The deep sea is known to host some creepy critters, but the carnivorous “death-ball” sponges take this creepiness to a whole new level. Unlike its typically meek, gentle brethren, this sponge lurks in the depths of the Southern Ocean—the waters surrounding Antarctica—using tiny hooks to trap its prey.

The sponge, Chondrocladia sp. nov . , is just one of 30 new, esoteric species researchers confirmed from expeditions conducted at different parts of the Southern Ocean. During the research cruises, the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census, in collaboration with the Schmidt Ocean Institute and other partners, collected roughly 2,000 specimens across 14 animal groups, in addition to taking thousands of images and hours of video.

The Ocean Census released photos of these deep-sea creature

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