• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Frightening new species of sea monster has 20 arms and looks like facehugger from Alien movie

Home> News> Animals

Published 10:12 12 Aug 2023 GMT+1

Frightening new species of sea monster has 20 arms and looks like facehugger from Alien movie

Wonder what else lurks in the deep blue...

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle

Anyone who is into their sci-fi will probably have an image of the spine-chilling facehugger from Alien seared permanently into their minds forever.

But, what would you do if I told you marine biologists have found something of a real-life facehugger lurking in the frozen depths of Antarctica?

Well, brace yourself for some unsettling snaps as a frightening new species of sea monster with 20 arms has been discovered and its got a pretty bizarre name to match its equally odd appearance.

Marine biologists have discovered a brand-new sea creature species.
McLaughlin, Wilson and Rouse

Advert

It all started when a group of scientists embarked on a series of expeditions through the Southern Ocean between 2008 and 2017.

The whole purpose of the mission was to hunt for 'cryptic' sea animals known as Promachocrinus if you're fancy, and Antarctic feather stars if you're not.

Although more similar to other invertebrates like starfish and sea cucumbers, the creatures - which sport an 'otherworldly appearance' when swimming - are 'large' in size and can live up to 6,500 feet below the water's surface.

The 'otherworldly creature' lives up to 6,500 feet below the water's surface.
McLaughlin, Wilson and Rouse

Advert

On the expedition, the group found eight totally unique species on their mission, including four which have never before been named by scientists.

One of which has been named Promachocrinus fragarius, or the Antarctic strawberry feather star.

Sounds weirdly quite pretty considering its appearance is akin to the creature from the Alien movie.

The creatures were named after their 'strawberry-like' body from which 20 spindly arms branch off.

Advert

Photos of the feather star show that the creature appears to have two different types of arms; the lower ones look slightly thinner and shorter with stripes while the others appear to be longer and feathered.

The 'strawberry-like' body branches off to 20 separate arms.
McLaughlin, Wilson and Rouse

The team noted that the Antarctic strawberry feather star can also range in its coloring - from 'purplish' all the way to 'dark reddish'.

The findings were published last month (14 July) in the peer-reviewed journal Invertebrate Systematics.

Advert

The research team for the discovery included Emily McLaughlin, Nerida Wilson and Greg Rouse who identified the Antarctic strawberry feather star as a new species based on its body shape and DNA analysis.

People likened the sea creature to the facehugger in Alien.
Facebook/Eric Browne

Understandably, the news has left quite the impression on the world with many rushing to social media to share their reactions to the incredible discovery.

One Facebook user penned: "This is terrifying."

Advert

A second joked: "It looks like the creature from the first Alien movie when it came out of its egg."

"Yeah I've seen that movie, please leave it frozen," echoed a third.

"Alien's living under the ice," claimed a fourth.

A final Facebook user quipped: "Weirdest strawberry I've even seen."

Advert

That's for sure.

Featured Image Credit: Greg Rouse

Topics: Animals, News, Weird, World News

Rhiannon Ingle
Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • NASA explains stunning Earth phenomenon captured from ISS that looks like something from a movie
  • People left with nightmares after man dives 65 feet into sea to prove the frightening reality of the ocean
  • Viewers ‘petrified’ after finding out what horse sweat looks like
  • Scientists accidentally discover 'immortal' sea creature that has the ability to 'time travel'

Choose your content:

15 mins ago
2 hours ago
3 hours ago
  • 15 mins ago

    Diners left speechless after common menu abbreviation mistake left them with huge bill

    The bill left people divided

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Travelers issued warning over 'airport theory' TikTok trend that is making people miss flights

    The trend might feel brilliant if you succeed and awful if you fail

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Teen camp counselors reveal chilling moment they wrote girls' names on their bodies as Texas flood death toll rises

    So far, at least 27 campers have lost their lives

    News
  • 3 hours ago

    Body language expert reveals what really happened as Emmanuel Macron gets 'rejected' by wife in awkward moment

    Brigitte Macron apparently rejected her husband's hand... again

    News