Beneath the Surface: Extraordinary Encounters with Abnormally Huge Sea Animals

 

Beneath the Surface: Extraordinary Encounters with Abnormally Huge Sea Animals

 

A massive sea lion sunbathes on top of a small boat, almost causing it to capsize. The animal kingdom hosts many large creatures, but the specimens in today's article are unlike the rest. They are abnormal. Here are 15 abnormally huge sea animals:

 

Number 15: Sea Lions

 

Although there are several large species of sea lion, two spotted on a boat in Olympia, Washington, are certainly some of the most entertaining. Known as the Stellar sea lion, these animals often grow to about three meters in length and as much as eleven hundred kilograms in weight.

 

To put this into perspective, we can see in this 2019 clip that, despite being atop a reasonably sized yacht, the entire thing is in danger of capsizing. Regardless, we're pretty sure they were having a good time while cruising along.

 

Number 14: The Blue Whale

 

It goes without saying that blue whales are massive, being the largest animals on the planet. They weigh in at upwards of 130 tons, grow to about 31 meters, and have lifespans of up to 73 years. However, there are some that stand out amongst the rest.

 

In fact, to date, the largest blue whale ever, which was caught off the coast of Antarctica by whalers, measured in at an astonishing 33 meters. While being two meters off the general maxima may not seem like much, this figure is really quite impressive. Dr. Jean Putman of St. Louis University confirms that it would be the absolute maximum size that a blue whale could reach.

 

This is because such a whale would have high muscle fatigue and long post-dive recovery, making the added size a disadvantage in its chances of survival. As a result, the chance of this record-breaking whale ever being surpassed is very low.

 

Number 13: The Hammerhead

 

Hammerhead sharks stand out not just for being rather large, but for having a massive horizontal head that looks like a hammer was struck through it. Measuring in at about six meters long and weighing in at half a ton, the hammerhead is notoriously hard to catch.

 

Yet, this hasn't stopped anglers from eyeing this powerful prize. The largest of them all was caught in Boca Grande, Florida, in May of 2006, reeled in by Captain Bucky Dennis. The two wrestled for hours, and when the shark eventually surfaced, it came in at an astonishing 0.64 tons.

 

Best of all, rather than simply throw it away, Captain Dennis opted to donate the specimen to the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, where it was dissected for the benefit of the scientific community.

 

Number 12: The Lion's Mane Jellyfish

 

Of all the jellyfish species out there, there are few as impressive as the lion's mane jellyfish. Found across the cold boreal waters of the Arctic, northern Atlantic, and northern Pacific oceans, this jellyfish stands apart due to its tentacles, which appear similar to the hair of a lion.

 

Yet, while many large specimens have been observed, the largest of them all was recorded all the way back in 1865. Measured by famed American scientist and engineer Alexander Auguste off the coast of Massachusetts, it had a bell with a diameter of 2.1 meters and tentacles that were around 36.6 meters long.

 

Yet, as these jellyfish continue to be observed regularly, perhaps an even larger one will someday come along.

 

Number 11: The Giant Pacific Octopus

 

Few underwater creatures are as fascinating as the giant Pacific octopus found throughout the northern Pacific. These octopuses are often found at depths of up to 2,000 meters below sea level, and their diet of shrimp, crabs, scallops, and fish contributes to them weighing in at upwards of 70 kilograms, growing to as much as 6 meters long.

 

However, the largest giant Pacific octopus ever recorded massively overtook this average, coming in at a whopping 272 kilograms and being measured at about nine meters long. However, with most of these octopuses found in the deep depths of the ocean, it might be a while until another record-breaker is found.

 

Number 10: The Siphonophore

 

In April of 2020, scientists off the coast of Australia discovered a new aquatic species that is truly unique. Although it doesn't have a name yet, it's part of the siphonophore family—a string-like creature that's shaped like a spiraled UFO.

 

And although it may not look massive on the outset, with an outer ring that's estimated to be about 47 meters long and a full length that's likely closer to 119 meters long, it's officially been dubbed as the world's longest animal, more than doubling the length of the previous record holder, the 55-meter ribbon worm.

 

Well, not too much is yet known about this siphonophore, scientists have found that these creatures are predators that reside in the deepest depths of the ocean, with the first one being recorded at a depth of about 630 meters. They're made up of many small clones working together as one animal.

 

Despite looking most similar to jellyfish, they're actually most closely related to corals and anemones. These clones are rather fascinating because, rather than perform independent tasks, as lead researcher Narita Wilson stated, somehow they communicate with each other and decide, "Well, we're going to take over the role of feeding, and another group of clones will take over the role of reproduction." As a result, this siphonophore is definitely one of the most spectacular species on this list.

 

Number 9: The Bluefin Tuna

 

Throughout the world, bluefin tuna are famous for their delectable meat and vibrant flavor. As a result, they are heavily fished, and the Atlantic bluefin tuna is no exception. Typically coming in at a maximum length of two and a half meters and a maximum weight of 250 kilograms, they are truly massive.

 

And as a result of the high profits they can bring in, they have featured heavily on shows such as "Wicked Tuna." Primarily, these fish are found on the northeastern seaboard of the United States and the east coast of Canada. It was in this region that the largest bluefin tuna ever recorded was caught, reeled in off the coast of the Canadian town of Alts Cove, Nova Scotia, on October 26, 1979.

 

The record-breaking fish was caught by an angler by the name of Ken Fraser, wrestling with the fish for about 45 minutes before finally overcoming it. Its weight of 679 kilograms and length of 3.7 meters makes it by far the largest bluefin tuna ever recorded across all species.

 

However, within the United States National Marine Fisheries Service, claiming that a 910-kilogram fish theoretically could exist, perhaps we'll see this record being beaten sooner rather than later.

 

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Number 8: The Goliath Grouper

           

As the name suggests, the Goliath grouper certainly is a gargantuan fish. Typically coming in lengths of up to 2.5 meters and weights of up to 360 kilograms, they are the largest of the grouper species and are known for having a very rich taste. As a result, the associated demand for such a flavorful fish throughout the 20th century anglers tried to catch the Goliath grouper, which can be found across the Atlantic Ocean.

 

However, it was all the way back on May 20th of 1961 that a record breaker was caught off Fernandina Beach, Florida, using Spanish mackerel as the bait. It came in at 310 kilograms, making it just a hair below the maximum limit that this species can generally reach. As a result, while this means that the record could theoretically be broken at some point, the chances of this occurring are extremely low.

 

That's because as of 1990, fishing for the Goliath grouper is banned across the United States in order to replenish its relatively low population. However, with numbers having improved greatly since the ban was first enforced, there is hope that it will one day be lifted to allow anglers to strive for this record once again.

 

Number 7: The Ocean Sunfish

 

While some of the creatures on this list do edge it out in terms of size and weight, the ocean sunfish holds the distinction for being the largest bony fish in the world. Being found throughout the world's oceans, as their name suggests, these sunfish are often found in warmer waters and generally feed on various jellyfish, squid, and crustaceans.

 

They certainly stand apart thanks to their flattened appearance, and they have relatively thin yet wide circular bodies with massive fins spouting up from each end. As a result of this shape, size-wise, they are usually quite large, generally coming in at weights as high as a thousand kilograms and lengths as long as 4.2 meters.

 

However, the largest of them all may have been caught in 1996 when said specimen came in at an astonishing 2300 kilograms. As fishing techniques continue to improve, perhaps this specimen will be ousted by another in the near future.

 

Number 6: Elephant Seals

 

Found throughout Antarctica and the southern islands of South America, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, elephant seals are, as their name suggests, absolutely massive. Named for both their large size and their large nose, they are by far the largest seals in the world and can grow to lengths of upwards of six meters and weights upwards of four thousand kilograms.

 

This weight stems largely from their diet, which consists mainly of squid, fish, and crustaceans, and they spend most of their time diving to depths of between 400 to 1000 meters in order to access their prey. Yet, when it comes to the biggest of them all, the largest on record was found over a century ago, shot in Possession Bay on Antarctica's South Georgia Island on February 28 of 1913.

 

It measured 6.85 meters and was estimated to weigh in at 5,000 kilograms. Despite only being weighed after it was sliced up into pieces in order to be consumed, regardless, it goes without saying that it may be a while until such a sizeable seal is recorded once again.

 

Number 5: The Giant Squid

 

One of the most famous deep-dwelling sea creatures is the giant squid, found in locations across the world. The giant squid has been the subject of myths for centuries, having been attributed to more than its fair share of shipwrecks and drownings.

 

However, it turns out that these squids, which typically come in at a length of about 10 meters, spend most of their time hidden about 300 to 1000 meters below the surface. As a result, despite their massive size and huge tentacles, they aren't exactly a risk to the average sailor.

 

Yet, the reason why these squids get so large, in the first place, is due in part to their insane diet. Using two large tentacles with serrated suckers to capture prey, it typically eats both deep-sea fish species and other species of squid, with their only known predators being sperm whales, pilot whales, and deep-sea sharks.

 

Recent research also indicates that giant squids will sometimes practice cannibalism, although scientists are not exactly sure why this is. Regardless, this certainly goes to show that these squids can certainly be quite vicious.

 

Now, the interesting thing about the giant squid specimens is that they are rather rare, as they're almost never seen in the wild and only wash up on beachfronts on occasion. Yet, as of now, the largest ever measured was recorded in New Zealand in 1879, after it was found lying on a beach at Lyle Bay, coming in at a massive 16.75 meters.

 

It was truly a monstrosity, and it certainly would have been a sight to behold in the wild. However, until deep-sea technology improves to make the giant squid sightings and measurements easier, this record will likely remain unsurpassed.

 

Number 4: The Great White Shark

 

While great white sharks may be ferocious creatures, there are many master fishermen out there who have tried their hand at catching one. Of course, in order to have a chance at doing so, you have to have the right equipment. After all, great white sharks, which grow to as long as 6.1 meters and can be as heavy as 2,250 kilograms, won't be reeled in with your run-of-the-mill fishing rod.

 

As such, to date, the late Alfred Dean of Southeastern Australia holds the record for catching the largest great white shark. Born in 1904, like his father before him, he was a grape farmer by trade. As such, he could only go fishing outside of the grape-growing season, which was primarily in December and January and just after the annual harvesting period in April. Nevertheless, he took as many deep-sea fishing trips as he could, and after a few years of doing so, constructed his own custom boat specifically made for shark fishing.

 

It was in this boat that, in April of 1955, he finally struck it big. Fishing outside the waters of the small town of Seduna, Australia, he snagged a massive shark on his hook, wrestling with it for about 70 minutes before finally pulling it in. Bringing the beast back to nearby Denial Bay, the shark ended up ringing in at a massive 1,208 kilograms.

 

And while that may not be as large as some of the biggest sharks recorded in the wild, to put Dean's feat into perspective, no shark fisher since then has caught anything within 340 kilograms of this record. As a result, unless shark fishing technology massively improves, it will likely hold the record for years to come.

 

Number 3: The Black Marlin

 

As far as swordfish go, the black marlin truly stands out amongst the rest. Found throughout the Pacific Ocean, the black marlin has been observed at a maximum length of 4.65 meters, a weight of 750 kilograms, and speeds of as much as 36 kilometers per hour. Given both these characteristics and its impressive physical appearance, it should come as no surprise that the black marlin is one of the most highly prized game fish in the world.

 

However, as far as records go, it's Alfred C. Glassell Jr. who, for more than 60 years, has held the record for catching the largest black marlin specimen. An American oil magnate and professional fisherman, he was featured on a number of national fishing teams and was known to be an avid philanthropist to marine biology research programs.

 

It was this passion for marine biology that caused him to travel to locations around the globe in order to fish, and on the day of his record-breaking attempt in August of 1953, he found himself off the coast of Cabo Blanco, Peru, which has waters renowned for their so-called Marlin Boulevard. It was here that he reeled in a black marlin that weighed in about 710 kilograms, making it the largest fish in the marlin family to ever be caught.

 

It was as a result of both this catch and a string of others that Glassell Jr. was eventually inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in 2001. And to this day, both his black marlin and many of his other catches can be viewed at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

 

Number 2: The Kamchatka Sea Monster

You'd expect a monster coming out of the ocean to have fins, gills, and maybe even a tentacle. But this monster is unique due to it being covered in fur. Found in August of 2018 in northern Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, the monster is believed to have come from the Bering Sea. At least three times larger than the average human, the beast had gray and white-colored fur, a possible tail or tentacle, and reportedly smelled horrendous. However, despite its massive proportions, it had no head and appeared to be a large blob.

 

Yet, the most notable thing about this creature is that its fur was, in fact, tubular fur. Tubular fur is rather unique because it's hollow and has the texture of a fiber optic cable, the same type of fur found on polar bears. It helps to keep them warm despite the freezing temperature of the waters they live close to. Therefore, for a fish of some sort to have this fur is rather shocking.

 

However, while this creature may be frightening, scientists have found an answer to what it really is. Although we are not yet sure of the official results, many believe that the creature is a globster, which would mean it's simply part of the carcass of a larger animal, such as a whale.

 

As put by marine biologist Sergey Kornev, under the influence of the sea, time, and various animals from the smallest to the largest, a whale often takes on bizarre forms. This is only part of a whale, not a whole one. Now, whether this is true or not is yet to be seen.

 

After all, the horrible stench that came from the monster would support the idea that it is a decaying carcass. However, the tubular fur would support the hypothesis that it could have been its own creature. Yet, be it a globster or not, it definitely was a fascinating discovery.

 

Number 1: The Whale Shark

The whale shark rounds out this list due to it being not only a massive animal but the largest non-citation animal in the world. On average, whale sharks reach lengths of about 9.8 meters and can weigh in at about 9 tons. And they get to these impressive sizes thanks in part to the copious amounts of plankton they consume.

 

Interestingly, it's been reported that they are, in fact, one of the most docile fish in the sea. They will often be very friendly with human divers. As a result, the whale shark is really the definition of a gentle giant, and the largest of them all is truly incredible.

 

However, it must be noted that it's very hard to accurately measure a whale shark. This is because measurements on land have often been tainted by the fact that the whale shark's body will often be stretched out to give it an unrealistically long length. All measurements in the water are often inaccurate due to the use of knotted ropes to measure length, which are, in short, often inaccurate.

 

Regardless, some especially large individuals have been reported. The largest and most obscure recording was done in 1868 when Irish natural scientist Edward Percival Wright was told that there were specimens upwards of 21 meters in the area around the Seychelles.

 

However, in more modern times, the largest recorded specimens were slightly smaller, with an 18-meter individual being measured in the wild in 1994 and a 20.75-meter long specimen being measured in 1995 after it got stranded on the Ratnagiri coast. Yet, in either case, it goes without saying that the whale shark can grow to a pretty impressive size.

 

That's all we have for you today, everyone. Let us know in the comments down below which sea animal was your favorite. And if you enjoyed this, don't forget to like and follow so that you never miss out on any of our latest content.