Marine scientist spots ‘real-life’ SpongeBob and Patrick, netizen’s can’t keep calm

The image showed a yellow sponge resting beside a pale pink star fish just like the characters of the show, the only one missing probably was Squidward Tentacles. The sea sponge and star were seen 1,885m inside the Atlantic Ocean on an underwater mountain called the Retriever Seamount.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Okeanos Explorer made the discovery while on an expedition this week. The photo was captured by a remotely-operated Okeanos Explorer ship, which maps the vast oceans and explores life that lies beneath the surface.

Mah, a biologist who specialises in sea stars, told Business Insider that the image stood out to him because “most depictions of Patrick and SpongeBob are incorrect”. He added that there are thousands of varieties of sea sponges but rarely are any as square as the one shown in the cartoon.

“I thought it would be funny to make the comparison, which for once was actually kind of comparable to the iconic images/colors of the cartoon characters,” Mah added. He told the news outlet that he was particularly surprised by its bright yellow color, which is “unusual for the deep sea”. “That far down, most things are orange or white to help them camouflage in the dimly lit environment.”

The SpongeBob-like sponge in the image, Mah said, belongs to the genus Hertwigia, while the starfish’s scientific name is Chondraster.

The uncanny resemblance to the cartoon characters has left the internet in a frenzy.

pic.twitter.com/IYmITFnN69

— snowskatermn (@snowskatermn) July 30, 2021

hysterical and beautiful!

— Speechgal 🌊🌊 (@speechgal2018) July 30, 2021

Spongebob doesn’t look quite himself. 😂

— Gotsumpnferya (@gotsumpnferya) July 30, 2021

pic.twitter.com/uNgQXOdNNG

— Jonathan (@Jmartens299692) July 29, 2021

They’re REAL! 😄❤️ https://t.co/pcwDuw2E9G

— Daisycutter (@SachinDPatange) July 31, 2021

1885m?!?! God DAMN that is Bikini BOTTOM, that’s Bikini Rock Bottom, Bikini BEDROCK, Bikini Basal Zone way down there holy shit… https://t.co/PirDO8bUpy

— Drawing is hard!!!!!!!!!! (@bambiwithwings) July 31, 2021

NO WAY! THIS ROCKS 😆😆😆 https://t.co/5EtTZLpYXo

— Summer Tilman (@summerthealien) July 31, 2021

This makes me so happy 😊😊😊 https://t.co/819DgnIata

— AlanaLolita she/her 🇵🇷🏴#LFGM🧡💙 (@AlanaLolitaNYC) July 30, 2021

that’s one good lookin’ sponge 🧽 and ⭐️fish https://t.co/Wgc4TE3TJu

— Claire:) ⊬ (@Cjello13) July 30, 2021

I KNEW THEY WERE REAL!! https://t.co/56Ljg3ue0F

— Steve / pro-God, pro-Pride (@HeySteveMartin) July 30, 2021

I think this is one of the best tweets I’ve seen in a while! https://t.co/MYp5O2xi5m

— Lisa Z she/her (@LisaforColes) July 30, 2021

Wow who knew😦 https://t.co/6dSrvQNDFR

— Let’s play 😈🍆💦 (@dannithewild) July 30, 2021

Forget Covid and the Olympics. Most important story of the year right here. https://t.co/v7GIfc5vOl

— Kate Wood (@KateWoo23600390) July 30, 2021

I grew up on this show. 🥲 https://t.co/9BJcyFooIF

— Patrick Brenner (@pmbrenner91) July 31, 2021

omg my favourite spongebob squarepants and patrick really exist!! haha😂😂 https://t.co/XuIVHx79Q6

— sophiechanelala ◡̈ 사랑해김선호 (@sophiechanelala) July 30, 2021

Finally, science news that makes me smile instead of recoil in dread and horror! https://t.co/all1hH3BWJ

— Kelly (@tamugirl99) July 30, 2021

My inner 6 year old is loving this 😂 https://t.co/SAxjoDh4Hs

— Liam Gleason (@LiamGleason39) July 30, 2021

Spongebob and Patrick has literally been found! Now if I see a squirrel with an astronaut outfit underwater then I’m calling it staged. 😂 https://t.co/kbsKJtK8Mj

— Mad World (@mmmadWORLDDD) July 29, 2021