Real SpongeBob Patrick Starfish Sea Sponge
No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks, scientists may have discovered the real-life equivalent of SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star. These two were spotted by a remotely-operated vehicle from NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer ship more than a mile beneath the Atlantic Ocean’s surface. Sponges are a common sight in the ocean, as there are more than 8,500 species, but rarely do they resemble a cartoon character.



The one you see in this video belongs to the genus Hertwigia, signified by its bright yellow color. These are a rare sight in the deep sea, as most in these depths are orange or white in color for camouflage purposes. Patrick Star is actually a Chondraster, which boasts five arms covered with tiny suckers that enable it to crawl across the ocean floor and attach itself to rocks.

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