The marine worm Eulagisca gigantea has recently gone viral online due to its strange appearance. Found in the icy waters of Antarctica, this 20cm-long worm has shimmering golden bristles and a gaping mouth lined with teeth, giving it the appearance of a creature straight out of a sci-fi horror film.
What makes it special? This worm has a retractable throat that extends to reveal sharp teeth, allowing it to feed on carrion or hunt small sea creatures. Its golden bristles may help it swim, crawl, or serve as a defense mechanism. Although it was discovered in 1939, scientists have only studied it briefly.
Eulagisca gigantea is a polychaete worm, belonging to a diverse group of marine worms found in various ocean environments. Although over 8,000 species have been recorded, experts believe many remain to be discovered.
Recently, a viral Facebook post featuring this strange creature has sparked both fascination and fear. While it may seem otherworldly, this type of creature helps scientists study deep-sea biodiversity. With much of the ocean still unexplored, who knows what other strange creatures will be discovered?
