What is the bathypelagic zone?
Quick Answer
The bathypelagic zone is the deep ocean layer from about 1,000 to 4,000 meters, where no sunlight penetrates.
The Full Story
The bathypelagic zone is often called the midnight zone because it is completely dark and extremely cold. Pressure increases dramatically here, and food is scarce, so animals tend to be slow-moving and energy-efficient. Many species, such as anglerfish and gulper eels, have unusual jaws, stomachs, or light-producing organs that help them catch prey in darkness. Exploration of this zone accelerated with deep-submergence vehicles and remotely operated submarines in the 20th century.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"Inside the ocean’s midnight zone, predators glow and sunlight never arrives."
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