By: Valentina Guo

Near the East Pacific Rise and Galapagos Islands, huge hydrothermal vents thrive 1,900–3,600 m (6,200–11,800 feet) under the ocean. These vents are tube shaped ports that shoot water reaching temperatures over 700 degrees Fahrenheit, but despite that, many creatures live in the area, and even flourish because of it!

You’d be surprised how many species live down there, including Riftia pachyptila, Alvinella pompejana, Ridgeia piscesae, the Yeti crab, and a variety of other crab species. Although all of these creatures live among the hydrothermal vents, by far the one that have been studied the most are tubeworms.

Here’s a quick summary: tubeworms can grow up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) long and get nutrition from symbiotic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, which of course, are released by the hydrothermal vents.

These underwater creatures were discovered by a diving robot, “Alvin”, on a trip to the bottom of the Pacific ocean in 1977.

“‘This is the first time that animal life was found below the surface’ of hydrothermal vents, said Monika Bright, an ecologist at the University of Vienna and lead scientist on the expedition.”, The New York Times wrote.

But there are other animals nearby too.

In a recent study in 2015 by Dr. Sven Thatje and his team from the University of Southampton, the Yeti Crab, or “Hoff” crab, found in 2011, for the first time, has been described.

“There are three species of Yeti crabs known. They belong to a relatively unknown group of squat lobsters, known as Kiwaidae, that thrive in hot waters.”, EarthSky writes.

Thatje and his team studied the species over the course of six dives, finding that “the crabs exceeded 700 specimens per square meter.”

The crabs survive by piling on top of each other, creating a very thick density and relying on bacteria they grow on their fur-like setae for nutrition.

BBC says they reproduce by “releasing many larvae into the water so that a handful reach other vents and colonize them.” The females are estimated to lay eggs in the colder waters, since the hydrothermal vents are too warm for the larvae to develop.

“there’s so much mystery to be discovered in our Earth,” said Monika Bright, an ecologist at the University of Vienna and lead scientist on the expedition. “I feel like I know this place. I’ve studied this place for 30 years. And still, you can find something unexpected.”

All the way on the bottom of the Pacific,despite the temperature, and lack of sunlight and oxygen, colonies thrive and live together.