Apr 4, 2025

10 ocean dweller survives under extreme pressure

Sonal Khandelwal

Pressure

Explore the extraordinary creatures that not only survive but thrive under extreme pressure in the most unforgiving parts of the ocean. These animals reveal the astonishing adaptability of life in places that would destroy most living beings.

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Anglerfish

Dwelling in the ocean’s pitch-black zones, these eerie fish survive immense pressure while luring prey with a built-in glowing appendage. Their body structure is uniquely designed to handle such extreme conditions.

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Deep-sea isopods

Cousins of land-dwelling pill bugs, these oversized scavengers roam the seabed with ease. Adapted to extreme pressure, they move slowly and make the abyss their permanent home.

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Elephant seal

Renowned for their deep dives, these seals can plunge over 1,500 metres in search of food. With lungs that collapse safely and blood rich in oxygen, they are well-equipped for the high-pressure environment of the deep.

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Giant squid

Seldom observed in the wild, these elusive creatures survive in the crushing depths thanks to their soft, pliable bodies. Their ability to function and hunt so far below the surface is still largely mysterious.

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Glass sponges

Despite their fragile appearance, these sponges endure high-pressure conditions with ease. Their glassy skeletons made of silica allow them to grow slowly but steadily on the ocean floor.

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Goblin shark

Living fossils from the deep, these sharks are built for survival under intense pressure. Their extended jaws and sensitive snouts help them detect and capture prey in complete darkness.

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Hadal amphipods

Tiny in size but incredibly robust, these crustaceans inhabit the deepest ocean trenches. Their uniquely designed bodies resist pressure that would destroy most other marine life, enabling them to thrive in the abyss.

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Pompeii-worm

Thriving along hydrothermal vents, these worms handle not just severe pressure but also scalding temperatures. Protected by a layer of bacteria on their backs, they flourish in one of the planet’s most hostile habitats.

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Snailfish

Residing in the depths of the Mariana Trench, these soft-bodied fish withstand pressures over a thousand times greater than at sea level. Their delicate form is perfectly suited to life in the deepest part of the ocean.

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Tardigrade

Often called water bears, these microscopic marvels can endure more than 6,000 atmospheres of pressure. Found even in deep ocean trenches, they represent one of nature’s most durable life forms.

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