13. Deep-Sea Anglerfish
Deep-sea anglerfish inhabit the ocean’s abyssal depths, where pressure is hundreds of times greater than at sea level. To survive in this extreme environment, they have developed several remarkable adaptations:
Bioluminescent Lure: A glowing appendage on their heads attracts prey in the perpetual darkness of the deep sea. (enviroliteracy.org)
Flexible Bodies: Their soft, cartilaginous skeletons and lack of swim bladders allow them to withstand immense pressure without being crushed. (iere.org)
Expandable Stomachs: Capable of consuming prey larger than themselves, enabling them to take advantage of infrequent feeding opportunities. (enviroliteracy.org)
These adaptations enable deep-sea anglerfish to thrive in environments where human survival would be impossible. For more information, see Ocean Conservancy.