Oarfish, the Real Sea Serpent

The Oarfish, a true Ocean Leviathan | Deep Sea Wonders

Rarely sighted in its natural habitat, Oarfish are a true mystery of the deep. The largest variety, the Giant Oarfish, can exceed 56 feet in length, longer than any other known species of fish, and weigh up to 600 pounds.

But despite their leviathan size, their small, toothless mouths allow them to only feed on small fish and squid, as well as plankton. They are harmless to humans, yet something about their unparalleled size can inspire a feeling of terror.

Most Oarfish that have been encountered by humans are those that have washed up, dead, on beaches around the world. For reasons as of yet unknown, they come to shallow waters at the end of their life to die, or are beached by strong tides and currents.

What’s peculiar, however, is the fact that almost all of these beached individuals were found to be missing their tail section. A study of a twelve foot giant oarfish that had washed up in 2010 in Sweden found that there were no teeth marks in the snapped of section, and the wound was old. The fish had lived for possibly years after losing the tail section, and in all cases of studied oarfish the rails had all been severed in the last third of the body, in the exact same section. It is believed to be evidence that oarfish are able to perform an act of autotomy, being the ability to willingly detach a body part, much like lizards lose their tails when threatened. Why the Oarfish do this, however, remains a mystery.

Another theory that has arisen from the repeated beaching of this fish is that they give warning of imminent earthquakes. Tectonic movement underwater, the precursor to many earthquakes, is thought to kill these weak swimmers, which soon wash up on beaches before the tremors hit. However, when researchers from 2 Japanese universities studied meteorological records and matched earthquakes to oarfish beachings, they found no correlation. With these fish appearing so mysterious and otherworldly, it's no wonder they inspire a sense of superstition in those who see them.

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Footage used:

Music used
Deep Blue - by Jonny Easton
Check out his channel

More information on this incredible fish:

[mookiesdream]

Not to be confused with the Either-Oar fish, which is a little more flexible in its thinking.

[fabianrojas]

Bro, the music, the scenes, the voice, everything about this video is so relaxing

[snikrdoodls]

A sea creature that looks like it came straight out of a sci-if horror, that is NOT harmful to us humans? That's the most comforting news i've heard in 2021.

[Choomba]

"Detecting multiple leviathan class lifeforms in the region. Are you certain whatever you're doing is worth it?"

[laserlights]

Fun fact: most people say that oarfish ARE the reason sea serpent stories exist. Oarfish are rarely seen at surface.

[derpy-noodles]

isn't possible their tails are their natural ballasts, holding them down. it could explain why they are head up or how they are vertical at all constantly. consciously losing their tail for a reason yet to be discovered, and floating up to the heavens of their world.

[joeydr]

This Chanel should have so many more views it’s brilliant

[jdoutdoorsnature]

What a beautiful fish species, I enjoyed seeing them.

[kilijshark]

Remember seeing this living creature for the first time on River Monsters, couldn’t believe how big they were

[veeraponglourvanij]

animal crossing players: *allow us to introduce ourselves*

[humanwreckage]

This is a really well done channel. Here's hoping you boost up and keep growing.

[Bobby_Fresh]

Big Ups to the Narrator! you can tell me about the process of paint drying and it would sound compelling and inspire wonder at the same time.

[GIRGHGH]

The way he said "*NO correlation*" gave me chills, I'm gonna have nightmares for weeks.

[leminjapan]

I thought they just floated vertically in the ACNH tank cause there was no room for them to swim around. But that's actually how they behave in the wild...ever cool!

[atomwest]

getting into your backlog man its neat to see the progression of your learning of video production. its a ton of work man and youre killing it. absolute bangers, these vids

[keksimusultimus]

"for reasons unknown they come to shallow waters to die"....bruh...that hit hard. they're seeking the sun their whole lives, and when they see it, they rest in peace.

[ShelbyOnSafari]

Whew! Over 56 feet in length! That is one long fish 😬 So trippy how they mysteriously loose their tails, I particularly find the earthquake theory interesting. Bummer there was no correlation in that one study. Loved the pace of this video, very relaxed but thought provoking too! Keep it up! 💚

[Timcanpy]

Jeremy Wade had an episode on this fish, its truly a curious creature, i wasnt aware of the common missing tail section though
They seem to swim up and down from the depths to the surface, in the episode they followed the chain from one of those ocean buoys

[augustocesarmuniz]

This channel has been such a pleasant encounter, the content, the music, the scenes, the narration are so interesting yet relaxing. Please keep going with the amazing content

[Ganaha_Celosia_Priskos]

Yes! In Japan, my native country, oarfish have been rumored to be signs of earthquakes. Like you said it's not really true, but it's been a superstition for years and years that people just continue to go with it haha