Seahorses, sea cows — of course there has to be a sea pig to round out the oceanic barnyard! Unfortunately, sea pigs are not creatures that SCUBA divers will encounter during their diving adventures, since they live at the bottom of the seafloor in the deepest depths of the ocean. They can actually be found at depths reaching nearly four miles beneath the surface! However, even though divers don’t encounter them, they are still interesting marine creatures we have a feeling you would like to know more about.
What’s in a Name?
The sea pig’s somewhat indelicate name comes from its resemblance to actual pigs. It has a pinkish coloration and is rotund like your average oinker. However, there are multiple obvious differences, the first of which is that it would never be found on terra firma. The long tentacles that come off its head makes it look more like an alien than a pig, really. They also are very small — the average specimen would fit in the palm of your hand at just four to six inches in length.
How Sea Pigs Live
These creatures actually are more like cows than pigs when it comes to the way they live. They are typically found together in massive cattle-like herds on the ocean floor. But like their namesake, they absolutely love mud. In the sea pigs’ case, they derive their nourishment from the mud on the sea floor, using their tentacles to sift through the mud to feed on organic particles that drift down to the bottom of the ocean. Once the giant carcass of a whale has made its way to the seafloor, you can bet dollars to donuts the sea pigs will come out in droves to take advantage of the windfall.
It’s Hard Out There for a Sea Pig!
On top of having to deal with the lack of light and extreme pressures at the bottom of the ocean, they also have to face constant parasite infestation as a result of their skin being so thin. In fact, it is so thin that it is actually transparent, allowing the internal organs to be visible from the outside. These organs serve as a food source for some parasites, which will burrow through the pig’s skin to feast upon their innards. Pretty rough deal for what essentially equates to the ocean’s housekeepers, but the sea pig seems unfazed.
Nonetheless, the sea pig is a fascinating creature. Take a look at this video to get a gander at one of the ocean’s most exotic life forms, and be sure to watch it all the way to the end (slightly NSFW).
