More than 5,000 as yet unknown creatures found in the Pacific Ocean

Scientists from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have discovered more than 5,000 different animal species in the Clarion-Clipperton Deep Sea region of the Pacific Ocean. This vast area lies between Hawaii and Mexico at a depth of about 6 kilometers.

Only 6 of them have already been seen

Biologists have been actively exploring the area with deep-sea divers for several years. This is because the region is rich in cobalt, nickel and other minerals and may soon fall into the hands of mining companies. This will inevitably lead to a change in fauna.

The researchers state that 90% of the species found have never been seen or studied before. Many don’t even have a name, and almost all of the animals found here are not found anywhere else. It is stated that only six of them have been seen elsewhere, including the predatory sponge and sea cucumber. The newly discovered creatures are mostly arthropods, worms and echinoderms.