A deep-sea swimming cucumber, also known as a “headless chicken monster,” has been captured on camera for the first time in the Southern Ocean off east Antarctica.
The Enypniastes eximia, which had previously only been filmed in the Gulf of Mexico, can be seen in a footage released on Oct. 21.
The video was taken by an underwater camera system developed by the Australian Antarctic Division for commercial long-line fishing.
“Some of the footage we are getting back from the cameras is breathtaking, including species we have never seen in this part of the world,” Australian Antarctic division program leader Dr. Dirk Welsford said. “Most importantly, the cameras are providing important information about areas of sea floor that can withstand this type of fishing, and sensitive areas that should be avoided.” JB
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