The Poop-Propelled "Headless Chicken Monster" of the Deep Sea
It feeds on marine snow — and has a see-through digestive tract.
The article "The Poop-Propelled "Headless Chicken Monster" of the Deep Sea" from BBC's Science Focus explores the Enypniastes eximia, a bizarre deep-sea sea cucumber. This transparent, glowing creature feeds on marine snow and can shed its skin to evade predators, playing a crucial role in deep-sea ecosystems.
BBC's Science Focus is packed with news, discoveries, ideas and innovations to keep you up-to-speed with the complexities of the fast-moving world around us. Learn more about subscriptions here.
BBC's Science Focus is packed with news, discoveries, ideas and innovations to keep you up-to-speed with the complexities of the fast-moving world around us. Learn more about subscriptions here.
Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.
Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.
More Like This
The article "Manatees: Gentle Sea Cows of Rivers and Oceans" from BBC's Discover Wildlife is a guide to these slow-moving aquatic mammals. It explains the different types of manatees, their habitats, diet, size, and how they reproduce. It also highlights the threats they face and the conservation efforts underway to protect them from extinction.
The article "Humpback Whales: Giants of the Ocean and Their Amazing Behavior" from BBC's Discover Wildlife explains the extraordinary lives of humpback whales. These giant marine mammals, known for their acrobatic leaps and complex songs, migrate across oceans, exhibit cooperative feeding behaviors like bubble-netting, and communicate in ways that mystify scientists. Despite their size, they are gentle giants, and their populations have made a remarkable recovery since the whaling industry nearly decimated them.
The article "Masters of Regeneration: These Death-Defying Animals Can Regrow Body Parts Better Than Deadpool" from BBC's Discover Wildlife examines how some animals, including axolotls and starfish, have remarkable regenerative abilities. Scientists study these creatures to understand tissue regeneration, which could have implications for medical research.
The article "Amazing Animals of Madagascar and Where To Find Them" from BBC's Discover Wildlife is a guide to the extraordinary animals found only on the island of Madagascar. It describes different species like lemurs, aye-ayes, fossas, and giraffe-necked weevils, and the parks and reserves where visitors can see them in their natural homes.
The article "Manatees: Gentle Sea Cows of Rivers and Oceans" from BBC's Discover Wildlife is a guide to these slow-moving aquatic mammals. It explains the different types of manatees, their habitats, diet, size, and how they reproduce. It also highlights the threats they face and the conservation efforts underway to protect them from extinction.
The article "Humpback Whales: Giants of the Ocean and Their Amazing Behavior" from BBC's Discover Wildlife explains the extraordinary lives of humpback whales. These giant marine mammals, known for their acrobatic leaps and complex songs, migrate across oceans, exhibit cooperative feeding behaviors like bubble-netting, and communicate in ways that mystify scientists. Despite their size, they are gentle giants, and their populations have made a remarkable recovery since the whaling industry nearly decimated them.
The article "Masters of Regeneration: These Death-Defying Animals Can Regrow Body Parts Better Than Deadpool" from BBC's Discover Wildlife examines how some animals, including axolotls and starfish, have remarkable regenerative abilities. Scientists study these creatures to understand tissue regeneration, which could have implications for medical research.
The article "Amazing Animals of Madagascar and Where To Find Them" from BBC's Discover Wildlife is a guide to the extraordinary animals found only on the island of Madagascar. It describes different species like lemurs, aye-ayes, fossas, and giraffe-necked weevils, and the parks and reserves where visitors can see them in their natural homes.