install theme
eduardo-: allcreatures: A juvenile hawksbill turtle takes its first swim after being released as part of a breeding programme, North Male Atoll, Maldives. I got asked recently why the Hawksbill Sea Turtle, (Eretmochelys imbricata) is named the way it is. And well, for once in the world of nature, the name is actually a sensible one. You see, the Hawksbill has a very unique beaked top lip (rather like that of a Hawk, as it goes). While other sea turtle species also have a beaked lip - a requirement for their dietary preferences - the Hawksbill is easily the most distinctive amongst the Chelonioids. This aids in its ability to predate upon various forms of invertebrates. Primarily this takes the form of Poriferans - sea Sponges, which makes up a significant portion of their dietary intake. They are also known to feed upon various forms of Cnidarians, chiefly amongst which are the Scyphozoans (or, true Jellyfish), and many types of benthic algae. The “hawked” beak allows them to do all of this with ease, where a different mouth structure would make their task that much more difficult. So there ya go - they might not soar through the air like Accipitrinids do, but they are every bit the Hawk of the sea.
gastornis: frumpytaco: The larva of an ocean sunfish (Mola mola).  The spines are probably used for defense and/or to reduce sinking rate.  Sunfish eggs are produced ~30,000,000 at a time.   I learned something new today.
This is like an overdose on cuteness! The Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) is a tiny seahorse, measuring in at less than 2 cm (0.79 in). These cuties inhabit the western central Pacific Ocean, and live exclusively on fan corals. Pygmy Seahorses can be recognized by their distinct size and the tubercles coming off of their bodies, which helps them to blend in with the fan coral and hide from predators. Since they have prehensile tail and remarkable camouflage, it’s nearly impossible to spot one..In fact, they weren’t discovered until a scientist had been studying the gorgonian coral these seahorses inhabit. It was then that he discovered a seahorse on this branch of coral he was studying! Adult Bargibanti’s Seahorse can normally be found in pairs of clusters of up to 28 seahorses on a single branch of gorgonian. They may be monogamous but it’s not known for sure yet. Breeding is all year-round, and as most other seahorses, it’s the male that will give birth. Gestation lasts about 2 weeks, and the fry is independent from birth.  Photo credit: Mike Hohman
ferocities: Requins citron - Bahamas (by ludovicsavariello)
bewareofsharks: (via Zebra Shark | Flickr - Photo Sharing!)
Let’s talk octopus reproduction! That’s right, we’re learning how this cute little Cephalopod was made.  Male octopuses have a special arm, called a hectocotcylus, to insert spermatophroes (packets of sperm) into the female’s mantle cavity. On most octopus, it’s normally the third right arm. Males typically die within a few months of mating. In some species, females are capable of keeping the sperm alive inside of her for weeks until her eggs mature. After fertilization, the female will lay around 200,000 eggs (but may vary dramatically) and hangs these eggs in strings from the ceiling of her lair, or individually attatches them to substrate, once again depending on the species. She will then take a one month break from hunting in order to guard her eggs from predators, and blow currents of water over her eggs for oxygen. She may even go so far as to ingesting her own arms for sustenance. By the times the eggs hatch, the mother is too weak to fend for herself and will often be attacked by animals, unable to fight back. The baby octopuses will drift in clouds of plankton, feeding on copepods, larval crabs, and larval starfish until they can descend to the ocean bottom, and the cycle will repeat. Photo credit: Michael Bok
montereybayaquarium: What does a flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) look like when it’s five hours old? Check it out! Our husbandry staff is working with this species behind the scenes for possible exhibit one day.
thepolarbearblog: Siku has gained an army of fans around the world  (Sky)
theoceaniswonderful: Don’t move! by mathetdjam on Flickr.
TOP