In 2017, while exploring a seamount during an expedition on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, a team of deep-ocean explorers came upon an extraordinary seascape. Dr. Chris Mah of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) dubbed the scene the “Forest of the Weird.” Among the different sponges within this alien-like community was one that could not be missed. Rising high on a stalk, this sponge had a body with two large holes. They're oddly reminiscent of the large eyes of the alien from the beloved movie, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial.