Be Terrified Of
Photo: Pengo on Wikimedia
M
Marina Costa

Tidepool explorer.

Related guides