‘Alien’ Creature Stuns Internet When They Realize What It Really Is

A strange marine worm, *Eulagisca gigantea*, recently made waves online due to its eerie look—an oval body, golden bristles, and a toothy, extendable throat. Found in the icy waters near Antarctica, this 8-inch bristle worm is part of the polychaete family, known for their spiky exteriors.

Its retractable pharynx can stretch up to 2 inches, allowing it to catch prey. Despite being discovered in 1939, much about this creature remains unknown. Its shimmering bristles might help it swim, defend itself, or crawl along the seafloor.

Polychaetes are a highly diverse group, with over 8,000 known species—and likely many more yet to be discovered. A recent photo of *Eulagisca gigantea* taken from 1,700+ feet deep sparked both fascination and horror online, reminding us of the ocean’s weird and wonderful life.