Coral Reef Fact:
Most species of brain coral (corals in the family Faviidae) will defend their habitat by stinging other corals that get too close to their section of the reef.
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Coral Reef Fact:
Marrus orthocanna, a deep sea siphonophore. photo: http://www.siphonophores.org/
Siphonophores are gelatinous colonial creatures meaning they are made up of a collection of individual parts—each with a specialized function. Some species of siphonophore’s can reach be longer than a blue whale making them the longest animal. Learn more
Fact source National Geographic
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Coral Reef Fact:
The Spotted Eagle Ray (Aetobatus narinari ) “ is capable of leaping completely out of the water when pursued. It swims by “flying” gracefully through the water via the undulation of the pectoral fins. When this ray is caught and taken out of the water, it produces loud sounds.” Learn more at the fact source site – FL Museum of Natural History
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Coral Reef Fact:
Discarded or abandoned fishing equipment and other types of debris can entangle, maim and kill marine animals. Debris entanglement & ingestion has been documented in 43% of marine mammals, 44% of seabirds, and all put one species of sea turtle globally.
Learn more
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Ocean Fact:
The flukes of a sperm whale as it dives into the Gulf of Mexico (courtesy NMFS)
Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) use echolocation to find food. The whale emits a beam of high-frequency clicks. Structures in the whale’s head help to form & focus the sound beam. Returning sounds are received & transmitted to the inner ear allowing the whale to form a “picture” of its surroundings.
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Coral Reef Fact:
Coral polyps photo: NOAA
Corals can reproduce sexually & asexually. Asexual reproduce starts with one “founder” coral polyp who will continue to expand through budding. This cloning expands the colony adding new polyp layers through out the life of the coral colony.
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Coral Reef Fact:
Manatee calf nursing (Trichechus manatus) photo: Rathburn, Gaylen. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Manatee – The Gentle Giant (video)
The West Indian manatee travels by pushing itself forward using their tails and steers with their flippers. In shallow water these flippers are used to walk on the bottom. Learn more
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Coral Reef Fact:
Caribbean Electric Ray (Narcine bancroftii) SEFSC Pascagoula Laboratory; Collection of Brandi Noble, NOAA/NMFS/SEFSC
The Critically Endangered, Caribbean Electric Ray (Narcine bancroftii) is frequently caught as by-catch by trawl seining net fisheries. Although usually discarded survivor rates are low. Pregnant females will often abort embryos upon capture further reduced their population size. Learn more
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Coral Reef Fact:
Blue Tang Source: http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/htmls/reef0386.htm
Surgeonfish have the ability to completely change their color according to their mood. Usually, they maintain a consistent color but when a predator approaches they can change their color pattern within moments.
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Coral Reef Fact:
Photo: FL DEP Mangroves "Walking Trees"
The mangrove shoreline captures sediment, and reduces nutrients and other pollutants from coastal run-off. This is a critical buffer for our coral reefs. Since 1980, worldwide 20% of this important habitat has been lost.
