The deep sea is home to weird and wonderful creatures that, over millions of years, have evolved specific traits to survive the extreme conditions of their habitat. These adaptations to their environment have resulted in some truly alien-looking animals.

Scientists define the deep sea as encompassing all ocean waters below 656 feet (200 meters). In these regions, sunlight filtering through the water from above begins to dwindle, giving way to a realm of complete darkness, frigid temperatures and crushing pressure.

Some of the deepest-dwelling animals have adapted to the abyss by adopting light-producing organs to attract prey or signal to each other. Others have evolved gigantic mouths, expandable stomachs or mismatched eyes. Regardless of their specific traits, deep-sea creatures have captured the imagination of many people due to their otherworldly — and often nightmarish — appearance.

Thanks to much exploration over the past few decades, scientists have described quite a few of our deep-dwelling neighbors. So, without further ado, here are 32 of the weirdest creatures that inhabit the deep ocean.

Snipe eel

Snipe eels (family Nemichthyidae) have beak-like jaws and slender bodies. They are found at depths between 980 and 2,000 feet (300 to 600 m), although some individuals have been hauled up from 14,800 feet (4,500 m) deep. Relative to their size, snipe eels have large eyes, which the eels use to avoid predators. Their jaws are curved upward and remain open as they swim so the eels can snatch prey on their path. Snipe eels can grow up to 6.6 feet (2 m) long, depending on the species. (Nine species have been described so far.)