This "death-ball” sponge, a new deep-sea creature hunts prey with tiny hooks

Ocean’s Meat-Eating Death-Ball Sponge (Image: The Nippon Foundation-Nekton Ocean Census/Schmidt Ocean Institute)

A bizarre new sponge species has been discovered deep in the Southern Ocean. Unlike ordinary sponges, it does not filter water for tiny food particles. Instead, it actively traps and consumes small animals using tiny hooks.

Researchers have nicknamed it the “death-ball” sponge due to its unusual appearance. The creature belongs to the genus Chondrocladia, infamous for strange predatory sponges.

Most sponges are passive, filtering microscopic plankton from surrounding water. The death-ball sponge, however, snags small crustaceans and invertebrates with hooked structures. Its spherical body resembles a hunting trap in miniature, deadly form. This feeding behaviour is incredibly rare among what are usually gentle animals.

Scientists found the sponge at 3,601 metres (11,814 feet) depth near Antarctica. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) documented its unusual shape and hunting behaviour. The discovery occurred during the Nippon Foundation–Nekton Ocean Census project. Alongside this sponge, the team recorded nearly 30 previously unknown deep-sea species.

The finding challenges long-held assumptions about sponge biology and behaviour. It highlights the mysteries of deep-sea life, largely unexplored by scientists. Each new species reveals unique adaptations to extreme pressure and darkness. Researchers emphasise much of the collected material remains under study.

The death-ball sponge reminds us that the ocean still holds secrets. From predatory sponges to scale worms, the deep sea is full of surprises. Every expedition uncovers creatures that expand our understanding of life. This tiny hunter proves even sponges can be fierce, fascinating predators.