Mysteries of the Twilight Zone | Worlds of the Deep

In the deep ocean, life is concentrated at chemosynthetic oases where primary production is made possible via chemosynthesis at cold seeps and deep sea hydrothermal vents. The non-chemosynthetic regions of the deep are divided into two very different worlds. First is the midwater, where pelagic wanderers tread migratory routes that span entire oceans, and planktonic drifters and their predators take part in bioluminescent light shows. It is separated into zones based on depth, including the sunlight zone (epipelagic), twilight zone (mesopelagic), midnight zone (bathypelagic), abyssal and hadal zones. And below, lies the deep sea floor. A kingdom of mud and ooze, where sessile creatures cling to any solid outcrop and corals craft kingdoms on the seamount crusts. The worlds of the deep sea could not be more different, and yet their stories are fundamentally intertwined. In this episode, we delve into the Twilight Zone.

Episodes:
1 - The Twilight Zone
2 - The Midnight Zone - coming soon
3 - The Abyssal Plain - coming soon
4 - Seamounts and Canyons - coming soon
5 - Hydrothermal Vents - coming soon

Written, narrated and edited by me, Leo Richards. This channel (Natural World Facts) is a solo passion project dedicated to exploring the wonders of the natural world and telling stories that inspire! I'm so excited to share this series with you at last.

00:00 - Introduction to the Deep Ocean
04:04 - The Ocean Midwater
05:21 - Introducing Schmidt Ocean Institute
06:54 - The Sunlight Zone (Epipelagic)
08:51 - The Twilight Zone (Mesopelagic)
10:40 - Twilight Zone Drifters - Gossamer Worm
11:28 - Twilight Zone Drifters - Bloody-belly Comb Jelly
12:12 - Twilight Zone Drifters - Swimming Sea Snails
12:48 - Twilight Zone Drifters - Deep Sea Siphonophores
14:47 - Twilight Zone Drifters - Meroplankton and Larvae
15:35 - Twilight Zone Drifters - The Life Cycle of Jellyfish
16:31 - Twilight Zone Drifters - Deep Sea Jellyfish
17:38 - Introducing Nekton - Active Swimmers
18:38 - Deep Sea Cephalopods - The Glass Octopus
19:10 - Deep Sea Cephalopods - The Glass Squid
19:52 - Deep Sea Cephalopods - Inking as Defence
20:41 - Deep Sea Cephalopods - Mimicry of Swordtail Squid
21:43 - Deep Sea Cephalopods - Hunting Techniques
22:38 - Deep Sea Adaptations - Countershading and Counter-illumination
23:54 - Deep Sea Adaptations - Silvering in Cutlassfish
25:43 - Deep Sea Adaptations - Silvering in Hatchetfish
27:00 - Deep Sea Adaptations - Strawberry Squid
27:40 - Vertical Migration - Introduction
29:14 - Vertical Migration - the Largest Migration
30:50 - Vertical Migration - Deep Sea Lanternfish and Humboldt Squid
32:30 - Vertical Migration - the Deep Sea Food Web
33:55 - The Midnight Zone (Bathypelagic)
35:13 - Sponsored Segment - Masterworks X NWF

Disclaimer from sponsor:

This video and information about Masterworks are not targeted to residents of any particular country or jurisdiction. Investing involves risk and the value of investments can go up as well as down. Before investing you should review the offering circular for the particular offering you are considering, including the section entitled "Risk Factors". Masterworks and its agents are not registered to of er investment services in any non-U.S. jurisdiction and the offerings have not been registered, reviewed, or approved by any regulatory authority in any non-U.S. jurisdiction. Accordingly, non-U.S. residents must take reasonable steps to confirm that their participation in a Masterworks offering does not violate the laws of the jurisdiction in which they reside.

Music Used:

All tracks sourced from Artlist, aside from the closing track which was created by Tatiana A. Gordeva.

#deepsea #wildlife #nature #documentary #ocean #marinebiology #science #biology

[NaturalWorldFacts]

I've started posting some previews of episode 2 of this series, covering the Midnight Zone.

[NaturalWorldFacts]

Hi all, I’ve been working on this film for 4 months, balancing it with University and other films, so I’m super excited to share this at last! Do let me know if you enjoy. It’s been a pleasure working with Schmidt Ocean Institute and the breathtaking raw footage they so kindly provided. Episode 2 - the Midnight Zone - is underway and I can’t wait for you all to see that too!

[Juiced]

This is what I’m looking for.
No dramatised tv films, just facts about the natural world beautifully put together.

[jasonrodriguez]

I’m one of the ROV pilots for SOI. That siphonophore was longer than 50m. That was just the outer ring. That glass octopus was also much bigger than 40cm. What a great video. Thanks for putting all that together

[deusexaethera]

"The deep sea floor is, at first glance, a place of filth and decay -- destitute, perhaps, and full of horrors. But if we look a little closer, we uncover a place of beauty -- a realm where corals craft mighty kingdoms on the seamount crusts; where the delicate structures of sponges provide refuge for others; and where scavengers attend bountiful feasts that last for decades."

This is just _achingly_ poetic.

[Jakolb]

The production value in these videos are insane. Well done!

[xyza]

I really enjoyed this entire video. The stunning otherworldly footages, calming music and your soothing voices. Looking forward to the next episode!

[RoundSeal]

I'm only a bit over halfway through, but I wanted to say — beautiful work. You have such a knack for making these videos. I was completely enthralled (the footage of that Glass octopus took my breath away)and you've completely captured that childhood wonder I had while watching documentaries like this as a kid. Even how you narrate is perfect; gentle, clear, and slow. You've made something absolutely beautiful.

[livveylovely]

this film is so beautiful. the sound design, music, narration, and footage are all so breathtaking. the creatures are described with awe and respect instead of fear or discomfort. it’s very refreshing to see. i’m excitedly awaiting the release of the second episode!!!

[Danika_Nadzan]

What a wonderful addition to your already fantastic channel offerings, Leo! Mesmerizing and beautifully produced as always. I am absolutely awed by the amazing variety and beauty of the deep ocean's inhabitants, and truly appreciate your efforts to showcase them for us. I'm eagerly anticipating the next episode!

[adrenalinekick]

Whoever did the sound design for this video did an amazing job. Really well done sound effects and background music to keep people captivated.

[toiletpaper]

These documentaries are amazing. Honestly one of the best nature documentaries I've ever watched.

[KerasinafLega]

Hi! Im currently working on my video game project, that is located in the deep sea. My man, you can not understand how much your videos are helping me out with the creatures and the rules of the deeps. Thank you so much for helping me. Thanks to your videos, I can listen to your amazing voice instead of searching a thousands of web-sites and forums on google. Appreciate your fantastic work! Keep going. Huge love to your videos

[cixx]

the baby jellyfish being born at 15:49 and starting to swim was too adorable i started crying

[Monovid]

As a student interested in becoming a marine biologist, your videos remind me of the reason why I'm studying: the passion and love for the ocean and its inhabitants. Thank you for continuously reminding me of why I'm doing this all :)

[bonegloss]

Thank you for presenting nature and ocean life in a way that doesn’t make everything seem weird, creepy, alien and crazy. I have dearly missed more matter-of-fact and down to earth presentations of nature that were lost for a while during the reality tv booms that gained foothold in discovery and animal planet.

I love your channel so so much. I can’t wait for more

[zadock]

I really loved this. I loved everything about this. I can't believe you made this by yourself, this looks like this would be something that would be shown on tv. I can't wait for episode 2. I always had a fascination with deep sea life

[supercheesedragon]

I have been so excited for this! Your work is absolutely fantastic and your dedication to providing high quality, free nature documentaries is wonderful! Thank you!

[rasmusvanwerkhoven]

Grab your popcorn and goggles, everyone!! It’s going to be phenomenale

[mariamendoza]

This is seriously higher quality than a lot of the films I’ve seen played in the big boy natural history museums!!!