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Homescience

Scientists mistook these 10 marine animals for plants

These marine creatures are so deceptive that scientists once mistook them for plants. Their shapes, colours and movement perfectly mimic underwater vegetation, creating confusion for researchers.

Gurpreet Singh | December 17, 2025 / 17:43 IST
1/10
1. Ghost Pipefish: The Ghost Pipefish mimics seagrass perfectly, hiding from predators. Its delicate body and elongated fins make it resemble underwater plants effortlessly. (Image: Canva)
1. Ghost Pipefish: The Ghost Pipefish mimics seagrass perfectly, hiding from predators. Its delicate body and elongated fins make it resemble underwater plants effortlessly. (Image: Canva)
2/10
2. Sea Lily: Sea Lilies are echinoderms, not plants. Their feathery arms filter plankton, waving gracefully like flowers anchored to the ocean floor. (Image: Canva)
2. Sea Lily: Sea Lilies are echinoderms, not plants. Their feathery arms filter plankton, waving gracefully like flowers anchored to the ocean floor. (Image: Canva)
3/10
3. Ghost Nudi: Ghost Nudibranchs are tiny, translucent sea slugs. Their plant-like appearance confuses predators while camouflaging among algae and soft corals. (Image: Canva)
3. Ghost Nudi: Ghost Nudibranchs are tiny, translucent sea slugs. Their plant-like appearance confuses predators while camouflaging among algae and soft corals. (Image: Canva)
4/10
4. Juvenile Orbicular Batfish: Juvenile orbicular batfish appear as drifting leaves in the water. Their flattened bodies and slow motion mimic floating plant debris. (Image: Canva)
4. Juvenile Orbicular Batfish: Juvenile orbicular batfish appear as drifting leaves in the water. Their flattened bodies and slow-motion mimic floating plant debris. (Image: Canva)
5/10
5. Leafy Sea Dragon: Leafy Sea Dragons have leaf-like appendages. They float among kelp, blending perfectly, making early scientists mistake them for marine plants. (Image: Canva)
5. Leafy Sea Dragon: Leafy Sea Dragons have leaf-like appendages. They float among kelp, blending perfectly, making early scientists mistake them for marine plants. (Image: Canva)
6/10
6. Christmas Tree Worm: Christmas Tree Worms resemble tiny, colourful underwater trees. They extend feathery spirals from coral, filtering water while camouflaging as plant structures. (Image: Canva)
6. Christmas Tree Worm: Christmas Tree Worms resemble tiny, colourful underwater trees. They extend feathery spirals from coral, filtering water while camouflaging as plant structures. (Image: Canva)
7/10
7. Sea Sponges: Sea Sponges look like rocks or marine vegetation. Their porous bodies filter water, yet they were once misidentified as simple plants. (Image: Canva)
7. Sea Sponges: Sea Sponges look like rocks or marine vegetation. Their porous bodies filter water, yet they were once misidentified as simple plants. (Image: Canva)
8/10
8. Sea Anemone: Sea Anemones attach to rocks like stationary plants. Their tentacles resemble flowers waving in the current, tricking early naturalists. (Image: Canva)
8. Sea Anemone: Sea Anemones attach to rocks like stationary plants. Their tentacles resemble flowers waving in the current, tricking early naturalists. (Image: Canva)
9/10
9. Hydrozoans: Some colonial hydrozoans mimic seaweed. Their delicate branching structures filter plankton, appearing plant-like despite being predatory animals. (Image: Canva)
9. Hydrozoans: Some colonial hydrozoans mimic seaweed. Their delicate branching structures filter plankton, appearing plant-like despite being predatory animals. (Image: Canva)
10/10
10. Crinoids: Crinoids resemble underwater flowers or plants. Their feathery arms sway in currents, filtering plankton while tricking scientists with their floral appearance. (Image: Canva)
10. Crinoids: Crinoids resemble underwater flowers or plants. Their feathery arms sway in currents, filtering plankton while tricking scientists with their floral appearance. (Image: Canva)

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