Animals Found in the Abyssal Zone

The abyssal zone of the ocean is found at depths ranging from 6,560 to 19,080 feet, according to Thewildclassroom.com. Sunlight does not reach this part of the ocean, which causes the abyssal zone to remain in constant darkness. There are no plants found in the abyssal zone, according to Nova Online. This is because there is no sunlight to support photosynthesis. Instead, tiny microbes serve as producers by using chemothynthesis and oxidizing hydrogen sulfide from ocean floor vents. This provides nutrients for animals higher up the food chain in the abyssal zone.

  1. Giant Squid

    • Giant squids are found in the abyssal zone, according to Thewildclassroom.com. The largest giant squid ever found measured was 59 feet in length and weighed nearly one ton, according to "National Geographic." Giant squids are approximately the size of a school bus. Giant squids have the largest eyes in the animal kingdom with some measuring 10 inches in diameter. These eyes allow them to detect objects in the abyssal zone where there are little amounts of light. Giant squids have been found throughout all the oceans of the world, but scientists are not sure of their specific range.

    Deep Sea Shrimp

    • Deep sea shrimp are found in the abyssal zone, according to Thinkquest.org. The scientific name for the deep sea shrimp is Solenoccera sp., according to Mpeda.com. Very little is know about deep sea shrimp because of how deep they live in the ocean. However, scientists do know that deep sea shrimp are capable of bioluminescence, according to "Discover" magazine. Bioluminescence is having the ability to produce light with bodily chemical reactions. This allows the deep sea shrimp to see objects in the abyssal zone despite lack of sunlight, according to the Scripps Center of Oceanography.

    Oarfish

    • Oarfish are located in the abyssal zone, according to Thinkquest.org. The scientific name for the oar fish is Regalecidae glesne, according to Seawater.no. The oarfish is the longest documented fish on the planet and can reach lengths of up to 17 meters. Oarfish live in other zones aside from the abyssal zone and often wash up on the shores of beaches.

    Viper Fish

    • The scientific name for the viper fish is Chauliodus sloani, acording to Bellsouthpwp.net. These deep sea fish grow to weights of up to 23 grams and range from six to ten inches in length. The fangs of the viper fish are so large that they do not fit inside their mouth. The viper fish is considered one of the fiercest predators of the deep sea. Viper fish attack creatures in the abyssal zones at high speeds.