There are literally thousands of amazing aquatic species living and coexisting in our beautiful oceans.
The bottom of the ocean is chock full of visually interesting creatures — some of which we haven't even learned about yet. Some of these aquatic animals can look and act very strange, but none are quite as bizarre — or adorable — as these cute, little water worms.
Known as Christmas tree worms, these aquatic creatures look just like tiny, colorful trees. They come in all sorts of colors and shapes, and appear more like festive coral reef decorations than living beings.
Scroll through below to see just how beautiful and fascinating these underwater creatures are – I've really never seen anything quite like them!
These undersea tree worms prove just how much beauty is hiding right beneath the surface of our vast oceans.
Do you love interesting and amazing aquatic species as much as we do? Let us know in the comments.
[H/T: The Dodo]
According to the Dodo, these sea worms — also known as Spirobranchus giganteus — inhabit "tropical and sub-tropical" waters around the world.
They oftentimes build colonies on coral reefs, creating little tunnels to hide from threats.
But when they aren't hiding is when the real magic happens, as they "bloom" into some of the most magnificent-looking creatures in the ocean.
They come in a plethora of different colors, including orange, yellow, blue, and white.
Their colorful — and useful — tentacles filter food particles floating by in the ocean water.
The tentacles also help the Christmas tree worms breathe in much-needed oxygen.
The first half of their name — Spirobranchus — translates to "spiral gills," a reference to their colorful feeders.
These little creatures can live anywhere from a decade up to 40 years, according to the Encyclopedia of Life.
Unlike other aquatic animals, these sea worms don't move; they simply sway with the movement of the ocean, living in the same spot for years and years.
Tree worms are nothing new for true ocean aficionados. They are a huge attraction for undersea divers all over the Caribbean, in particular.
On top of the calcium tubing that the worms create and live within, they receive an extra layer of protection from the coral reefs themselves.
Because these small, adorable creatures are easily spooked, they can quickly retreat into the coral if they feel threatened in any way.
These truly unique sea tree creatures are just one of the many amazing and interesting species that lay beneath the ocean's surface, waiting to surprise us.
Would you want to visit a coral reef with sea trees like these? Let us know in the comments.
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