In 2017, a truck screeched to a halt. One of its containers slid off, hit a car, and spilled its contents— thousands of kilograms of hagfish. The result of this accident was an absolute mess: the highway was coated in a thick slime that took the fire department 7 hours to clear. How did these creatures create this stupendous supply of slime? Noah R. Bressman and Douglas Fudge investigate. [Directed by Denys Spolitak, narrated by Jack Cutmore-Scott, music by Jarrett Farkas].

Noah R. Bressman and Douglas Fudge: The world's slimiest animal

The world's slimiest animal

Hagfish, Earth's slimiest creatures, evade predators with copious slime, showcasing nature's ingenuity in defense mechanisms.

Hagfish slime, expanding to 10,000 times its original volume, offers insights into sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based fibers.

Surviving 36 hours without oxygen and thriving for over 300 million years, hagfish exemplify resilience and ecological importance.