Gulper Eel Balloons Its Massive Jaws | Nautilus Live

Big gulp! The Nautilus team spotted a gulper eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) doing just that in Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Its pouch-like mouth can inflate in an instant, scooping up much larger prey just like a pelican--and giving it that muppet-like look! This gulper eel was likely a juvenile, as this species can grow up to three feet in length.
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[theplanetthief]

1:27
Eel: *starts to deflate*
Scientists: *excited scientist noises*

[lordoffungi]

The way it wiggles at the end to fold the skin in properly. Dope.

[katsu_x]

"is it... Engorged??? Or does it just kinda.... Look like that...?"

Glad to know the marine biologist has the same reaction to Random Creatures as the rest of us, lmao

[tonyfanfarone]

I remember reading about these gulper eels when I was 6, and at my Nan’s house. Artists rendering only. Hahaha.
I just turned 55 and am thrilled to have access to the incredible video of these fish as well as the others this tech and enthusiastic scientific minds provide. Thanks.

[joeri_o_criador]

Me: Being a marine scientists must be a really serious job

Marine Scientists: *"I think he ate too much"*
*"He's doing the s h a k e"*
*"Touch it"*

These guys are so cool

[thegriffin]

I love the sound of collective recognition when it deflates.

[vermeerdragyl]

"Touch it"
Bikini Bottom Police Officer : Don't touch

[whizzersterriblehorribleno]

“It looks like a muppet :)”
“Touch it!!!”
“Lookit his little face :D”
Being a scientist sounds like so much fun

[SnappyPenguin]

How I thought scientists talked: "This is a unique-looking specimen."
How scientists actually talk: "He looks like a Muppet."

[RuffledRowlit]

Gotta love how these proffesional scientists are acting like a bunch of 12 year olds that just got their hands on slime or something, ”ohhh touch it :D” hehe gotta love it 😂

[reves]

"This isn't even my final form!!!"

[incognitoburrito]

I swear, the types of things these marine biologists say when they’re exploring is so wholesome and full of passion for the ocean, it’s adorable.

[luckylokilight]

"Or is it...like that?" Lol I love that even Knowledgeable Scientists still ask the same questions as us lololol

[norrinradd]

Having seen pictures of this eel, in lots of books, and even specimens in jars in museums, you still don’t get a proper idea, of how they look in life, as well as not having any idea of how their interact within the areas they inhabit, or how they move
So having these videos, made available to anyone who is interested in them, is obviously wonderful, and it makes the Internet worthwhile, and I am eternally grateful to everyone who helps in making the videos, as well as that make them available to us
Once again, thank you 🙏🏻 to everyone involved in these

[iannordin]

It's crazy that none of these trained marine biologists were able to immediately recognize perhaps one of the most well-known deep-sea creatures in the wild because no one has ever actually seen what they look like when fully puffed out before. Really goes to show you how important studying animals in their natural habitat is.

[scottpilgrim]

Love the scientist who undoubtedly has degrees and is way more intelligent than most of us, is first reflex to seeing something new is “touch it!!”

[zuko]

"Awh look at this eel so cute and tiny"

*opens massive jaw*

"Nevermind."

[sovereignvanu]

It's mind blowing how alien these creatures appear to us despite living on Earth longer than we have.

[Mogu]

"in my professional scientific opinion,
It looks like a Muppet."

[sophies]

I manage to stumble back upon this video every year or so and I always get a smile on my face when the marine scientists are baffled like little children.