Earths oceans are a collection of vast and varied ecosystems that remain largely a mystery to this day. Indeed, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, only about five percent of the worlds seas have been explored. And yet, humankind has nevertheless uncovered a staggering array of sea animals that are as bizarre as they are beautiful.Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesScary ocean animals like this ferocious-looking monkfish both awe and horrify deep-sea anglers.Take the scary ocean animal known as the sea anglerfish, for example. This deep-sea creature is known for the odd luminescent lure attached to its face that helps it to capture prey in the most isolated depths of the sea. Then, theres the less menacing though equally odd sea cucumber, a vegetative and vulnerable-looking creature that is nonetheless considered to be among the most complex organisms in the sea.From the terrifying to the surreal, these are some of the most bizarre sea animals in the world.The Shapeless Sea Animal Known As The BlobfishClick here to view slideshowThe blobfish has commonly been crowned as the "world's ugliest fish," which is actually an impressive feat given just how many weird and scary ocean animals exist in the sea.More gelatinous than grandma's pudding, the jiggly blobfish, or Psychrolutes microporos, has successfully captivated the internet for its shapeless form. But underwater, the blobfish doesn't actually look like an amorphous pink puddle.In its natural habitat on the seafloor, the blobfish looks like any other fish with dark grey-ish coloring and texturized skin. So how does this weird ocean animal go from a normal-looking underwater to pink Jell-O on land?Well, it has to do with the blobfish's biological makeup. Typically found off the coast of Australia, these fish live at extreme depths of 9,000 feet, where the pressure is 120 times higher than it is at the surface. Land mammals, like humans, are incapable of surviving in such a pressurized environment, which is why researchers must explore the deep sea in the safety of submarine vessels. Similarly, as a sea animal that is accustomed to a highly-pressurized habitat, the blobfish cannot physically withstand our low-pressure environment outside the water. "Unlike most other fish, the ones that live in these depths don't have gas-filled cavities like swim bladders that would collapse under the extreme pressure," explained Henry Reich, a science communicator and host of the online science show Minute Earth. "In fact, super-deep water fish often have minimal skeletons and jelly-like flesh, because the only way to combat the extreme pressure of deep water is to have water as your structural support."When it is taken out of the highly-pressurized habitat that essentially holds its body's shape together, the blobfish's lack of skeleton and muscle combined with its jelly-like skin collapses, turning it into the gooey creature of internet fame. While the blobfish's lack of physical integrity translates to a total catastrophe above water, it is the perfect biological feature for it to survive its environment. For example, when it comes to eating, the blobfish simply opens its mouth and floats about, noshing on any sea critters that enter its path. This allows the blobfish to preserve energy, an important ability in such an extreme environment. Sadly, the blobfish is a common bycatch victim of fishing trawlers, and it's suspected that its bizarre appearance has contributed to a general ambivalence toward its wellbeing. Luckily, the weird ocean animal isn't endangered. The Deep-Sea Hatchetfish, The Weird Ocean Animal That Glows In The DarkClick here to view slideshowGiven the extreme depths to which scientists must go to find the tiny yet frightful hatchetfish, little is known about them. The bizarre sea creatures derive their name from their razor-thin bodies, which resemble the blade of a hatchet.These fish can typically be found nearly 200 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean. There are roughly 40 known species of hatchetfish that exist in the ocean with sizes ranging between less than two inches to five inches long. Among the more well-known deep-sea hatchetfish species are the half-naked hatchetfish (Argyropelecus hemigymnus), the silver hatchetfish (Argyropelecus aculeatus), and the false oblique hatchetfish (Sternoptyx pseudodiaphana). As tiny deep-sea inhabitants, hatchetfish mainly prey on equally little crustaceans and plankton.Besides its super thin body, deep-sea hatchetfish are easily distinguishable due to their beady eyes and luminescent exterior. Hatchetfish possess bioluminescent properties, which they can regulate depending on the conditions of their environment.This ability is known as "counter-illumination." The light is emitted through a row of luminescent organs on the fish called photophores. These special organs allow this scary sea animal to emit a glow from their bellies that matches the color of the light around it, essentially rendering it invisible.According to researchers, this form of camouflage works in both the deep sea and brighter waters near the surface. It's a skill that comes in handy when evading predators lurking in the depths of the ocean or when while swimming near the surface in search of food.Even more remarkable, however, is the fact that each species of hatchetfish has its own distinct pattern of bioluminescent lighting.The post 7 Real-Life Sea Animals That Look Like H.P. Lovecraft Creations appeared first on All That's Interesting.