Dive into the mysterious and deep ocean with us! Learn about some strange and unusual creatures of the deep, fun and interesting ocean facts, and check out a book or two from our great ocean reads list.
Strange and Unusual Creatures of the Deep
Tasselled Wobbegong
The wobbegong is a species of the carpet shark family. To find one of these super sharks, you’ll need to explore the tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean. Wobbegongs spend their time resting on the sea floor, camouflaged by their flat, tasseled bodies.
Red Handfish
The red handfish are found in the waters of southern Australia and Tasmania. It grows to around 15cm long and has skin covered in tooth-like scales called “denticles.” The creatures get their name from the movement of walking around the sea floor with fins that look like human hands. There are other kinds of handfish, too, including the spotted handfish and the pink handfish.
Leafy Seadragon
The leafy seadragon looks like a piece of seaweed, but believe it or not, it’s a fish! These creatures can be found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. They are a member of the same family as the seahorse – the Syngnathidae family. They grow to around 7 to 10 inches long and feed on plankton and small crustaceans. Moving through the water using its tiny fins, this fish’s long, leafy extensions allow it to hide from predators by blending in with seaweed!
Deep-Sea Anglerfish
With its huge head and enormous mouth, these fearsome fish swim in the dark depths of the ocean. Ranging from around 7 inches to 40 inches in length, there are more than 300 species of anglerfish, most of which are found in the Atlantic and Antarctic oceans. Female anglerfish have a glowing light hanging above their mouth! They attract their prey with their light and then take a bite.
Japanese Spider Crab
The Japanese spider crab is known for having the most significant leg span of any crustacean – up to 12 feet from claw to claw! Despite its large size, they are not a ferocious predator. Instead, it slowly strolls across the seafloor as it scavenges for dead and decaying matter. Young Japanese spider crabs sometimes decorate themselves with sponges or kelp, possibly to camouflage themselves from predators or making themselves beautiful!
Sea Angels
Sea angels are small, swimming sea slugs whose transparent bodies and graceful flapping wings make them look more celestial than slug-like. These cold-water inhabitants of the deep sea have wing-like appendages that enable strong swimming in open water.
Giant Isopod
These roly-poly deep-sea creatures resemble their distant relatives, the tiny pill bugs found in many gardens. Giant isopods can grow up to 16 inches in size! This colossal crustacean slowly roams the seafloor, feeding on dead animals. It is found in deep, cold waters and can withstand depths of over 7,000 feet.
Ocean Facts To Splash Over!
Wanna see another cool deep-sea creature? He’s a picture of the Colobonema Sericeum, also known as the Midwater Jelly!
Book Picks:
Weird Sea Creatures by Erich Hoyt
Presents information about 50 animals that live in the deepest part of the sea and have adapted to life in total darkness, intense pressure, and cold.
Secret Lives Of Deep Sea Creatures by Sara Swan Miller
Describes the life cycles and habits of the strange creatures that make their homes deep below the surface of the sea.
Weird Sea Creatures by Laura Marsh
An introduction to some of the weirdest creatures that live in the ocean, including anglerfish, lionfish, and hagfish.
Biggest, Baddest Book Of Sea Creatures by Jen Schoeller
Kids can dive into unknown territory and go on an adventure through the world’s oceans in the Biggest, Baddest Book of Sea Creatures. Readers will find mysterious beasts hiding in the depths, discover the deadliest killers under the waves, get up close with sea slugs, and more.
I See Sea Food: Sea Creatures That Look Like Food by Jenna Grodzicki
Meet some of the wackiest creatures under the sea–creatures that look like food–through eye-catching photos and engaging text. This funny, informative book introduces readers to the egg yolk jellyfish, the lettuce sea slug, the chocolate chip sea star, and many more! Accessible text and engaging photos make this an enjoyable read.
The Strangest Thing In The Sea: and Other Curious Creatures Of The Deep by Rachel Poliquin
Budding ocean explorers will delight in learning about 12 bizarre and little-known sea creatures, such as the goblin shark, hairy frogfish, vampire squid, and more! Each animal will propose, then deny that it is the strangest thing in the sea until, finally, the strangest thing of all is revealed.
The Ocean World: A Finding Dory Discovery Book by Paul Dichter
Join Dory and her friends as you explore ocean animals, coral reefs, and more.
Read, Learn & Create. The Ocean Craft Book by Clare Beaton & Rudi Haig
Use easy-to-follow directions to make thirteen ocean-themed crafts. Crafts include fun facts and additional resources, providing covert learning opportunities for your little explorer and reducing screen time.
Fiction:
Wendell The Narwhal by Emily Dove
Everyone in the ocean can make music except for Wendell the Narwhal. His big, pointy horn can’t go “pop” or “clappy clap clap” or even “whoosh.” Will Wendell find a way to join in with the symphony of sea creatures?
Field Trip To The Ocean Deep by John Hare
In this wordless picture book, a student is accidentally left behind on a field trip to the deep ocean.
The Den That Octopus Built by Randi Sonenshine
The solitary and ingenious octopus is a master of disguise and invention, creating her den out of the objects of the ocean, from shells and rocks to tiny glass shards. Using creative methods of hunting and construction, the octopus prepares for the most significant task of her life: motherhood. With one last poignant gesture of love, the mother octopus sends her hatchlings on their way, starting a new cycle for the baby octopuses.
Mermaids’ Song To The Sea by Dianna Hutts Aston
Three mermaid troubadours, draped with leis and strumming harps, sing their blessings to sea creatures everywhere, traveling the ocean to deliver a benediction to their beloved community of fish, whales, sharks, sea snails, and many others.
The Ocean Blue And You by Suzanne Slade
As a child dozes on an oceanside sandy beach, she dreams of the sea world teeming with life, including the many creatures and ecosystems found there, from migrating whales to elusive eels to the colorful coral reefs. Back matter includes science facts.
The Tale Of The Whale by Karen Swann
A whale takes a child on an adventure across the ocean, and together they explore the wonders of the ocean world, but also the sad state of plastic pollution–and the child returns home to try and help the whale to save his marine home.
Hello, My Name is… How Adorabilis Got His Name by Marisa Polansky
A new creature is added to the deep-sea tank, but what will they call this flapjack octopus? Includes an author’s note on Adorabilis and its name.
