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Life at the thermal vents is amazing. Octopi are the top predators, eating mussels, crabs and clams. Tubeworms are very prevalent, growing to almost two meters in length.
Interestingly, tubeworms do not have a stomach or mouth. They never leave their tube which provides protection for other creatures and the strong chemicals. Tubeworms have billions of symbiotic bacteria living inside them which produces sugars that are then used as food.
Microbes, the smallest and very beginning of life are extremely prevalent. They are also the base of the food chain. They are chemo-autrophis, which means that they create energy from the chemicals that seep out of the vents. We have barely began to learn about these amazing creatures! They are so complex!
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