Shore Buddies webblog
Wisdom Wednesday | Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber
Tiger Tail Sea Cucumbers are the largest sea cucumber in the Western Atlantic. They feed on algae and detritus. Juveniles often mimic sea slugs by crawling around on the bottom slowly filtering sand through their tentacles to gather food. Once older, they can spread their tentacles above them to capture plankton. A number of sea cucumbers feed nocturnally while others feed by day. Sea cucumbers often attract hitch-hikers like shrimps and crabs that crawl over their skin. As a means of defence sea cucumbers can expel their intestines or respiratory organs in the form of sticky threads, but these can quickly regenerate
Wisdom Wednesday | Picasso Triggerfish
“While the fish in this photo appears to be sitting there allowing me to take his photo it was quite the contrary. He came up at me from the sandy bottom with such intent and speed that I couldn't believe I managed to get him in the frame, let alone having him and is grumpy face in focus!” Picasso Triggerfish vocalizes using a "grunting" sound.
Wisdom Wednesday | Rockfish
Some rockfish can live to be 100 years or older. Most Rockfish grow very slowly and don’t reproduce until they are at least 10 years old. Believe it or not, rockfish are aged accurately by analyzing the bones in their ears! Some species of rockfish are very territorial and may stay at a ‘home site’ for years. Rockfish often extend their dorsal spines and lean towards an approaching threat. If this defensive posture fails to discourage an approaching threat, most rockfish will then head for nearby cover. Rockfish have air bladders which allow them to float motionless in the water column. This helps them to sneak up on prey very quietly to strike.
Wisdom Wednesday | Red Coney
Wisdom Wednesday | Leopard Sharks
Living up to about 30 years, leopard sharks can be found in shallow muddy waters, particularly Northern California. Often times they are preyed upon by larger sharks, like the Great White, but they themselves eat relatively small animals like worms, crabs, octopus, and fish. Branching off from a species of houndshark in the Triakidae family, adult leopard sharks can grow up to 6 feet long, but typically average at about 5 feet.
Wisdom Wednesday | Penguins
We all know that penguins can’t fly, but did you know that they have adapted their wings to be better at swimming in the water? Their black and white coloring helps them to camouflage while they are darting through the seas. From below their white bellies appear to be nothing else than the sun reflecting on the water, and from above their black feathers blend in with the ocean.
Wisdom Wednesday | Parrotfish
One might think the parrotfish gets its' name from its bright colored scales, but did you know it is actually because of its' fused teeth which resemble that of a parrot beak? Additionally, the color of their scales is determined by their sex, status, or maturity.
Wisdom Wednesday | Batfish
Did you know that batfish are actually not strong swimmers? Even with their long anal and dorsal fins, scientists know batfish to be a “sleeper species” because they play a vital role in the upkeep of coral reefs but can only do so under certain conditions.
Wisdom Wednesday | Sea Turtles
Land turtles and sea turtles are very different. For example, sea turtles can’t hide in their shells from predators as land ones do. They also have boat-rudder-like legs to help them steer in the water as they swim.
Wisdom Wednesday | Manta Rays
Unlike their cousin, the stingray, manta rays are completely harmless with their tiny teeth and dormant tail. Additionally, they have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish, making them arguably one of the smartest in the sea!
Wisdom Wednesday | Orcas
Known as the “killer whale,” orcas are classified as apex predators because no other sea creatures actively hunt them. Some animals they eat include different types of fish, seals, squid, and even large animals like whales and the great white shark!
Wisdom Wednesday | Coral Reefs
Did you know some coral reefs are THOUSANDS of years old?! Although they only take up 1% of the ocean floor, our coral reefs provide 25% of marine life a place to live.