Imagine a worm with golden, glittering bristles and a mouth that looks like it belongs in a horror movie. Meet Eulagisca gigantea, a deep-sea worm that’s as fascinating as it is frightening.
Living in the icy waters of Antarctica, this worm reaches about 8 inches in length—roughly the size of a banana. But its most shocking feature is its retractable throat, which unfolds like a nightmare when it feeds. Inside this stretchy mouth are rows of sharp teeth, perfect for snatching prey. This isn’t just a worm that eats scraps—it’s a predator.
Scientists believe its golden bristles help it move through the ocean floor or even protect it from enemies. Yet, despite its striking appearance, we know very little about this creature. It was first discovered in 1939, and research on it has been limited.
Eulagisca gigantea is part of a huge family of marine worms called polychaetes. With over 8,000 known species, experts think there could be thousands more still undiscovered. A 2016 study suggested we’ve only identified about half of them, meaning the ocean could be hiding even weirder creatures.
When a photo of this worm recently went viral, people were both amazed and horrified. But while it looks like something from a sci-fi film, it’s a real part of our planet’s biodiversity. As scientists explore deeper into the ocean, who knows what other strange and terrifying creatures they’ll find?
