The abyssal zone is certainly one of the most hostile places on the planet, remaining in perpetual darkness where even the sun’s rays cannot penetrate.
What’s more shocking is that there are some remarkable creatures that call this place their home, surviving and thriving where others fear to tread.
But which animals call the abyssal zone their home, and how do they survive?
Where Is The Abyssal Zone?
The abyssal zone isn’t actually located in any one region, and actually covers around 60% of the Earth’s surface – located at the deepest points of the ocean.
The name abyss itself takes its name from the Ancient Greek word meaning ‘bottomless’, and this is exactly the impression that this eerie, subaquatic world gives to those brave enough to explore.
Completely black and dark, and with little to no light from the sun, this area breeds some unusual and terrifying species of sea creatures – many of which seem like they are right out of a Jules Verne novel.
How Deep Is It?
Roughly speaking, the deepest point is around 20,000 feet deep, which is roughly the size of 20 Empire State Buildings stacked end to end.
What Animals Live There?
As previously mentioned, the abyssal zone might seem like an unlikely habitat, but it does provide shelter for some of the strangest and unsettling creatures in the ocean.
Squids & Octopi
These are some of the most common animals that reside down there, and like many of the species who call the abyssal zone their home, they feed on falling organic matter that comes from the surface levels.
Many divers who venture down into the zone have experienced these creatures first hand – often larger in size, and ghost-like under the glow of torchlight.
These squid and octopi can grow to massive sizes, and the abyssal zone has been home to the giant squid, and even the purported ‘colossal squid’ – evidence of which has only been found once.
Molluscs
The abyssal zone is also the home to several species of subaquatic molluscs, who feed on the organic material that resides so very deep down in the ocean.
These are also food for other species, such as squids and octopi, although they are also fully fledged residents of this zone in their own right.
Worms
There are also numerous species of worms that share a similar existence to the molluscs.
These survive on organic matter, and provide a much needed food source for many of the other creatures that call the zone their home.
Echinoids
Echinoids are some of the strangest creatures, but can be found throughout the ocean at many different depths.
Echinoids are sea urchins – in their many species – and while often confused for plantlife, they are sentient, living creatures capable of feeding and moving, the latter of which is done by moving their tube feet – similar to the starfish.
Anglerfish
Perhaps the most terrifying species residing in the abyssal zone is the anglerfish.
These creatures are pure nightmare fuel, and are characterized by their stiletto-like teeth, their large luminous ball protruding from their heads, and their practice of luring fish and sea creatures to their deaths.
These are some of the most unusual sea creatures in existence, and very much use the darkness to their advantage – using their beacon-like headlamps to lure mates, and indeed prey, into their midst.
Are There Plants In The Abyssal Zone?
While there are many species of sea creatures living in the abyssal zone, there are no species of plants that can be found down there.
This is because there is no sunlight at such extreme depths, and as such plant matter cannot grow.
Like most plants, subaquatic vegetation needs sunlight to provide energy to the chlorophyll in the leaves, and when this is not present, no plant can hope to survive or grow.
What Do These Creatures Eat?
As mentioned above, these creatures feed almost exclusively on organic matter that has descended from the upper ocean levels.
This could be in the form of plant matter, matter from fish and other creatures, or indeed bacteria found on sunken debris.
Many species also feed on one another, such as the above mentioned anglerfish, and the several species of octopus and squid, which will feed on the molluscs and worms that call the abyssal zone their home.
How Deep Can Humans Venture?
Perhaps fortunately for us, humans cannot safely travel to the lowest depths of the abyssal zone without highly sophisticated equipment to keep us alive.
This is because the sheer atmospheric pressure at those depths is more than the human body can handle – and in fact if you were to magically appear at the lowest depths, your lungs would be flattened immediately.
Roughly speaking, human beings – with the aid of diving tanks and equipment – can swim down to around 130 feet – after which problems can occur and situations can be hard to handle.
This alone should be a startling reality about just how little of this subaquatic world is still unexplored.
Even the most advanced submarines can only venture around 3000 feet down, which means there would still be a further 17,000 feet left to explore at the deepest point.
Even the most advanced subaquatic exploration vessel – piloted by explorer Victor Vescovo – only managed to make it to 18,000 feet below the sea.
Final Thoughts
And there we have it, everything you need to know about the abyssal zone, and some of the animals that call it home.
The abyssal zone, a distinct zone of the ocean, hosts a unique ecosystem teeming with life. This zone, often synonymous with the abyssopelagic zone, extends across the abyssal plain, a vast, flat area of the ocean floor.
Here, the seafloor is far removed from the sunlit, upper layers of the ocean, such as the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones. Despite the absence of light, many animals thrive in this deep-sea region, adapted to the extreme pressure and darkness.
Organisms in the abyssal biome exhibit remarkable adaptations. Bioluminescence is a common trait among these animals, providing a vital source of light in the perpetual darkness.
This phenomenon is not just restricted to small organisms; even larger animals like certain species of whales navigate these depths. The deep-sea environment, especially near hydrothermal vents, supports a diverse range of life forms.
These vents, emitting heat and minerals, create oases on the otherwise barren oceanic landscape. Additionally, changes in the deep-sea environment, such as those brought by hydrothermal venting or the impact of hadal trenches, can drastically alter this delicate biome.
The abyssal zone is a complex and fascinating part of our planet. Home to a myriad of bioluminescent and highly adapted animals, this ecosystem plays a crucial role in the health of the overall oceanic environment.
Understanding and protecting this zone from threats like ocean acidification is vital for the sustainability of its unique and mysterious inhabitants.
Hi, I’m Olivia Kepner and I am a zookeeper here in San Diego. Since I was a young girl I have always been fascinated by animals and species across the globe.
I used to beg my parents to take me to our local zoo every single weekend. Well, I say local – it was more like a two hour drive away. But they took me as much as they could, allowing me to fall in love with the animals again and again.
