The sweetest animal in the world discovered by accident – you’ll be surprised what it is!

The world of science and the internet has a new star—a small, pink creature quickly dubbed the sweetest animal in the world. This extraordinary discovery is thanks to a NOAA Fisheries research expedition, which stumbled upon this unique species while exploring the ocean. What makes it so special?

From the depths to Internet fame

The story of the sweetest animal in the world began in the Gulf of Mexico in August 2024. While collecting coral samples, scientists made a serendipitous discovery. A small crustacean had hitched a ride on a plastic bag filled with coral samples. It turned out to be a young representative of the species Neolithodes agassizii, a member of the king crab family, strikingly pink and spiny. Although its appearance might seem comical, its innocent gaze and unusual looks melted the hearts of millions online. A video of the tiny creature perched on a purple glove quickly went viral, amassing over 10 million views on Platform X.

This is the cutest, spikiest, tiniest crab in the world! (Don't quote us on that—it's called hyperbole.)

It was found during an operation in the Gulf of Mexico, which collected samples of mesophotic and deep-sea coral species for lab rearing and propagation.
Credit: @sanctuaries pic.twitter.com/ObYx2YveHW

— NOAA Fisheries (@NOAAFisheries) January 8, 2025

Where does the sweetest animal in the world come from?

Neolithodes agassizii is a deep-sea species that typically avoids human contact. Its accidental discovery during the research expedition allowed scientists to learn more about this remarkable creature. For researchers, it’s not only an interesting subject for observation but also a valuable source of information about deep-sea biodiversity.

The spiny crustacean, crowned the sweetest animal in the world, inhabits the depths of the Western Atlantic. Adult individuals reach only about 12 cm in length (excluding legs) and can be found at various depths—ranging from 200 to an astonishing 1,900 meters below the surface. The extreme environmental conditions require these creatures to possess exceptional adaptive abilities, such as their hard exoskeleton, which helps deter potential predators.

Is it a crab?

Despite its resemblance to a crab, Neolithodes agassizii is not actually one. Formally, it belongs to the infraorder Anomura, distinguishing it from true crabs (Brachyura). A key difference? The number of legs. Anomurans have three pairs of legs plus a fourth with pincers, while crabs have four full pairs of legs.

It’s worth noting that the evolutionary history of anomurans stretches back 250 million years. Their unique body structure and physical traits make them a fascinating subject for studying adaptations to diverse environmental conditions.

The phenomenon of carcinization

So why does the sweetest animal in the world look so much like a crab? The answer lies in a phenomenon called carcinization. This is an example of convergent evolution, in which different species develop similar forms as they adapt to comparable environmental conditions. For instance, dolphins and sharks have similar body shapes, even though they belong to entirely different animal groups. In the case of Neolithodes agassizii, nature gave it features reminiscent of crabs, even though it is only a distant relative.

Carcinization is an incredibly intriguing phenomenon that demonstrates evolution’s ability to repeatedly develop similar solutions across different evolutionary lineages.

An accidental stowaway

How did a deep-sea creature end up aboard a research vessel? Most likely, Neolithodes agassizii mistook the plastic bag for another marine organism—a sea cucumber, also known as a sea pig. Sea cucumbers, which feed on detritus, play a crucial role in deep-sea ecosystems, supporting biological balance. Neolithodes agassizii can take advantage of their presence, using them as temporary shelter from predators. This is a perfect example of the interdependence of species in a complex ecosystem.

The sweetest animal in the world not only showcases the wonders of nature but also underscores the importance of ocean exploration. The depths of the oceans remain largely unexplored, and studying them allows us to better understand the mechanisms regulating life on our planet and the role oceans play in global environmental processes.

Main photo: NOAA Fisheries / Facebook