Researchers discovered what they say is the world's largest known sponge.
The creature is 12 feet long and seven feet wide — about the size of a minivan.
It could also be among the oldest living animals on Earth.
Papahanaumokuakea research specialist Daniel Wagner said he estimates the sponge found off Hawaii to be around 1,000 years old.
"Here's this animal that has presumably never been encountered before and it's enormous and that kind of bring up a little intrigue for deep water and what else exists down there," said biologist Christopher Kelley, at the Hawaii Undersea Research Lab.
