Scientists have recently discovered a species of shrimp living near the mouth of a deep-sea volcano in the Caribbean, where water temperatures can reach up to 450 degrees Celsius.
Until now, most of us believed that all food needed to be cooked at a temperature of 100 degrees Celsius to be safe and well-done. However, the world is full of surprises, and many astonishing phenomena still remain hidden. The most notable example is the “stubborn” shrimp known as Rimicaris hybisae (deep-sea volcanic shrimp) – a “warrior” that challenges the abilities of chefs.
So far, there has been no documentation on how to prepare this shrimp. The surprising reason is that this species does not die at 100 degrees Celsius; in fact, they can survive even at temperatures of 450 degrees Celsius and continue to crawl around.
This shrimp is believed to live deeper than any other shrimp species known in the world, dwelling at depths greater than 5,000 meters in a fissure at the ocean floor where a volcano known as “Black Smoker” is still spewing hot water into the ocean.
This species was discovered around 2012 in the deepest volcanic region of the Caribbean seabed, regarded as the “hottest place on Earth.” Due to the dark environment, most deep-sea volcanic shrimp are completely blind. However, some species possess light-sensing organs on their backs, helping them navigate in the dark.
Rimicaris hybisae lives in environments where water temperatures are 4.5 times higher than the boiling point without being cooked.
High-temperature tolerance: The shell of the deep-sea volcanic shrimp is made from a special mineral with a high melting point and thermal stability, allowing the shrimp to survive in high-temperature conditions. Additionally, the cells within the shrimp can withstand high temperatures, enabling them to perform normal physiological activities in extreme heat – they can survive in environments close to 500 degrees Celsius, meaning boiling water cannot cook them.
High-pressure tolerance: The body structure of deep-sea volcanic shrimp is compact with well-developed muscles, helping maintain bodily stability in high-pressure environments. Furthermore, their cell membranes are highly stable, allowing them to maintain normal physiological functions under high pressure.
High salinity tolerance: The exterior surface of deep-sea volcanic shrimp has a special mucus layer. This mucus can prevent salt from entering the shrimp’s body, thereby protecting the cells from the high-salinity environment.
Rimicaris hybisae shrimp live in colonies of up to 2,000 individuals per square meter around a 6-meter-high volcano mouth with numerous vents.
Thousands of Rimicaris hybisae shrimp clustered around the vents of the “Black Smoker” volcano.
These vents often release hot fluids rich in copper into the ocean. Scientists have not been able to measure the exact temperature at the vents, but they estimate that the water temperature here could exceed 450 degrees Celsius.
Although scientists have discovered many things about deep-sea volcanic shrimp, many mysteries still surround this unique organism. For instance, we still do not know exactly how they communicate with each other or their lifespan.
Mining activities on the seabed may threaten the habitat of deep-sea volcanic shrimp, leading to a decline in numbers or even extinction. Protecting deep-sea environments is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring the sustainable development of ocean ecosystems.
