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.
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.

A 2016 study published in Royal Society Open Science used DNA analysis to estimate that the number of undiscovered marine worm species could be double current estimates. These creatures, while strange to human eyes, play vital roles in ocean ecosystems and offer insights into the mysteries of life in the deep sea.
A recent Facebook post highlighting Eulagisca gigantea showcased a specimen retrieved from a depth of 1,706 to 2,198 feet in the Antarctic Ocean. The image captured its extruded jaws and the eye-catching golden hue of its bristles, sparking fascination and a mix of horror among viewers.
