If you aren't afraid of the ocean, maybe stop reading this article now. Don't let my fear of the depths of the unknown affect you. Keep living your life, ignorance is bliss.
Challenger Deep, an area of the Pacific Ocean located near the southern end of the Mariana Trench, is thought to be the deepest area in the ocean. By our best estimate, that spot is 36,200 feet deep. That's 29 Empire State Buildings.
In the depths of those 29 Empire State Buildings lies a terrifying hellscape filled with creatures that make me want to never step foot in a body of water again. There are hundreds of sea creatures that I could list here, but I'm going to narrow it down to the most threatening superlatives.
1) Goblin Shark
Sometimes, these handsome fellas are referred to as vampire sharks. I definitely can't understand why. They're are actually so few sightings of these bad boys we can't even get a proper estimate on how many there might be. There have been sightings in the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, Japan, and the Gulf of Mexico. You aren't safe anywhere.
(Just kidding, they feed on tiny organisms and sometimes squid. You're okay).
2) Pacific Viperfish
They attract their prey with their glowing bellies. Like a small, silly fish, if I somehow ended up 4,500 meters deep in the ocean, I would probably walk to a glowing light out of panic and fear. At that point, these giant teeth would sink into me and no one would hear my screams in the ocean.
3) Fangtooth Fish
These guys hang out at 5,000 feet below sea level which is 500 times more pressure than exists on land. Dead eyes? Check. Scary fangs? Check. Pointing scales? Check. This is getting unpleasant.
4) Giant Isopod
Remember when you were in second grade and someone in your class got lice and you felt itchy for the next week, worried that one of those bad boys had hopped from the offenders head to your own? These guys are like those, but much, much bigger.
5) Sea Lion
I'm not afraid of these because of the way they look, I'm afraid of them because of what would inevitably happen if I saw one. Because they are essentially beautiful sea dogs that look like they would enjoy being cuddled, I would walk right up to one and try to befriend it. These guys are territorial and become aggressive quickly, but would that stop me? No way. Guess who's getting bit today?
Summer is approaching, and even though most people will probably enjoy going to the beach this summer and splashing in the waves, it might not be the smartest idea. The ocean is filled with things that scare the crap out of me.
