Deep sea mermaid by MeganMissfit on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Everyone likes to portray mermaids as these beautiful, sexy, seductive creatures who drag poor sailors to their deaths by captivating them with their alluring beauty. That's nice and all, but it's time for something different

This time, Megan decides to draw something a little less attractive

These mermaids inhabit the deep sea, living about 1800m below the surface, mostly in temperate and sub-tropical oceans. They have evolved from the mermaids living in shallower waters, losing their hair, eyesight, and sense of smell. In the complete absence of light, their captivating beauty is no longer needed. Instead of capturing hapless sailors, these mermaids rely on their developed bioluminescence to lure small fish, squid and crustaceans into their clutches. They have also been known to feed on carrion who have sunken to the sea floor. With a slower metabolism, they are able to go weeks, even months without feeding.