A relative of the catfish, the swai fish has become one of the most common whitefish in the United States. Even if you have never heard of swai fish, you have probably eaten it. At around two dollars per pound, this fish is one of the cheapest edible fish (compared with $10-20 per pound for many other common species of edible fish).

Swai fish is <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2009/01/what-the-heck-is-swai/index.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">native to the Mekong river in Southeast Asia</a>. However, most swai fish comes from Vietnam, where they are farmed in the Mekong Delta. These fish farms are poorly regulated, leading to various issues. The mass production of these fish not only has environmental consequences, but may be detrimental to your health.

This fish goes by many different names. It was originally marketed as “Asian catfish.” The swai fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) is a close relative of the American catfish (in the family Ictaluridae). However, it is in a different family than American catfish. In 2003, the US FDA passed a law that “catfish” only refers to members of the family Ictaluridae. This has led to a wide variety of names for swai, and some confusion as to what exactly swai is.

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[caption id="attachment_1874564" align="alignnone" width="624"]<img class="wp-image-1874564 size-full" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Mekong_delta.jpg" alt="An aerial photo of the Mekong delta." width="624" height="624" /> The Mekong Delta in Vietnam.[/caption]

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<h2>A Fish With Many Names</h2>
The reclassification of “Asian catfish” has made identifying swai more complex. Stores sell <a href="https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/10/22/5-things-you-didnt-know-swai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> swai under many different names</a>, including iridescent shark, basa, tra, and sutchi. These names are misleading since swai is not a shark or a true basa fish. Many of these names are also used for other related species of fish.

Swai also goes by the far more generic name of “fish.” Many restaurants that serve dishes simply described as “fish” such as fish sandwiches or fish tacos may be serving swai. Swai is a white fish, like cod and halibut, but costs a fraction of the price. For this reason, swai is one of the most common food fish in the United States. In <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713516300172" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">one study</a>, 67% of dishes containing unspecified fish contained swai.

The many different names for this fish, as well as the overlap with other species, makes it difficult to know exactly what you are getting, even when they are marketed honestly. However, honest marketing isn’t always a certainty either.

&nbsp;
<h2>These Are Not The Fish You Are Looking For</h2>
Adding to the confusion caused by Swai’s many names are intentionally mislabeled fish. Because swai is so cheap, passing it off as another fish is very profitable. The many steps from fish farms in Vietnam to your table make it difficult to know with certainty that your fish is what it is sold as.

A Virginia company marketed $15.5 million of swai as sole, grouper, and flounder. Though <a href="https://draxe.com/swai-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the owner received a 5-year jail sentence</a>, other companies may also be misleading customers.

&nbsp;
<h2>Is Swai Safe to Eat?</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1874565" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/catfish-1798834.jpg" alt="A catfish filet" width="1920" height="931" />

People have many concerns about the safety of eating swai fish. The industrial farming of this fish and the lack of regulation in this industry has serious consequences. Raising fish in dense pools causes many sanitation and health issues. In addition, the industrial processes involved expose the fish to toxins. Though some argue <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/farming-fish-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">farmed fish prevent overfishing</a>, most of their diet comes from small wild fish. In addition, fish farming in the Mekong delta disrupts the local ecosystem. The added food, waste, and chemicals are detrimental to the delta's natural ecology.

&nbsp;
<h3>Food Poisoning</h3>
The most direct threat from poor-quality food is food poisoning. This term refers to a wide <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/most-common-types-of-food-poisoning/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">variety of infections that can be transmitted by food</a>. The severity of food poisoning varies, but it is never a good time.

Farmed swai has a greater risk of causing food poisoning due to their dense farming conditions. Just like in all species, living in close quarters increases the risk of infectious disease. In one study, researchers found Vibrio bacteria contaminating <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25907121" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">70-80% of tested swai imports</a>. This form of food poisoning causes severe gastrointestinal distress.

&nbsp;
<h3>Antibiotics</h3>
Pharmaceuticals and disinfectants are used to combat the risks associated with farming fish. Because of the infections that these farms are prone to, large doses of de-wormers, antibiotics and other drugs are fed to the fish. Though this decreases the amount of bacteria, it also exposes the consumer to these drugs. Many of these compounds are not approved for use in humans.

Far more dangerously, the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antimicrobial-resistance-policies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">uncontrolled use of antibiotics</a> poses an existential threat to humanity. Bacteria evolve very quickly and are <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/antimicrobial-resistance-worldwide/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">becoming immune to our antibiotics</a>. The more antibiotics that are used, the more quickly these pathogens become resistant. Letting <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/rivers-polluted-antibiotics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">antibiotics leach into rivers</a> just multiplies this problem.

Antibiotics changed the face of medicine and made many previously terminal illnesses easily treatable. Since this time, the world population has more than tripled and cities have become far denser. A large, antibiotic-resistant epidemic in our globalized world would be deadly on an unimaginable scale.

&nbsp;

To sum things up, swai fish is an extremely affordable edible fish. It has become increasingly common in the United States. However, the farming of these fish in Vietnam involves some questionable practices. The exposure of these fish to pharmaceuticals and bacteria may make their low price a bad deal in the long-run.

&nbsp;

What Is a Swai Fish?

A relative of the catfish, the swai fish has become...

To help answer the question, what is the hadal zone? let's first looks to where its name comes from. In Greek mythology, the god Hades rules over the dark underworld, where the dead spend eternity. This world is hostile and remote, guarded by the Three-Headed-Hound of Hades, Cerberus. The river Styx surrounds Hades. Entering Hades is an irreversible move.

In the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, the living Orpheus enters Hades in an attempt to save his lover, Eurydice. He makes it out with his life, thanks to his beautiful music, but is unable to save Eurydice.

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_1874302" align="alignnone" width="1256"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1874302" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Watts_George_Frederic_Orpheus_And_Eurydice.jpg" alt="A painting of Orpheus looking back at Eurydice in Hades" width="1256" height="900" /> Watts George Frederic - Orpheus And Eurydice[/caption]

&nbsp;

The myth of Hades has many parallels with the deepest reaches of our oceans. They are both extremely remote and dark. Only three people in history have seen them in person. Marine biologists hope to save these depths from destruction before it is too late. Much like Orpheus, they are seeking to save something precious that has been beyond the reach of humanity. Modern technology is just now beginning to enable us to truly understand and try to protect these rare Hadal habitats. With dedicated conservation, humanity may be able to prevent this story from ending like that of Orpheus and Eurydice.

&nbsp;
<h2>The Hadal Zone Is the Deepest Reaches of the Ocean</h2>
This imagery of a remote dark world deep beneath the surface makes Hades a perfect analogy for the deepest reaches of the ocean. The open (pelagic) ocean is divided up <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/how-deep-is-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">into five zones, based upon depth</a>. In each zone, less sunlight from the surface filters through. In the third zone, <a href="http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/ocean-layers.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the bathyal zone</a>, no light penetrates except for rare exceptions. It is also called the midnight zone, or the dark zone. This stretches from one to four kilometers (3,300-13,000 ft) below the surface of the ocean.

The hadal zone (separated from the bathyal by the even darker abyssal zone) starts at the ocean floor, around six kilometers below sea level. It consists only of trenches formed by the movements of the earth’s tectonic plates. At the deepest (in the Mariana trench) these stretch to 11km below sea level.

This final 5 km of the depths of the ocean represents 45% of the ocean's depth. Though these areas small, isolated regions, the life in them is unique from the rest of the ocean.

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_1874301" align="alignnone" width="1624"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1874301" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Earth_seafloor_crust_age_1996_-_2.jpg" alt="A map of the seafloor showing the age of differnt parts of the Earth's crust" width="1624" height="1020" /> The age of the seafloor crust. Newer regions are red.[/caption]

&nbsp;

There are 46 trenches in the ocean that make up the entire hadal zone. <a href="https://web.whoi.edu/hades/all-about-trenches/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">84% of these are found in the Pacific Ocean</a>. The tectonic activity of the so-called “ring of fire” formed by the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/slow-earthquakes-tsunami-generation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">subduction zone of the Pacific and Eurasian continental plates</a> allows for these deep cuts in the ocean to form.

&nbsp;
<h2>Life in the Dark</h2>
Though it was once believed that life without light was impossible, it is now clear that even the hadal zone is full of life. Many unique and unusual creatures fill these extreme depths. Humans have never seen many of these species. They defy the odds by living in a hostile environment, under extreme pressure, near-freezing waters with few nutrients and absolute darkness.

Though much of the life in the deep sea remains unknown, our understanding of this unique biome is growing. Many unique groups of species have been identified at these depths. A few groups dominate life in these depths.

Amphipods are crustaceans similar to shrimp and lobsters. They feed on detritus, the material that slowly floats down from species dying in the water above. These species <a href="https://sciencing.com/deep-ocean-plants-13427770.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">have been found as deep as 9.1 km</a> (about 30,000 feet) below the surface.

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_1874303" align="alignnone" width="1280"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1874303" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Catalogue_of_the_Indian_decapod_Crustacea_in_the_collection_of_the_Indian_museum_.._1901-_20394565419.jpg" alt="Drawingd of decapods from early scientific descriptions" width="1280" height="711" /> A decapod[/caption]

&nbsp;

Predators also venture into the depths. Scientists have found Decapods, another group of crustaceans, as deep as 7 km (23,000 feet.) This group includes crayfish, shrimp and crabs. At these depths, a <a href="https://nerc.ukri.org/planetearth/stories/179/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">rare species, Benthescymus crenatus</a> dominates these communities. They hunt the Amphipods that live here.

Even in these depths, there are select species of fish. Researchers have seen the hadal snailfish <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia/animal/pseudoliparis-amblystomopsis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pseudoliparis amblystomopsis</a> as deep as 8 km (27,000 feet) below the surface. These <a href="http://lakeerieimprovement.org/2018/10/26/knowing-whats-underneath-10-facts-about-the-hadal-zone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">observations were made in the Japan Trench by the Hakuho-Maru submersible</a>. Below this, <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-is-proteomics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">essential proteins</a> for fish cannot function, so no fish can survive.

Our understanding of the ecology of the hadal zone is still in its infancy. Scientists have made very few observations, and it is likely that they will find new species.

&nbsp;
<h2>Exploration of the Hadal Zone</h2>
The deepest points of the ocean are hostile not only to life, but also to technology. These extreme depths are extremely difficult to study. Fewer people have seen these depths than have been to the surface of the moon!

Humans have reached the deepest known point in the ocean, the Challenger Deep, only twice. In 1960 Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh made the first trip. <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/03/120325-james-cameron-mariana-trench-challenger-deep-deepest-science-sub/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Canadian director James Cameron completed the second trip in 2012</a>.

New research using remote submersibles is now possible using advanced technology. The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute developed the Nereus remotely operated vehicle. This submersible is enabling <a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/expeditions/to-hades-and-back-exploring-the-deepest-part-of-the-ocean/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">the first broad survey of life</a> in these hadal trenches.

&nbsp;
<h2>Islands Below the Sea</h2>
The ecology of hadal trenches is unique for many reasons. It’s remoteness and extreme conditions are inhospitable to all but a few rare and specialized species, seen nowhere else on earth. The borders of these trenches create something like an island. Almost no species can move between these trenches.

We see this sort of isolation in other ecosystems. For example, islands and mountain tops are similarly isolated. Because of this, the species that inhabit them are unique. The <a href="https://www.earth.com/image/the-galapagos-islands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Galapagos islands</a> that Darwin studies are an example of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-species-two-generations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">rapid evolution that this allows</a>. The isolation of hadal trenches <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/46310608/Hadal_trenches_the_ecology_of_the_deepes20160607-12333-14nb77i.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">leads to the same type of reproductive isolation</a>. This means that understanding the diversity and ecology of these ecosystems requires a more exhaustive search than the few isolated snapshots we have.

&nbsp;
<h2>Human Impacts on the Hadal Zone</h2>
&nbsp;
<h2><img class="size-full wp-image-1874304 alignnone" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Beach_trash_30870156434.jpg" alt="Trash on a beach" width="1800" height="1200" /></h2>
&nbsp;

Despite its extreme remoteness, even these depths are not immune to human waste. Everything from beer cans and microplastics slowly settles from the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/clean-ocean-plastic-threaten-species/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">islands of trash on the surface</a>. The legacy of nuclear testing is apparent in the form of <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/bomb-carbon-found-ocean-trench" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">carbon-14 isotopes in deep-sea organisms</a>. This reveals how quickly pollutants enter deep sea organisms through the food-web.

These ecosystems are delicate, unknown, and extremely unique. Protecting them from human activity is essential to ensuring that we can at the very least identify the species that live there before they go extinct. With more knowledge comes the power to protect these ecosystems. It may now be impossible to know what these environments would have looked like without human impacts. We can, however, slow this damage through a global commitment to minimizing the pollution of our oceans.

&nbsp;

What Is the Hadal Zone?

To help answer the question, what is the hadal zone?...

Deep below the ocean floor exists an unearthly biome that was unknown to science until 1977: hydrothermal vents. These alien landscapes are home to superheated water, billowing clouds of toxic chemicals, and strange life that exists nowhere else on earth.

&nbsp;
<h2>What Causes Hydrothermal Vents?</h2>
Hydrothermal vents typically form at locations called mid-ocean ridges. These are giant underwater mountain ranges formed when two <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/tectonic-plates-less-stable/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tectonic plates</a> slowly move away from each other. In their absence, new land called crust forms. These ridges form the l<a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/midoceanridge.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ongest mountain range on earth</a> spanning 65,000 kilometers. To date, the <a href="https://vents-data.interridge.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">InterRidge Database</a> has record of over 500 vent sites. They are scattered around the globe, and typically found in locations where there is also existing volcanic activity.

Deep below the surface of these forming mountain ranges is the material for new earth: magma. Seawater is able to leak down through cracks and porous rock, eventually coming into contact with this magma - which is often over 1000 degrees Celsius. This water becomes superheated and flows upwards towards the boundary between the tectonic plates. Sometimes this water can attain temperatures in excess of <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/vents.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">700 degrees Celcius as it exits the vent</a>. As this water rises, is also takes with it dissolved chemicals.

&nbsp;
<h2>Types of Hydrothermal Vents</h2>
Hydrothermal vents can be broadly divided into two categories: black smokers and white smokers. Each is named for the characteristic color of the smoke that they emit which contains a specific profile of minerals. Black smokers are typically found in the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/bathyal-zone" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bathyal zone</a> (a division of the ocean from 1000 to 4000 meters below the surface) most commonly between 2500 to 3000 meters down. The characteristic black color comes from the high content of sulfur-containing compounds, called sulfides. When these dissolved particles make contact with cold surrounding ocean water, they precipitate out of solution and form giant black chimneys far underwater. 

White smokers are similar to their black counterparts but are typically much older. Their characteristic white color comes from dissolved minerals that are lighter in color including calcium, silicon, and barium. White smokers are usually slightly cooler, and the vents are <a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-642-11274-4_1691" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">‘off-axis.’</a> This means that they are located slightly away from the mid-ocean ridges from which they get their energy. 

&nbsp;
<h2>Home to Strange Life</h2>
The water and ocean floor surrounding hydrothermal vents are one of the most unique biomes that exist on earth. The combination of hot water temperatures and unique dissolved minerals gives rise to species that exist nowhere else on earth. Let’s take a look at some of the animals that call this place home.

&nbsp;

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1874027" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/awdfaw-1024x576.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="576" />
<h2>Giant Tube Worm</h2>
This worm (<a href="http://faculty.montgomerycollege.edu/gyouth/FP_examples/student_examples/sathya_ramachandran/tubeworms.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Riftia pachyptila</a>) was discovered on the <a style="font-size: 16px;" href="https://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/feature/the-discovery-of-hydrothermal-vents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">original 1977 expedition</a> that discovered hydrothermal vents off the coast of the Galápagos Islands. Colonies of worms live next to the vents - they thrive in moderate temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. The worms live up to their namesake, sometimes growing as long as eight feet. They do not have mouths or digestive tracts, but instead rely on a <a style="font-size: 16px;" href="https://www.earth.com/news/simplest-organisms-symbiosis-bacteria/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">symbiotic relationship</a> with bacteria that live inside of them. The bacteria break down the chemicals released from the hydrothermal vents and produce organic molecules that the worms can use for energy.

&nbsp;

<img class="size-full wp-image-1874028" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/awdfa.jpg" alt="yeti crab Kiwaidae" width="1000" height="1000" />
<h2>Yeti Crab</h2>
Named for their characteristic <a href="http://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/sites/default/files/articles/pdf/z2005n4a3.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">white body and hairy arms</a>, the yeti crabs (Kiwaidae) are a family of crustaceans that live next to hydrothermal vents. They were <a href="http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20170412-in-the-deep-sea-there-live-crabs-that-look-like-yetis" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">discovered in 2005</a> off the coast of Easter Island in the south Pacific, and since then, several species belonging to the family have been identified. One of the oddest behaviors of the crabs is that they do not live in solidarity. Because the zone that they are capable of living in is so small, scientists have estimated their population density to be roughly <a href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0127621" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">700 crabs per square meter</a> near some vents.

&nbsp;

<img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-1874029" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/dafa-1024x768.jpg" alt="hydrothermal vent octopus" width="1024" height="768" />
<h2>Antarctic Octopus</h2>
This deep-sea swelling cephalopod (Vulcanoctopus hydrothermalis) is very different from its more temperate family members. First of all, like many deep ocean creatures, <a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/octopus-chronicles/why-is-the-new-deep-sea-antarctic-octopus-so-pale/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">it doesn’t have any pigmentation</a>. There is no need to blend into its surroundings when potential predators can't see their prey. Secondly, there is no evidence that V. hydrothermalis has an ink sac. Unlike a classic movie octopus, it is not able to spray a plume of dark ink while it gets away. This is likely due to the confined habitat where the octopus lives. Too close to the vents, and it will fry, too far away, and it can die of hypothermia.

&nbsp;
<h2>Important Deep-Sea Ecosystems</h2>
Why do we even care about these strange ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them? Hydrothermal vents are important for many reasons. Firstly, they help to move energy, in the form of heat, from the earth’s interior to its surface. In the process, these events can also help to <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/know-your-ocean/ocean-topics/seafloor-below/hydrothermal-vents/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">regulate global ocean chemistry</a>. As we’ve seen, they also provide a home for rich and complex ecosystems of creatures that exist nowhere else on planet earth. By gaining a better understanding of how life survives in such harsh conditions, scientists hope to one day better understand how life could live in distant parts of our solar system - like Mars and beyond.

&nbsp;

What Are Hydrothermal Vents? An Unlikely Home

Deep below the ocean floor exists an unearthly biome that...

The deep sea is one of the most alien, inhospitable places on planet Earth. With pressures that could easily squish any terrestrial being and temperatures that would make an Arctic winter seem balmy, the deep ocean shouldn’t be able to harbor any life. But, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/new-device-deep-ocean-fish/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">life always finds a way</a>.

We know less about the deepest parts of our oceans than we do about outer space! The bottom of the sea might as well be another planet. The animals that have evolved to live there certainly look like they're not from Earth, and they have developed some pretty far-out and strange ways to survive. Some of the world’s weirdest animals live in the deep sea. Here’s our list of the 5 strangest deep sea creatures!

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_1872957" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-1872957 size-large" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/deep-sea-anglerfish-1024x578.jpg" alt="anglerfish" width="1024" height="578" /> Photo by <a href="https://www.montereybayaquarium.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Monterey Bay Aquarium </a>[/caption]
<h2>Anglerfish</h2>
One of the scariest looking deep sea creatures is the <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-is-an-anglerfish/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">anglerfish</a>. This demon-like fish is aptly named for the glowing lure that protrudes from its forehead. The anglerfish uses the fleshy growth to attract prey before chowing down with its incredibly long teeth. The glowing part of the lure is produced by bioluminescent bacteria encased in the tip.

Perhaps the strangest thing about the anglerfish is its mating ritual. Males are much, much smaller than females. They spend their whole life searching for a mate. Once they find a female, they latch on with their mouth and eventually fuse their whole body to their mate! Without attaching themselves to a female, a male anglerfish will never even reach adulthood.

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[caption id="attachment_1873279" align="alignnone" width="350"]<img class="wp-image-1873279 size-full" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/barreleye1-350.jpg" alt="Barreleye" width="350" height="248" /> Photo by <a href="https://www.mbari.org/barreleye-fish-with-tubular-eyes-and-transparent-head/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MBARI</a>[/caption]
<h2>Barreleye</h2>
The barreleye is one of the most alien looking creatures in the ocean. At first glance, you may notice that this fish doesn’t have eyes. After all, who needs to see when you live in almost pitch-black waters? Upon closer inspection, the barreleye has two massive, neon green spheres in the middle of its clear skull. What are those you ask? They're eyes! Turns out, barreleye has two eyes that are locked in position, always looking up through its transparent head. This funny fish scans the waters above, looking for shadows that move above it in order to find its prey.

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_1873280" align="alignnone" width="999"]<img class="wp-image-1873280 size-full" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/vampire-squid.jpg" alt="vampire squid" width="999" height="749" /> Photo by <a href="https://www.mbari.org/vampire-squid-live-long-and-reproduce-often/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">MBARI</a>[/caption]
<h2>Vampire squid</h2>
Unlike its name implies, the vampire squid doesn’t <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/vampire-bats-live-blood/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">suck blood</a>. It barely has suckers on its tentacles at all, even. The name of this squid comes from its intense red eyes and the cloak-like structure of its tentacles. The eyes of a vampire squid are the largest of any animal in the world, relative to its body size.

The depth at which this squid lives is called the “oxygen minimum zone”, and lacks enough oxygen to support aerobic metabolism. In theory, a squid shouldn’t be able to survive in this zone. Yet, the vampire squid doesn’t seem to care, and thrives in it!

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_1873281" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img class="wp-image-1873281 size-large" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Megamouth_shark-1024x683.jpeg" alt="megamouth shark" width="1024" height="683" /> Photo by <a href="http://divemagazine.co.uk/eco/6730-weird-ones-megamouth-shark" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tom Haight/Seapics.com</a>[/caption]
<h2>Megamouth shark</h2>
The Megamouth shark is one of the rarest animals in the world. It was only observed for the first time in 1979, and has been seen fewer than 100 times since then! It’s been seen (or accidentally caught) in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans, as well as off the southern coast of South Africa. For how rare this animal is, it’s certainly strange how large its range is.

Very little is known about the megamouth shark. Due to its enormous mouth and small teeth, it’s believed that the shark swims with its jaws wide open to catch plankton, like other <a href="https://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/filter-feeding1.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">filter feeders</a>. The fact that so little is known about the megamouth shark makes it one of the strangest deep sea creatures.

&nbsp;

[caption id="attachment_1873282" align="alignnone" width="800"]<img class="wp-image-1873282 size-full" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/hagfish.jpg" alt="hagfish" width="800" height="600" /> Photo by <a href="https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-pacific-hagfish-eptatretus-stoutii-captive-41915330.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mark Conlin / Alamy</a>[/caption]
<h2>Hagfish</h2>
The hagfish is a slippery, eel-like fish that lives on the seafloor. It’s the only living animal with a skull, but no vertebral column. If that’s not strange enough, the hagfish is infamous for the slime it produces from glands that run along its long body. When caught by a predator, or held by a human, the hagfish will secrete an unwieldy amount of mucus from its body. This allows it to slip free and escape. A single hagfish can quickly produce a whopping 20 liters (5.5 gallons) of slime! But how does this fish produce more slime than its own body can physically hold? That’s because the slime actually expands in water, of course! The slime of a hagfish once caused a one-of-a-kind, <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/07/hagfish-slime-oregon-highway/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">slippery disaster on a highway in Oregon</a>.

So, why was a truck hauling hagfish anyways? Well, they were on their way to be eaten in Asia! That’s right, the hagfish keeps getting stranger. The slimy fish is actually a delicacy in Japan and Korea, and apparently cooking the fish in its own slime is the way to go.

&nbsp;

5 Strangest Deep Sea Creatures

The deep sea is one of the most alien, inhospitable...

The anglerfish lives in the deep, dark parts of the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans. There are over <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/group/anglerfish/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">200 different species </a>of Anglerfish. Some can live in shallow, tropical waters, while others live in the murky depths of the sea, up to a mile below the water’s surface. Its scientific order is Lophiiformes.  Show a photo of an anglerfish to a young kid and they probably won’t be too worried about the monster under the bed anymore.

&nbsp;

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1872955 size-full" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Humpback_Anglerfish_Melanocetus_Johnsonii.jpg" alt="anglerfish" width="640" height="361" />

&nbsp;
<h2>Anglerfish Appearance </h2>
There’s no way around it, the anglerfish is a terrifying creature to look at. With sharp, translucent teeth, enormous pac-man mouths, and a large head, the female anglerfish is often compared to the size of a basketball. They’re carnivorous and can weigh up to <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/group/anglerfish/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">110 pounds</a>. 

One of the more distinct physical features of the anglerfish is its “lure.” Found only on females, this lure is a stem-like piece of the dorsal fin that looks remarkably like a fishing lure. The very tip of the lure is luminescent flesh. This is how the anglerfish draw prey. This luminescence is <a href="https://oceana.org/marine-life/ocean-fishes/deep-sea-anglerfish" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">caused by the interactions of millions of bacteria.</a> The female angler fish also has a muscular flap that can hide the light of the lure. The anglerfish pulses the light and moves the fin around, drawing in other fish. This is also how the anglerfish attracts mates.

&nbsp;
<h2>Males, Females, and Mating</h2>
Males are significantly smaller than females. They are permanently parasitic mates and will latch onto the body of a female with its sharp teeth. Eventually, the male body will dissolve into the female fish, fusing with her skin and bloodstream. In many species of anglerfish, the male fish will lose its eyes and internal organs (except the testes, of course, those will still be needed…). Up to six males might be simultaneously fused to a  single female fish’s body. Quite a useful technique if you think about it - in such dark habitats it’s best to hang on tight once you’ve found a mate.

&nbsp;

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1872956 size-large" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/maxresdefault-1024x576.jpg" alt="anglerfish" width="1024" height="576" />

&nbsp;
<h2>Anglerfish Adaptations </h2>
While the lure is obviously a huge advantage in the darkest corners of our world, that’s not all the anglerfish is using to survive in such an intense place. Studies have found that while the anglerfish is a fairly fast swimmer when retreating, it<a href="https://bioone.org/journals/copeia/volume-2008/issue-2/CE-07-075/iIn-Situ-i-Observations-of-a-Deep-sea-Ceratioid-Anglerfish/10.1643/CE-07-075.short" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> drifts up to 74% of the time. </a>This technique (as well as the way the anglerfish swims forward) could be considered lethargic. However, this behavior is actually ideal for the energy-deficient environment of the deep sea. 

Another terrifyingly cool fact? Not only does the female anglerfish often consume their mates, but they also swallow prey up to twice their own size. The anglerfish can extend its jaw and stomach, <a href="http://www.seasky.org/deep-sea/anglerfish.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">allowing the fish to store food</a> until the next time a meal comes around - which could be a while.

&nbsp;

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1872954 size-full" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/sea-toad-62916_960_720.jpg" alt="anglerfish" width="960" height="688" />

&nbsp;
<h2>Creatures of Mystery</h2>
It’s easy to look up at the stars and wonder at the vast expanse of the universe above us. It is also true that a vast expanse exists right here on earth, <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/map-ocean-floor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">beneath the surface of the ocean</a>. The anglerfish is just one example of the mysterious creatures that have evolved to survive in an abyss of depth and darkness. So while this species might visit your nightmares and redefine your conception of ugly, the anglerfish is also a fascinating example of the <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/ocean-acidification-consequences/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">diversity of our planet</a> and the mysteries still lurking in the oceans today.  

&nbsp;

What Is an Anglerfish?

The anglerfish lives in the deep, dark parts of the...

Royal Gramma side on, next to star coral

The Royal Gamma (Gramma loreto) is a species of fish that is found naturally in the waters of the Bahamas, Venezuela, and the Lesser Antilles. It is widely popular in the aquarium trade. It is an ideal fish for most reef aquariums containing coral and other invertebrates. Although they can become aggressive towards other fish when kept in smaller tanks.

The Royal Gamma is dark purple which fades to yellow in the back. It is similar to the False Gamma, with the exception of the fins. False gamma has clear fins, whereas the Royal gamma does not. Also, the False gamma has a distinct color that does not fade. The Royal Gamma averages about 3 inches long and has been bred to live in tanks. It is a carnivorous fish and will eat most meat-based diets.
Photo Copyright and Credit

What is Royal Gamma?

The Royal Gamma (Gramma loreto) is a species of fish...

Bright,Blue,Poisonous,Frog

The animal kingdom of Planet Earth is a wild and wondrous place - but it is often a dart or sting away from danger. We've all heard stories, and perhaps lived the realities, of encountering poisonous animals, venomous creatures, and monstrous organisms. 



These creatures dominate folklore, pop culture, horror stories, and even experimental medical treatments and spiritual practices. It is a bubbling cauldron of toxic possibilities and necessary caution. 



However, the terms venomous and poisonous are often thrown about quite casually - and interchangeably. This leads to confusion and misunderstanding - and to stay safe, it's important to stay informed, too.&nbsp;



Today we're taking a look at the definitions of venomous and poisonous - where they overlap and how they differ. 



We're going to look at what happens with venom and poison to cause fatal results in the bodies of ill-fated, curious passers-by, and focus on some examples of harrowing venomous, poisonous organisms that enchant, mystify, and frighten most people (and inspire others). 



We'll also look briefly at certain scientific theories and medicinal breakthroughs that have occurred in our societies in conjunction with an ever-deepening understanding of poison, venom, and the animals that wield these strategies of survival. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dangerous-definitions">Dangerous Definitions </h2>



To understand these terms, it's important to define them.&nbsp;



According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, venomous animals are "capable of putting poison or venom into another animal's body usually by biting or stinging it · containing venom". 



Comparatively, "poisonous" is defined as "a substance that can cause people or animals to die or to become very sick if it gets into their bodies especially by being swallowed".&nbsp;



So, in summation, biologists (as well as online dictionaries) identify venomous creatures as those that bite or sting to inject their toxins. Poisonous organisms, on the other hand, are those that unload toxins when consumed or absorbed. Here are some examples: a scorpion and a box jelly are venomous. 



Some species of mushrooms,  pufferfish, and poison ivy are poisonous and should not be consumed in most instances (pufferfish being an exception and a regional delicacy). 



Both poison and venom are powerful defense mechanisms that animals utilize to their own benefit of survival - whether they are coming from a perfectly poised stinger or upon arrival at the insides of an unsuspecting digestive system. These categories can be fluid in the sense that what might be deadly toxic to humans might not be the case for another animal and vice-versa.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_560609749.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1900772"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/bjcher">Cheryl Thomas</a>/Shutterstock.com</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-venomous-vs-poisonous-where-in-nature-to-be-aware">Venomous vs Poisonous: Where In Nature To Be Aware </h2>



Poisonous and venomous organisms are found all over the planet, in various ecosystems and biomes. Some parts of the world are more infamous than others as far as threats to look out for: Australia, equatorial jungles, and the ocean are hot spots that take up a lot of space in our venom-wary imagination in this regard.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-venomous-vs-poisonous-snakes">Venomous vs. Poisonous Snakes</h3>



Snakes will send a shiver up most people's spine - especially when encountering one unexpectedly. In certain parts of the world, this can be a really dangerous moment. Venomous snakes and poisonous snakes (there are both) can cause serious injury and even death, depending on the species of snake. Some of these species of epic legend and lore include vipers, Asian tiger snakes, black mambas, and rattlesnakes.&nbsp;



If you happen to encounter a venomous snake (or a species you have yet to identify), safety experts recommend remaining calm and not disturbing the snake - give it a safe distance and an area to take cover in. 



Pay close attention to the colors and markings of the snake in order to later identify it (this could be lifesaving if bitten). Never try to handle or remove a snake yourself if you cannot identify it or know it to be a venomous snake. Contact a professional and keep children and animals well away from the area. Snakebites kill over 100,000 people each year and may have <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/11/11/666" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">evolved independently over 100 times.</a> 



Snake venom inflicts death on humans and other animals - but it also "can also <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12974396/#:~:text=Snake%20venom%20contains%20several%20neurotoxic,cancer%20and%20many%20other%20diseases." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">be used for the treatment</a> of thrombosis, arthritis, cancer and many other diseases."<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/11/11/666"> </a>Snake venom is now considered a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6832721/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">valuable therapeutic tool</a> in the medical field.&nbsp;



There are also snakes that are not venomous, but poisonous -&nbsp; <a href="https://lucec.loyno.edu/natural-history-writings/poisonous-and-venomous-snakes" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">such as garter snakes</a>. These snakes, as long as you don't cook them up and eat them, can be an exciting animal-life encounter devoid of concern for venomous bites - and a teachable moment in that some animals that move in unnerving ways are critical elements of a healthy ecosystem.&nbsp;



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/shutterstock_1998822314.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1900773"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Laurence+Suryanata">Lauren Suryanata</a>/Shutterstock.com</figcaption></figure>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-venomous-vs-poisonous-frogs">Venomous vs. Poisonous Frogs </h3>



Certain species of frogs are commonly known as <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/the-secret-that-protects-poisonous-animals-from-themselves/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"poisonous" amphibians</a> - especially poison dart frogs whose bright colors have made for some memorable conservation campaigns. Their vibrant appearance also <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-makes-poison-dart-frogs-poisonous/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">serves as a warning</a> to those who should encounter one - do not touch. They live in the tropical forests of central and South America. Similar to the monarch butterfly, these amphibians have toxic secretions due to their plant diet. 



There are some species of poisonous toads as well. The larger the toad, the bigger the gland that excretes toxins. In North America, these poisonous toad species include the cane or marine toad (Bufo marinus) and the Colorado River toad (Bufo alvarius). This is less of a concern for us (not many people munch on toads) and more something to watch for in domestic pets.&nbsp;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-venomous-vs-poisonous-insects">Venomous vs. Poisonous Insects </h3>



There are between <a href="https://www.si.edu/spotlight/buginfo/fun-facts-bugs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">6 and 10 million species</a> of insects on the planet. Bees, ants, and wasps are just a few examples of venomous species - even though they don't have fangs.&nbsp;



There are other, less obvious insect critters with sometimes venomous intent - like stinging caterpillars. A study from Kentucky explains that these venomous crawlers can cause anywhere from "a mild itching to the more severe pain, swelling, blistering, dermatitis, and <a href="https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef003" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">even intestinal disturbances."</a>&nbsp;



Even the monarch butterfly is a venomous species! This is due to the plant these insects consume - milkweed.  The milkweed plant creates toxic substances called "glycosides" - a defense mechanism that the migrating butterflies have evolved to withstand and depend upon. A bird that decides to take a bite out of those orange and black wings will get sick, though likely not die. 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-poisonous-organisms-of-the-ocean">Poisonous Organisms Of The Ocean </h3>



Of course, venomous and poisonous are not exclusively land-dwelling. There is plenty to worry about in <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/how-much-of-the-ocean-have-we-discovered/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the salty waves of the ocean</a> that cover about <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth#:~:text=About%2071%20percent%20of%20the,percent%20of%20all%20Earth's%20water." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">71% of the earth's surface</a> area.&nbsp;



Jellyfish are particularly notorious for their venomous stinging tentacles. Some stings are light and irritating, others extremely painful and temporarily debilitating. In the case of the box jellyfish, a sting is lethal. According to NOAA, they are <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/box-jellyfish.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the most venomous marine animal.</a>



Sting Rays - named for their stinging tails - are generally regarded as gentle creatures in the water that blend in very well with the coloring of the seafloor. Generally, they only sting when disturbed or stepped on. They can grow up to 6.5 feet long. In 2006, the beloved "crocodile hunter" Steve Irwin was killed by a stingray - which sent shock waves around the globe and left many heartbroken. This sort of attack is extremely rare, however. Sting Rays are much more likely to flit away than to fight. 



Pufferfish, blowfish, or any other members of the Tetraodontidae family are fish, considered some of the most toxic vertebrates on earth. Many of these species contain tetrodotoxin - a highly toxic poison, though certain species are also considered a delicacy in Japan as well. What's dinner without a little danger? This delicacy is catching on in western countries now, and not without some risks. 



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-poisonous-take-away">A Poisonous Take Away </h2>



Let's conclude with an important note: as human development continues and wild spaces become more contained and constricted, our interactions with wildlife can become more deadly. 



Our societies continue to encroach and decimate the habitats of wildlife - and the call to change course has never been more urgent. 



In reflecting on our relationships within an ecosystem and the important role that all species play within them, we might illuminate a healthy respect and regard for the animals with which we share this planet - even the really scary ones that can kill us.



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Venomous vs. Poisonous, What's the Difference? (Hint: They'll Both Kill You)

The animal kingdom of Planet Earth is a wild and...

The blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) might not be the world’s cutest animal. It might not even be close. In 2013, the Ugly Animal Preservation Society selected the blobfish as its ugly mascot. The blobfish is one of about 40 species in the Psychrolutidae family of fish, which also contains the fathead sculpin, from the Greek “<a href="https://www.fishbase.in/Summary/FamilySummary.php?ID=282" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">psychrolouteo</a>,” meaning "to have a cold bath.” What else is there to know about this lovably ugly fish that is often referred to as the world's ugliest animal, or at least the world's ugliest fish?

&nbsp;
<h2>Blobfish -- Ocean Floor Masters</h2>
One of the most incredible things about blobfish is where they are able to live. These small (30 cm) fish are typically found in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania, often in very deep water at depths of <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/behold-the-blobfish-180956967/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">600 to 1300 meters</a> (up to roughly 4000 feet) in a region known as the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/bathyal-zone" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">bathyal zone</a>. Blobfish have a unique adaptation that allows them to survive at such great depths: they lack a swim bladder, which is unique to most fish in the world.

Many other types of bony fish have a gas-filled organ similar to a balloon in their body cavity. The fish can add or subtract air within their swim bladder to help them float higher or sink lower. But the Psychrolutes marcidus lives at depths where the pressure can exceed 300 times that on the surface. This pressure is high enough that any swim bladder would collapse. Instead, the blobfish’s magic is in its gelatinous tissue. The density of the fish is just less than that of water. This allows it to gently float above the ocean floor.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oKpF9M1omT4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

&nbsp;
<h2>Ugly Animals</h2>
Although the <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/in-defense-of-the-blobfish-why-the-worlds-ugliest-animal-isnt-as-ugly-as-you-think-it-is-6676336/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">famous picture</a> of the Psychrolutes marcidus makes it look like a pile of wet jello, P. marcidus looks like a normal fish while in its regular habitat. At the extreme depths that the blobfish lives, the enormous pressure keeps the fish looking <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKpF9M1omT4" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">like a regular fish</a>. It is only when the fish is brought to sea level, and thus a much lower pressure, that it takes on the lovably ugly form that most people are familiar with.

&nbsp;
<h2>Deep Sea Fish Diet</h2>
Little is known about the specific diet of P. marcidus. This is likely due to its reclusive nature and difficult-to-access habitat. What we do know is that blobfish are almost certainly opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat whatever falls to the ocean floor. Because they do not have a hard skeleton, they also do not have teeth, which means they have to swallow prey whole. This gives us a clue as to what kind of foods the blobfish likely eats as part of its regular diet.

&nbsp;
<h2>Discovery of the Ugly Fish</h2>
The blobfish is relatively new to the scientific world. The first P. marcidus specimen was discovered about 350 km off the coast of Australia, during a joint Australian-New Zealand expedition in 2003. The group was towing <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnmGbDN278Y" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">trawling</a> gear (a type of net that is dragged across the ocean floor) and picked up the now-famous fish. They named it Blobby after its characteristic, and now familiar, look.

&nbsp;
<h2><img class="alignnone wp-image-1873368 size-full" title="humpback anglerfish" src="https://www.earth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/anglerfish.jpg" alt="humpback anglerfish" width="640" height="361" /></h2>
&nbsp;
<h2>Blobfish Counterparts</h2>
P. marcidus lives in a fascinating part of the ocean - but it doesn’t live alone. Let’s take a look at some of the creatures that also live near the bathyal zone.
<ul>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.earth.com/image/10-of-the-largest-animals-on-earth-3/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Colossal squid:</a> this massive cephalopod (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) is the largest squid on earth. They typically <a href="https://marinebio.org/species/colossal-squid/mesonychoteuthis-hamiltoni/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">measure around 14 meters</a> in length and may weigh over 150 kilograms. They are extremely intelligent and like the blobfish, they are very hard to find. For the first time in 2012, a live colossal squid was found in its natural habitat, filmed by a Discovery Channel crew.</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia-articles/what-is-an-anglerfish/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Anglerfish:</a> Like the blobfish, the anglerfish (Lophiiformes) typically dwells near the ocean floor at extreme depths. It is named for its characteristic mode of predation: a hanging fleshly appendage on its head that looks like a lure. The female anglerfish uses this appendage just like a real lure, using it to attract smaller species of fish.</li>
 	<li style="font-weight: 400;"><a href="https://www.earth.com/earthpedia/animal/el/eurypharynx-pelecanoides/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pelican Eel:</a> the pelican eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) really does look like the stuff of nightmares. While rarely seen by humans, an adult specimen was captured <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2018/09/gulper-eel-video-deep-sea-fish-nautilus-news/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">on camera</a> exhibiting its characteristic behavior: inflating its mouth. Also known as the gulper eel, E. pelecanoides can inflate its mouth to look several times larger than its body.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2>More Blobfish?</h2>
The blobfish isn't exactly a small creature, but it was only discovered 15 years ago. Scientists at the <a href="https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/exploration.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</a> estimate that over eighty percent of the ocean is "unmapped, unobserved, and unexplored." This means there may be many other interesting and diverse species of fish waiting to be discovered. We know of <a href="https://ocean.si.edu/ecosystems/census-marine-life/census-marine-life-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">17,000 species</a> of fish that live at depths similar to the blobfish, but what else may lurk in the depths?

&nbsp;

What Is a Blobfish? The Lovably Ugly Fish

The blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) might not be the world’s cutest...

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing it with probiotics and prebiotics, aiming to create a treat that satisfies cravings while supporting gut health. 



The challenge lies in maintaining chocolate's beloved texture and flavor while adding health benefits.



<figure class="wp-block-embed aligncenter is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
https://youtu.be/Ug657J67iEo?si=w96YjGMsg939LD_3
</div></figure>



Probiotics - beneficial microbes that balance gut bacteria and aid digestion - are typically fragile and can be destroyed by stomach acid or processing. 



Prebiotics act as food for these microbes, helping them thrive. Together, they form "synbiotics," a powerful health combination.



Researchers Smriti Gaur and Shubhi Singh from India's Jaypee Institute of Information Technology took an innovative approach, using natural prebiotics like corn and honey instead of complex processing methods. 



They created five chocolate varieties: a control and four synbiotic versions containing different combinations of prebiotics, probiotics (Lactobacillus strains), and flavor enhancers (cinnamon or orange).



Laboratory simulations of human digestion showed the probiotics remained viable for over five hours, suggesting they could survive long enough to benefit gut health.



Taste tests were positive, with researchers particularly enjoying the orange-flavored variety, describing it as having "vibrant citrus notes" complementing the "rich cocoa" with a "luxurious" texture.



This research represents just the beginning. With further refinement of strains, textures, and flavors, chocolate could evolve beyond mere indulgence to become a functional food that nourishes while it delights.



The study is published in the journal <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.4c00741" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ACS Food Science &amp; Technology</a>.

Is chocolate the next nutritional powerhouse?

Scientists are transforming chocolate into a functional food by infusing...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Nushagak Bay, a large estuary in southwest Alaska. Nushagak runs mainly north to south and exits in Bristol Bay, a large body of water in the Bering Sea.



"The bay is primarily fed by the Nushagak River, which begins in the Alaska Range and flows southwest approximately 450 km. The bay is also fed by several additional rivers including the Wood, Igushik, Snake and Weary rivers," says ESA.



"The dark colors of the Nushagak River are most likely due to tannins or lignins (chemical substances found in plants). Tannins and lignins from roots, leaves, seeds, bark and soil can leach into the water and give it a brown or even black colour. The sediments then flow southwards where it is mixed with the bluer waters of the bay."



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Nushagak Bay in southwest Alaska

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> (ACS) reveals that proteins on flu viruses are actually flexible, tilting and waving in a “breath-like” motion. According to the experts, these proteins could be used to better defend against the flu.



"The main antigenic targets of influenza virus are two surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA). Whereas the structural and dynamical properties of both glycoproteins have been studied previously, the understanding of their plasticity in the whole-virion context is fragmented," wrote the researchers.



To investigate, the team conducted detailed simulations of the influenza A H1N1 virion, or the swine flu. The experts concluded that the visualizations show many new vulnerable states of flu viruses, which could improve future vaccines and antiviral drugs.



Video/ Image Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Flu viruses are more flexible than expected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Lake Trasimeno, which is located west of Perugia in central Italy. It is the fourth largest lake in the country. While Trasimeno’s water level varies, it has a maximum depth of approximately six meters.&nbsp;



"In this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image, captured on 6 August 2022, the lake’s emerald green colour is likely due to the presence of phytoplankton. Streaks in the water, particularly visible in the west, indicate the presence of soil and sediments which have been stirred up by winds. Dark colored waters in the southern part of the lake indicate a presence of submerged and floating macrophytes (aquatic plants) as well as algae," says ESA.



"Surrounded by hills on three sides, Trasimeno is subject to heavy storms created by winds, especially from the north and west. There are three islets in the lake: Maggiore, Minore and Polvese (the largest). The lake’s shores are sparsely inhabited with only two popular villages: Castiglione del Lago and Passignano sul Trasimeno."



"Italy is experiencing its worst drought in 70 years which has affected drinking water supplies, hydroelectric power and agricultural production. High temperatures, hot winds and lack of rainfall are the main causes of drought in the Umbrian region which saw Lake Trasimeno’s drop 1.3 m, reaching the limit of the hydrometric zero in July 2022."



Video/Image Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="http://csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer

Lake Trasimeno in Central Italy

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> describes a new self-powered nanosensor that can instantly detect mercury contamination with the tap of a finger.&nbsp;



The oxidized form of mercury can be harmful when it is ingested through contaminated water or food. This makes it necessary for experts to develop sensors that can quickly and accurately detect the presence of mercury.&nbsp;



Zong-Hong Lin and colleagues have now created a triboelectric nanosensor (TENS) that can detect mercury by simply by touching a sample. According to the researchers, their TENS could serve as the basis for similar devices to safely and remotely monitor other pollutants.



Video Credit: American Chemical Society&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Detecting mercury contamination with the tap of a finger

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.acs.org/">American Chemical Society</a> explores the ability of salt to transform the way that foods and beverages taste. Salt is known to cover up undesirable flavors, such as bitterness in coffee or beer, but how exactly does sodium chloride change the taste of other compounds?



One previous study showed that, not only does salt suppress bitterness, but also enhances sweetness and sourness. Another study revealed that bitterness reduction by salt seems to be happening at the tongue receptor level as well as in the brain.&nbsp;



While it is known that salt taste is mediated by the presence of sodium channels in the form of taste buds, experts believe that there is also an unknown receptor responsible for how we taste salt that has not yet been identified.&nbsp;



Video Credit: ACS Reactions



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

How does salt makes things taste better?

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Santiago, the capital city of Chile. The city is located in the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, which has a population of about eight million people.&nbsp;



'The weather of Santiago resembles the Mediterranean climate with dry and warm summers with temperatures reaching up to 35°C (from October to March) and cool and humid winters that can drop to 0°C (from April to September)."



"The city lies in the centre of the country’s central valley around 80 km from the Pacific Ocean to the west and borders Argentina to the east. A tiny part of Argentina is visible in the top-right corner of the image where the mountain crest of the Andes Mountains acts as a divider between the two countries," says ESA.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Santiago, Chile in South America

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Spiral,Galaxy,,Illustration,Of,Milky,Way

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Astronomers at <a href="https://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> have created an interactive map of the universe, including the actual position and real colors of 200,000 galaxies. The map allows the public to access data that was previously only available to scientists.



The map was developed using data collected by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. For over two decades, a telescope in New Mexico was aimed at slightly different locations to capture the night sky.&nbsp;



"Growing up I was very inspired by astronomy pictures, stars, nebulae and galaxies, and now it's our time to create a new type of picture to inspire people," said map creator Brice Ménard, a professor at Johns Hopkins. "Astrophysicists around the world have been analyzing this data for years, leading to thousands of scientific papers and discoveries. But nobody took the time to create a map that is beautiful, scientifically accurate, and accessible to people who are not scientists. Our goal here is to show everybody what the universe really looks like."



"In this map, we are just a speck at the very bottom, just one pixel. And when I say we, I mean our galaxy, the Milky Way which has billions of stars and planets. We are used to seeing astronomical pictures showing one galaxy here, one galaxy there or perhaps a group of galaxies. But what this map shows is a very, very different scale."



"From this speck at the bottom, we are able to map out galaxies across the entire universe, and that says something about the power of science."



The <a href="https://mapoftheuniverse.net/">interactive map</a> is available online, where it can be downloaded for free.



Video Credit: Johns Hopkins&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Interactive map of the universe includes 200,000 galaxies

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Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky" Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features northwest Lesotho in South Africa.



According to ESA, Lesotho is the only nation in the world that lies completely above 1,000 m in elevation. The country is famous for its tall mountains and narrow valleys, and is known as Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky."



Out of a population of around two million people, about 80 percent live in rural areas. More than 75 percent of these people are engaged in <a href="https://www.earth.com/news/climate-change-will-have-a-global-impact-on-agriculture/">agriculture</a>, including rainfed cereal production and animal grazing.&nbsp;



ESA reports that the country’s agricultural system faces a growing number of issues, with climate-related vulnerabilities such as drought, floods and extreme temperatures occurring more frequently. 



Diamonds are amongst the minerals found in the mountains. Indeed, Lesotho can truly be called the Kingdom in the Sky. Beautiful, culturally rich, safe, affordable, and easily accessible from Durban and Johannesburg, mountainous Lesotho is a vastly underrated travel destination. the Kingdom of Lesotho (Sotho: 'Muso oa Lesotho) is an enclaved country in southern Africa. It is just over 30,000 km2 (11,583 sq mi) in size and has a population of around 2 million.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Staff Writer 



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Lesotho: Africa's "Kingdom in the Sky"

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. Beyond its pub culture, Dublin is known as a modern culinary destination and a UNESCO City of Literature.



"Dublin is located near the midpoint of Ireland’s east coast in the province of Leinster. The city, which covers an area of around 115 square kilometers, is bordered by the Dublin Mountains, a low mountain range to the south, and is surrounded by flat farmland to the north and west," says ESA.



"The city straddles the River Liffey, which rises in the Wicklow Mountains and flows around 80 kilometers eastwards through the city of Dublin, in which it is canalised and bordered with quays. It then empties into Dublin Bay, an arm of the Irish Sea."



Dublin has an abundance of green spaces, including one of the largest enclosed public parks in any European capital city. Phoenix Park, which was originally formed as a royal hunting park in the 1660s, includes 707 hectares of green space.



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The city of Dublin on Ireland's east coast

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain. The image was captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission.



"Together with the provinces of Huesca and Teruel, Zaragoza formed the old kingdom of Aragon. Its capital, also called Zaragoza (not visible in this image) is home to around half of Aragon’s population," says ESA.



"The Ebro River can be seen winding its way through the province from west to east in this image. Between its source in the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest and its delta on the Mediterranean coast, the Ebro River is fed by more than 200 tributaries as it flows 910 km across much of northern Spain."



Since rainfall is very scarce in this region, irrigation in the Ebro basin is critically important. In the valleys surrounding the Ebro River, many fields are used for growing crops such as corn, wheat, and barley.



Video/ Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The province of Zaragoza in northeast Spain

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> reveals the evolution of the Columbia Glacier in southeastern Alaska. Columbia is among the fastest shrinking glaciers in the world, and the video documents its rapid retreat over the years.&nbsp;



Columbia Glacier is a large, multi-branched calving glacier that flows out of the Chugach Mountains to the Prince William Sound.&nbsp;



According to USGS, Columbia had a long history of stability prior to 1980, with a length 41 miles, and small, short-lived advances or retreats.



In the years since 1980, however, satellite images have captured Columbia’s alarming retreat. By using false-color images, scientists can distinguish between snow and ice, open water, vegetation, and rocky debris on the glacier’s surface.



The series of false-color images featured in today's video were acquired over the span of 35 years. You can see that by 2021, the glacier’s main branch had retreated about 15 miles from its initial position.



The Columbia Glacier has also lost more than 50 percent of its volume, mostly due to calving. <a href="https://www.earth.com/video/nasa-reveals-3d-visual-of-an-atmospheric-river/">NASA</a> reports that while climate change likely started the retreat, mechanical processes kept the disintegration going.



The NASA images are provided by Jesse Allen, Robert Simmon, Joshua Stevens, and Lauren Dauphin using data from Landsat satellites, from the U.S. Geological Survey, and data from MODIS on NASA’s Terra satellite. The structure of Columbia’s moraine played a large role in the stability of the glacier before 1980. 



Like other tidewater glaciers, the Columbia built up a moraine over time, and the mixture of ice and rock functioned like a dam keeping out the sea. It was supported on one end by the shoreline and by the underwater terminal moraine at the other.



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory/&nbsp; NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The rapid retreat of the Columbia Glacier

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> features the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural boundary between France and Spain in southwest Europe.



The mountain range is 430 kilometers in length. It stretches from the Mediterranean Sea on the east to the Atlantic Ocean on the west.



At an elevation of 3404 meters, Pico de Aneto is the highest mountain peak in the Pyrenees, and the third-highest peak in Spain. Pico de Aneto is located in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park, which spans more than 82,000 acres.&nbsp;



"Geological studies have revealed that the Pyrenees Mountains have been around for longer than the Alps, with their sediments first deposited in coastal basins during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras," reports ESA.



"The entire mountain range formed due to the upwelling of large sedimentary rocks by the collision of the Iberian and the Eurasian plate around 100 to 150 million years ago, followed by intense erosion from ice and water."



The western Pyrenees receive more precipitation due to moisture blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean. The mountain range contains many lakes, several small glaciers, and some of the highest waterfalls in Europe.



Video &amp; Image Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The Pyrenees Mountains in southwest Europe

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Earth,Like,Exoplanet,3d,Render

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Today's Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes two exoplanets that are orbiting a star 218 light-years away. A team of researchers led by the University of Montreal has found evidence that these planets are "water worlds."



The experts used data from NASA’s Hubble and Spitzer Space Telescopes. They discovered that exoplanets Kepler-138 c and Kepler-138 could be composed largely of water.



"We previously thought that planets that were a bit larger than Earth were big balls of metal and rock, like scaled-up versions of Earth, and that's why we called them super-Earths," explained study co-author Björn Benneke.&nbsp;



"However, we have now shown that these two planets, Kepler-138 c and d, are quite different in nature and that a big fraction of their entire volume is likely composed of water. It is the best evidence yet for water worlds, a type of planet that was theorized by astronomers to exist for a long time."



Video Credit: NASA Goddard



Image Credit: NASA, ESA, and Leah Hustak (STScI)



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Two distant planets may be "water worlds"

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Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/goddard">NASA Goddard</a> describes Earth’s interconnected systems, and how this network is affected by rising temperatures.&nbsp;



During 2020, average global temperatures matched the hottest year on record. The hurricane season was also record-breaking, with many of the storms intensifying at extraordinary speeds. Hot water in the ocean is fuel for hurricanes. The satellite data shows that it's all one interconnected system showing how Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected.



According to NASA, dust swept up from Northern Africa plays a major role in the formation of hurricanes, and is also a key source of fertilization in the Amazon rainforest. As a result of<a href="https://www.earth.com/news/seagrass-wasting-disease-is-fueled-by-climate-change/"> climate</a> change, dust plumes are expected to decline, which will have an effect on vegetation far away.&nbsp;



Images from Earth-observing satellites show how the world’s plant life is affected by natural disasters, fires, and deforestation. Satellites also reveal how widespread changes in vegetation impact waterways,&nbsp; the climate, air quality. Satellites communicate by using radio waves to send signals to the antennas on the Earth. "Earth From Space" is a groundbreaking two-hour special that reveals a spectacular new space-based vision of our planet. 



Video Credit: NASA Goddard&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites reveal how Earth's systems are interconnected

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://welcome.miami.edu/">University of Miami</a> Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science explores how changes in water temperatures have affected tiger shark habitats and movements in the North Atlantic Ocean. The study reveals that rising temperatures have caused the sharks to shift toward the poles over the past 40 years.



“Tiger shark annual migrations have expanded poleward, paralleling rising water temperatures,” explained study lead author Neil Hammerschlag. “These results have consequences for tiger shark conservation, since shifts in their movements outside of marine protected areas may leave them more vulnerable to commercial fishing.”



The researchers analyzed nine years of tracking data from satellite-tagged tiger sharks, combined with four decades of conventional tag and recapture data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Shark Tagging Program.



The experts found that during the last decade of record heat, for every one-degree Celsius increase in water temperatures, tiger sharks migrated further poleward by over 400 kilometers. They also migrated two weeks earlier than usual to waters off the northeastern coast of the United States.



“Given their role as apex predators, these changes to tiger shark movements may alter predator-prey interactions, leading to ecological imbalances, and more frequent encounters with humans,” concluded Professor Hammerschlag.



Video Credit: University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



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Tiger sharks are shifting poleward as temperatures rise

Today’s Video of the Day from the University of Miami...

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> is focused on the melt ponds that emerge during the spring and summer on the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is the largest ice mass in the northern hemisphere.



"Melt ponds are vast pools of open water that form on both sea ice and ice sheets and are visible as turquoise-blue pools of water in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image," says ESA.



"When snow and ice melts atop glaciers, water flows in channels and streams and collects in depressions on the surface. These melt ponds can speed up the melting of the surrounding ice since they greatly reduce the ice’s ability to reflect sunlight."



"This can create a positive feedback where an increasing number of melt ponds absorb more heat which causes ice cover to melt even faster."



According to ESA, Greenland has been hit with a late-season heatwave that began in early September. This caused the type of melt event that usually occurs in the middle of summer.



"In a recent paper published in Nature Climate Change, scientists found that major sea-level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice cap is now ‘inevitable’ even if the burning of fossil fuels were to halt overnight," says ESA. "Using satellite observations of Greenland ice loss and ice cap from 2000 to 2019, the team found the losses will lead to a minimum rise of 27 cm regardless of climate change."



Video Credit: ESA&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Melt ponds on the Greenland Ice Sheet

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Today’s Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.esa.int/">European Space Agency</a> describes a new map of Mars that is providing insight into the planet’s watery past. The map also reveals where future missions could safely land on Mars.&nbsp;



The map has been created over the last decade using observations of water-rich rocks and mineral deposits. The images were captured by ESA’s Mars Express and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.



"A big surprise is the prevalence of these minerals, with the map revealing hundreds of thousands of water-affected locations in the oldest parts of the planet," says ESA. "The new data will help answer exciting questions about Mars’ climate history, whether water was globally persistent or confined to short, intense episodes, and whether the conditions were ever suitable for life."



"Specifically, the map shows the locations and abundances of aqueous minerals. These are from rocks that have been chemically altered by the action of water in the past, and have typically been transformed into clays and salts."



According to John Carter of the Institut d’Astrophysique Spatiale (IAS), our collective understanding of Mars has been oversimplified. He explained that planetary scientists have tended to think that only a few types of clay minerals on Mars were created during its wet period, then as the water gradually dried up, salts were produced across the planet.



The new map shows that the composition of Mars is much more complicated than what we thought. For example, while many salts formed after Martian clays, there are some salts that are presumed to be older than some of the clays.&nbsp;



“The evolution from lots of water to no water is not as clear cut as we thought, the water didn’t just stop overnight. We see a huge diversity of geological contexts, so that no one process or simple timeline can explain the evolution of the mineralogy of Mars. That’s the first result of our study. The second is that if you exclude life processes on Earth, Mars exhibits a diversity of mineralogy in geological settings just as Earth does,” said Carter.



Video Credit: ESA



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

The history of Mars is much more complex than we thought

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Today's Video of the Day from the <a href="https://www.stowers.org/">Stowers Institute for Medical Research</a> describes how cavefish adapted to a sedentary lifestyle over tens of thousands of years. 



The experts found that the muscle metabolism of cavefish has been genetically reprogrammed over time. As a result, the animals have experienced major changes in their morphology and behavior. Despite these changes, however, the cavefish remain healthy and fit.



The research may provide new clues about the evolutionary consequences of prolonged physical inactivity in humans.&nbsp;



“It’s no surprise that people are moving less and less as technology has advanced,” said Rohner. “With cavefish, we have a unique system where we can study what might happen if people remained couch potatoes over very, very long periods of time.”



Video Credit: Stowers Institute for Medical Research



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Cavefish are healthy despite their sedentary lifestyle

[sendtonews key="vpljfR2VBX-2560867-12187" type="single"] Today's Video of the Day from the...

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Today’s Video of the Day from <a href="https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/">NASA Earth Observatory</a> some of the most incredible waves in the world, as seen by Landsat satellites.



"With more than 370,000 miles of coastline on Earth, there are plenty of places where epic waves build up, curl over, and hurtle toward the shore.- much to the thrill of surfers," says NASA. "There are some places where these waves are so magnificent that they can be seen from space."



"With the broad perspective of satellites, we can see how these iconic waves develop into the world’s tallest, longest, fastest, and heaviest."



Video Credit: NASA Earth Observatory&nbsp;



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By <a href="mailto:csexton@earth.com">Chrissy Sexton</a>, <a href="https://www.earth.com/staff/">Earth.com</a> Editor



Check us out on <a href="https://www.earth.com/earthsnap/">EarthSnap</a>, a free app brought to you by Eric Ralls and Earth.com.

Satellites capture the world's biggest and fastest waves

[sendtonews key="MHyhtebibJ-2200368-12187" type="single"] Today’s Video of the Day from NASA...

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