Whale fall seen at 3,238 meters (10,623 feet) below the surface near Davidson Seamount in
NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with
Nautilus Live. When whales die at sea, they sink to the seafloor where they can feed other organisms. While evidence of whale falls have been observed to remain on the seafloor for several years, this appears to be a relatively recent fall with baleen, blubber, and some internal organs remaining. The site also exhibits an interesting mid-stage of ecological succession, as both large scavengers like eel pouts are still stripping the skeleton of blubber, and bone-eating Osedax worms are starting to consume lipids (fats) from the bones. Other organisms seen on site include crabs, grenadier, polychaetes, and deep-sea octopuses!
