The Inky Depths #4: Slender Snipe Eel (Deep Sea Duck)
January 24, 2022 11:48 AM Subscribe
What in the wet wonder of the watery world? Wait - a sea duck?!? NO. This is no duck. (How many ducks do you know who have their anus on their throat?) Intriguing, no? Well then slither your slender snipe self into the --->
This is the slender snipe eel, a sea creature that lives over 2,000 meters below the surface, and as far as 4,500 meters (!) deep in the North Atlantic. Reaching lengths of at least 1.3 meters, (but with weights of only a few ounces), they are also flat, transparent, swim with their mouths open (and proud), and have over 700 vertebrae, more than any other animal on the planet.
This species reproduces via broadcast spawning, a process by which females release their eggs and males release their sperm into the water column at the same time. Scientists believe that individuals of this species only spawn once and then die, a life history strategy characteristic of the Pacific salmons, freshwater eels, and some other species as well.
Additional photos:
Fishbase photo from Italy, undated, and with helpful pencil for reference size
Dark and handsome Fishbase photo from Italy, 1989
Previously:
The Inky Depths #3: Pink See-Through Fantasia (Headless Chicken Monster)
The Inky Depths #2: Wobbegong (Carpet Shark)
The Inky Depths #1: The Whalefish
This is the slender snipe eel, a sea creature that lives over 2,000 meters below the surface, and as far as 4,500 meters (!) deep in the North Atlantic. Reaching lengths of at least 1.3 meters, (but with weights of only a few ounces), they are also flat, transparent, swim with their mouths open (and proud), and have over 700 vertebrae, more than any other animal on the planet.
This species reproduces via broadcast spawning, a process by which females release their eggs and males release their sperm into the water column at the same time. Scientists believe that individuals of this species only spawn once and then die, a life history strategy characteristic of the Pacific salmons, freshwater eels, and some other species as well.
Additional photos:
Fishbase photo from Italy, undated, and with helpful pencil for reference size
Dark and handsome Fishbase photo from Italy, 1989
Previously:
The Inky Depths #3: Pink See-Through Fantasia (Headless Chicken Monster)
The Inky Depths #2: Wobbegong (Carpet Shark)
The Inky Depths #1: The Whalefish
When I was a kid the Sea Duck was second only to the Millenium Falcon when it came to cool ships/planes.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 12:22 PM on January 24, 2022
posted by RonButNotStupid at 12:22 PM on January 24, 2022
Ooh another cool thing! up to 750 vertebrae!
Though, it is sad to see the one lying dead next to the pencil. : /
posted by Glinn at 12:34 PM on January 24, 2022
Though, it is sad to see the one lying dead next to the pencil. : /
posted by Glinn at 12:34 PM on January 24, 2022
Sometimes when you go snipe hunting, you find one. Go Sea Ducks!
posted by winesong at 3:26 PM on January 24, 2022
posted by winesong at 3:26 PM on January 24, 2022
Ugh!! Thank you!
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 3:30 PM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 3:30 PM on January 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
you had me at "anus"
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 4:02 PM on January 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 4:02 PM on January 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
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posted by The Tensor at 12:03 PM on January 24, 2022 [2 favorites]