This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The phantom jellyfish, aka giant phantom jelly, is the only known species in the genus of deep sea jellyfish, Stygiomedusa. They belong to the Ulmaridae family. While not currently evaluated by the IUCN, these jellies likely face the threats of deep-sea fishing, mining, and oil exploration. Their population trend is […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

There are over 300 known species of squid. This article will talk about the fascinating squid, in general; no specific species. These cephalopods all have elongated bodies, big eyes, 8 arms and 2 tentacles. Some even have up to 10 arms. As the old joke goes: How do you make […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

Hailing from the Indo-Pacific region, the mimic octopus brings new meaning to blending in. Their name is derived, in part, from the Greek word thaûma, meaning “marvel” or “miracle”. They prefer warm, muddy waters like those found in river mouths and estuaries. Even though they are subject to habitat destruction […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

Despite how it looks, the Portuguese man o’ war is not a true jellyfish but rather a siphonophore, which is not actually a single organism (true jellyfish are a single organism), but a colonial creature made up of 4 specialized animals of the same species, called zooids (polyps). These polyps […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

Not only is the giant squid the largest of all the cephalopods, it’s also the largest living invertebrate in the world! They can be found in the Northern parts of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Sea of Japan, the Bering Sea, Northern parts of the Pacific Ocean, […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The blanket octopus is as strange as it is beautiful. With a large drapery spanning between their arms, a secret weapon (borrowed from another animal), a massive size difference between males and females, and an ultra secretive lifestyle. This oceanic wanderer comes to you, on special request, from my friend […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The great barrier reef… Home of beauty and wonder. Also the home to one of the most dangerous animals in nature, the box jellyfish! Box jellies are small in appearance but pack a highly venomous punch capable of death by heart attack due to sheer pain. There are approximately 51 […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.