The marine worm Eulagisca gigantea has recently gone viral online due to its bizarre appearance. Found in the icy waters of Antarctica, this 8-inch-long worm has shimmering golden bristles and a gaping, tooth-lined mouth, making it look like something from a sci-fi horror film.
What makes it special? The worm has a retractable throat that extends to reveal sharp teeth, allowing it to scavenge or hunt smaller marine creatures. Its golden bristles may help with swimming, crawling, or serve as a defense mechanism. Despite being discovered in 1939, scientists have only briefly studied it.
Eulagisca gigantea is a polychaete worm, part of a diverse group of marine worms found in various ocean environments. Though over 8,000 species exist, experts believe many more remain undiscovered.
Recently, a viral Facebook post showing this strange creature sparked fascination and horror. While it may look otherworldly, such creatures help scientists study the deep sea’s biodiversity. With more of the ocean still unexplored, who knows what other bizarre creatures will be found?
