Viper Fish Research Paper
In the late 1970's, scientists on a regular study of the ocean floor in the Pacific Ocean made a discovery that would stun the entire scientific community. On the East Pacific Rise not far from the Galapagos Islands, nearly 8000 feet below the surface, was a strange landscape covered with what looked like underwater chimneys secreting clouds of black smoke. Surrounding these chimneys was a unique type of ecosystem that had never been seen before.
Until this day, science had always assumed that all life on Earth obtained its energy from the Sun. Plants convert sunlight into energy through a process called photosynthesis. The plants, in turn, provide food and oxygen for countless species of animals in a complex web of life. But here was a sight …show more content…
This fish can be easily recognized by its large mouth and sharp, fang-like teeth. In fact, these fangs are so large that they do not fit inside its mouth. Instead, they curve back very close to the fish's eyes. The viper is thought to use these sharp teeth to impale its victims by swimming at them at high speeds. The first vertebra, right behind the head, actually acts as a shock absorber. This terrifying looking creature has a long dorsal spine that is tipped with a photophore, a light-producing organ. The viperfish uses this light organ to attract its prey. By flashing it on and off, it can be used like a fishing lure to attract smaller …show more content…
Its most notable attribute is the large mouth. The eel's mouth is loosely hinged, and can be opened wide enough to swallow an animal of a much greater size. This giant mouth gives the eel its other common name of umbrellamouth gulper. The gulper eel's prey is deposited into a pouch-like lower jaw, which resembles that of a pelican. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as the pelican eel. The gulper eel's stomach can also stretch to accommodate its large meals. The eel also has a very long, whip-like tail. Specimens that have been brought to the surface in fishing nets have been known to have their long tails tied into several knots. The gulper eel grows to a length of about two to six feet and is found in all of the world's oceans at depths ranging from 3000 to 6000
Until this day, science had always assumed that all life on Earth obtained its energy from the Sun. Plants convert sunlight into energy through a process called photosynthesis. The plants, in turn, provide food and oxygen for countless species of animals in a complex web of life. But here was a sight …show more content…
This fish can be easily recognized by its large mouth and sharp, fang-like teeth. In fact, these fangs are so large that they do not fit inside its mouth. Instead, they curve back very close to the fish's eyes. The viper is thought to use these sharp teeth to impale its victims by swimming at them at high speeds. The first vertebra, right behind the head, actually acts as a shock absorber. This terrifying looking creature has a long dorsal spine that is tipped with a photophore, a light-producing organ. The viperfish uses this light organ to attract its prey. By flashing it on and off, it can be used like a fishing lure to attract smaller …show more content…
Its most notable attribute is the large mouth. The eel's mouth is loosely hinged, and can be opened wide enough to swallow an animal of a much greater size. This giant mouth gives the eel its other common name of umbrellamouth gulper. The gulper eel's prey is deposited into a pouch-like lower jaw, which resembles that of a pelican. In fact, it is sometimes referred to as the pelican eel. The gulper eel's stomach can also stretch to accommodate its large meals. The eel also has a very long, whip-like tail. Specimens that have been brought to the surface in fishing nets have been known to have their long tails tied into several knots. The gulper eel grows to a length of about two to six feet and is found in all of the world's oceans at depths ranging from 3000 to 6000