Surely you will be surprised by the special appearance that is both adorable and scary of sea creatures: pig-beaked squid, velella jellyfish…

When we think of the sea, we often imagine creatures such as whales, dolphins or other ordinary animals. However, the vast ocean contains many wonderful things that we have not yet fully discovered.

Besides the enchantingly beautiful creatures, there also exist animals with terrifying shapes. Each species has many unique characteristics that make the sea always an attractive topic for biologists as well as explorers.

Below are some sea creatures that you have probably never heard of.

1. Pig beak squid

The pig-beaked squid is a small squid of the genus Helicocranchia, living near the ocean surface at a depth of 100 – 200m. The average size of an adult pig-billed squid is about 100mm.

Their bodies are made up of a large funnel with fins that function like small oars. In addition, above the eyes of this squid there are small tentacles that look like curls of hair.

Mature squids during sex will lose a few tentacles and gradually turn red. In its large funnel – or body – contains a spine-like pad.

The three protruding papillae are the internal organs. In addition, pig-beaked squid also have a light-emitting organ located behind their large eyes, helping them move smoothly in pitch-dark conditions.

Currently, scientists are still continuing to learn more about this adorable squid. The most special thing that makes pig-beaked squid different from other squid species is that they swim when their bodies are upside down.

2. Pyura chilensis

Pyura chilensis is a shelled marine animal discovered by Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782. They belong to the class Ascidiacea – invertebrates that cannot move.

P.chilensis wears a thick shell made of cellulose – a solid molecular matrix structure that allows them to attach their internal organs to the inner surface.

But not only is there a rough shell, the inside of this armor is also padded with a layer of cuticle and muscles. The main part of P.chilensis is located in the innermost part.

P.chilensis is often found on low-tide elevations in Chile and Peru. Their bodies have two siphons connected to the outside marine environment, one for inhalation and one for exhalation.

They absorb food by inhaling water, filtering out edible microalgae through the mucus-containing throat, then breathing the water back out to sea through the remaining siphon.

P. chilensis is born male and then, at puberty, becomes hermaphrodite and reproduces by releasing “clouds of sperm and eggs” into the surrounding water.

If the collision between egg and sperm is successful, tadpoles will appear and eventually “settle” into a rock to develop into adults.

P.chilensis’ blood is very pure but contains very high concentrations of a mysterious and rare chemical element called vanadium. These concentrations can be 10 million times higher than levels found in seawater.

However, the question of why and how this animal can accumulate such a large amount of vanadium has not yet been explained by any scientist.

On Chilean beaches, P. chilensis is heavily fished and has become a staple food. Fishermen often use hand saws to cut P.chilensis into thin slices, then use their fingers to separate the flesh from the shell. Their meat can be sold fresh or canned for export.

3. Velella jellyfish

Velella jellyfish (scientific name Velella Velella) is a genus of hydra, living floating on the ocean surface. They also have other names such as “sea raft”, “small sail”…

An adult velella is no more than 7cm long, its body is usually dark green, transparent like cellophane with a small hard sail on top to help it catch the wind and move on the sea surface.

Velella jellyfish are carnivores. They hunt plankton with poisonous tentacles. Although these toxins can harm prey, they have virtually no effect on humans because they cannot pass through the skin.

Velella Velella lives in warm and temperate waters in all oceans worldwide. It never touches or even comes close to the ocean floor, the only stage Velella completely sinks into the water is the larval stage.

4. Christmas tree worm

This species of worm has the scientific name Spirobranchus giganteus, widely distributed throughout the world’s tropical oceans, from the Caribbean to the Indo-Pacific. They are often found “head-first” into large coral reefs on the seabed.

True to the name, the most noticeable special feature of this worm is its two “crowns” that look like two Christmas trees. These pine trees are responsible for transporting any creatures trapped in them into… the worm’s mouth.

In addition, this is also their respiratory organ, working like “gills”. Like other worms, Spirobranchus giganteus has a tubular body, surrounded by many hairs and very small limbs that help it move on coral reefs.

However, this worm is very sedentary, which means that once it has found its favorite spot, it will not move around much. When startled, these Christmas trees can also quickly retreat into the hollows of coral reefs to avoid danger.