They call it 'chicken monster', but for us it is extraordinary! The rare images of him dancing in the depths

    They call it 'chicken monster', but for us it is extraordinary! The rare images of him dancing in the depths

    A bulbous, red sea creature swims in the waters of the Southern Ocean, east of the South Pole. An animal so far observed in the Gulf of Mexico has left scientists speechless


    He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

    A bulbous, red sea creature swims in the waters of the Southern Ocean, east of the South Pole. An animal so far observed in the Gulf of Mexico has left scientists speechless.




    Its scientific name is Enipniastes eximia, its nickname is "headless chicken monster". It is a sea cucumber, observed thanks to new underwater photography technology developed by Australian researchers. It is shedding light on new species in the Southern Ocean helping to improve their conservation and protection.

    Australian Antarctic Division Program Director Dirk Welsford explained that the cameras are capturing important data that is being fed into the international body that manages the Southern Ocean, the Antarctic Biological Resource Conservation Commission (CCAMLR).

    This tiny creature, one of hundreds of known species of sea cucumber, spends most of its time floating along the seafloor using its tubular fins to feed on surface sediments, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the sea. Australia.

    Apparently clumsy but in reality extremely agile, the Enipniastes eximia knows how to swim but also to move on its fins to escape predators or push itself to the bottom of the ocean. His movements almost seem like a dance.

    Sea cucumbers are an important part of the marine ecosystem. They are considered sea vacuum cleaners due to their ability to clean the seabed by sucking up large amounts of debris. They filter the organic material and leave the clean sand behind them.

    Still, some are on the verge of extinction due to overfishing. Hence the importance of research and direct observation to protect them:

    “The casing that protects the camera and electronics was designed to attach to longlines in the Southern Ocean, so it has to be extremely strong. We needed something that could be thrown over the side of a boat and would continue to function reliably under extreme pressure, in pitch black for extended periods of time. Some of the footage we are shooting with the cameras is breathtaking, including species we have never seen in this part of the world " has explained Dirk Welsford.



    According to Australian CCAMLR Commissioner Gillian Slocum, Australia will continue to lead the most pressing issues affecting the Southern Ocean, including biodiversity conservation, climate change and fisheries management:

    "Australia will return to seek support for the creation of a new marine protected area of ​​East Antarctica."

    The Southern Ocean is home to an incredible abundance and variety of marine life. All species threatened by the changing climate and intensive fishing. For this, we need to run for cover and protect them before it's too late.


    READ also:


    • Sea cucumber: finally there is the decree banning the fishing of sea cucumbers (but until 2019)
    • 10 animals that implement extraordinary strategies to defend themselves

    Francesca Mancuso

    add a comment of They call it 'chicken monster', but for us it is extraordinary! The rare images of him dancing in the depths
    Comment sent successfully! We will review it in the next few hours.