A bizarre marine worm found in the icy waters near Antarctica is grabbing attention online—and it’s not hard to see why. With an oval-shaped body covered in shimmering golden bristles and a gaping, tooth-lined maw, this creature looks like a holiday ornament straight out of a horror movie.

Known as Eulagisca gigantea, the worm is part of the polychaete family, often called bristle worms due to their signature spiky exteriors. While it may have recently gone viral thanks to striking photos shared on social media, this unusual worm is a long-time resident of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica.

A Look at the Strange Predator

Measuring about 8 inches in length, Eulagisca gigantea has a distinctive “head” that is actually a retractable pharynx. When feeding, this section of its throat extends outward, revealing sharp teeth that hint at its predatory habits. The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History notes that this throat extension can reach up to 2 inches, allowing the worm to scavenge or prey on other marine creatures.

Its bristles, which glow a metallic gold, may serve multiple purposes—swimming, defense, or crawling along the seafloor. However, much about this deep-sea species remains a mystery, as scientists have not extensively studied its biology or behavior since it was first identified in 1939, according to the World Register of Marine Species.

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