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Beyond the midnight zone is yet another region of darkness: the abyssal zone. This deep, dark world begins at a depth of 13,100 feet (4,000 m) and plunges down to 19,700 feet (6,000 m).
Beyond the midnight zone is yet another region of darkness: the abyssal zone. This deep, dark world begins at a depth of 13,100 feet (4,000 m) and plunges down to 19,700 feet (6,000 m).
It's hard to imagine anything could survive here. Yet the ocean floor is dotted with living things. Poking up from the muddy ooze are sea lilies and sea pens-animals that look like flowers, feathers, and fireworks. Fat sea cucumbers trudge across the mud. Crablike animals called sea spiders tiptoe on spindly legs in the search of sea anemones and sponges to eat.
It's hard to imagine anything could survive here. Yet the ocean floor is dotted with living things. Poking up from the muddy ooze are sea lilies and sea pens-animals that look like flowers, feathers, and fireworks. Fat sea cucumbers trudge across the mud. Crablike animals called sea spiders tiptoe on spindly legs in the search of sea anemones and sponges to eat.
Like a lot of animals in the midnight zone, many creatures of the abyss depend on food trickling down from upper layers. This downward drift of dead sea creatures and other bits and pieces is called "marine snow." Sea lilies and sea pens filter marine snow from water. Sea cucumbers slurp it out of the sludgy seafloor.
Like a lot of animals in the midnight zone, many creatures of the abyss depend on food trickling down from upper layers. This downward drift of dead sea creatures and other bits and pieces is called "marine snow." Sea lilies and sea pens filter marine snow from water. Sea cucumbers slurp it out of the sludgy seafloor.
For a long time, oceanographers assumed that most deep-sea life survive on marine snow. Then, in 1977, scientists made an amazing discovery. Instead of finding a barren dessert, scientists discovered a whole new world of life that didn't depend on sunlight for energy. They found cracks in the seafloor that spewed jets of hot water. Around these hydrothermal vents were species of clams, crabs,sea slugs, mussels, shrimp, and worms that nobody had ever seen before.
For a long time, oceanographers assumed that most deep-sea life survive on marine snow. Then, in 1977, scientists made an amazing discovery. Instead of finding a barren dessert, scientists discovered a whole new world of life that didn't depend on sunlight for energy. They found cracks in the seafloor that spewed jets of hot water. Around these hydrothermal vents were species of clams, crabs,sea slugs, mussels, shrimp, and worms that nobody had ever seen before.
Colonies of bacteria live inside giant tube worms, mussels, and clams, making food for them. Octopuses eat the clams and mussels as well as shrimp and crags.
Colonies of bacteria live inside giant tube worms, mussels, and clams, making food for them. Octopuses eat the clams and mussels as well as shrimp and crags.
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