The Whipnose Seadevil, Gigantactis vanhoeffeni, has a rounded and blunt snout, a mouth filled with sharp teeth, and a long fishing rod extending from its face, diagnostic characters for the Whipnose Seadevils. "Gigantactis" translates to "giant ray," which is a reference to the exceptionally long rod, or illicium, extending from the nose of the female. At the end of the illicium is the lure, or the esca. The esca is bioluminescent and accommodates bioluminescent bacteria, which are responsible for the light production. The lure is used to attract potential prey items to within striking distance. This individual was captured between 900 meters depth and the surface in the Gulf of Mexico, 2011.