Giant Oarfish in California!

This is so cool!

Newspapers exploded a few weeks ago when two giant 'sea serpents' washed up on the California shoreline. An eighteen-foot long oarfish was recovered from the water near Santa Catalina Island on October 13th, followed by yet another fourteen-footer just fifty miles away.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/science/earth/oarfish-offer-chance-to-study-an-elusive-animal-long-thought-a-monster.html?_r=0

The oarfish, Regalecus russelii, is a deep-sea dwelling creature that predominately inhabits the waters in the Western Pacific Ocean. Known to live in depths as great as 1,000ft. below the surface, oarfish are incredibly adapted to life at extreme pressures and darkness. However, some scientists believe that they spend much time at the surface as well. 

Because so little is known about the species life cycle, populations, and overall ecological role, the two astounding specimens prompted a frenzied marine biologist field day. In a podcast released by NOAA, you can listen to scientists discuss current research topics revolving around the elusive oarfish. 

http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/podcasts/2013/10/oarfish.html#.UnagLXazKpi

Most marine biologists will say that ancient tales of sea serpents have stemmed from oarfish sightings. (I can see why!) Oarfish have only been observed in the wild a handful of times, so the fact that two of these creatures were found dead within the same week suggests that there is something 'fishy' going on in the waters off California. Researchers hope to shed new light on the cause of death and reproductive mechanisms of the species. Further studies may reveal chemical or physical changes in the underwater world that we still know so little about.

Cheers for science!