CEBU, Philippines - Over 70% of the earth is covered with water and many of the world’s oceans and seas house a vibrant and diverse ecosystem. The Lembeh Strait, just off the northern tip of Sulawesi, Indonesia, teems with life and is home to some of the most bizarre marine species ever captured on camera. Meet the residents of this aquatic haven in Sea of Creepy Monsters, premiering on Animal Planet on Thursday, November 24 at 10:00 pm with encores on Saturday, November 26 at 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm and Monday, November 28 at 6:00 pm.
Sea of Creepy Monsters, a one-hour special, takes you into the depths of the Lembeh Strait, which harbours an exceptional variety of creatures. Many different and rare species abound in this spot because of the strait’s protected location though several species that were once found here - such as the majestic whale sharks and manta rays - have since vanished due to overfishing. The smaller underwater critters that often go unnoticed, however, have not only survived but thrived in an environment where large tracts of the seafloor are covered with lava, sand and garbage. These creepy monsters have been attracting recreational divers with an appreciation for tiny treasures as well as scientists who have discovered previously unidentified species.
Macro cinematography will bring you up-close with inconspicuous creatures that are barely visible to the naked eye, such as a gorgeously coloured sea slug just a few millimetres long, and the pigmy sea horse which only grows to about two centimetres long. Discover how some of these animals make themselves virtually undetectable by employing masterful camouflage. The Filefish, for example, cleverly conceals itself amongst soft corals and moves with the rhythm of the water as if it were a part of the corals while the octopus masters an even more astonishing trick – changing its appearance not only by varying the colour of its skin but also its texture.
The Lembeh Strait also harbours many animals that are still unknown to science, including one of the world’s rarest octopuses – a quaint, hairy creature that can pass itself off as a bundle of fibrous algae. What other denizens remain to be discovered in this sea of creepy monsters?
Learn about some of the Lembeh Strait's more menacing species, such as a member of the frogfish family that has a natural "fishing rod" attached to its body complete with a flap of skin disguised as a tasty worm or shrimp to its unsuspecting prey! Then there are the mantis shrimp that are called thumb breakers by fishermen as they can deliver a blow strong enough to break a bone.
Explore the Lembeh Strait's creepy monsters on Animal Planet this November and discover the fascinating – and sometimes peculiar – creatures of the underwater world.