National Geographic Society’s Post

Coastal biodiversity: Tidal pools of the Pacific Rim 🐚🦀 These mini-ecosystems are full of life.⁠ ⁠ "In the Discovery Islands of British Columbia, strong tidal currents and unique underwater topography create localized rapids and zones of upwelling, where Hake (a fish in the cod family) get rapidly forced to the surface of the water, leading to a Bald Eagle feeding frenzy! This phenomenon is the focus of my June/July Bald Eagle photography workshops, although we also spend time with a multitude of marine wildlife species found in the region. The strongest tides that create this feeding frenzy happen irregularly throughout the season and at a slightly different time each day, so how the eagles know exactly when to show up to fish is a bit of a mystery to me. Whatever the answer is, it must be fairly obvious to the eagles, since hundreds will all show up out of nowhere at about the same time and begin fishing!⁠" ⁠ 📷 @liron_gertsman_photography #CoastalEcosystems #MarineLife⁠ #marineconservation #ocean #discoverocean #oceanconservation #saveourocean #marineprotectedarea #oceanoptimism #marinescience #saveourseas #ourocean

Photo by Dave Katz // Experience the thrilling nocturnal scene of a Caiman stealthily navigating Peru's Amazon floodwaters! This elusive reptile, with its piercing eyes aglow in the moonlight, embodies the enigmatic allure of the rainforest after dark. The Caiman, a master of aquatic stealth, prowls through flooded forests, equipped with incredible vision and acute senses to locate prey. Their streamlined bodies and camouflaged presence make them formidable predators in these submerged realms. These apex predators play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance, preying on fish, amphibians, and small mammals, contributing to the intricate web of life within the Amazon's aquatic habitats. Observing the Caiman at night unveils the secrets of the Amazon's nighttime realm, underscoring the vital role these reptiles play in shaping the biodiversity and resilience of this extraordinary rainforest. #AmazonCaiman #NocturnalEncounters #RainforestPredators

Wrecks and effects! - The deliberate sinking of wrecks has been a long-standing practice that benefits the marine ecosystem. For centuries, humans have been intentionally scuttling ships to create artificial reefs, providing a habitat for a diverse range of marine organisms. These wrecks serve as valuable shelters, breeding grounds, and feeding areas for countless marine species. - Artificial reefs formed by shipwrecks attract a variety of marine life, including corals, sponges, fish, and crustaceans. These structures offer protection from predators, as well as a source of food and shelter. The wrecks also act as a substrate for the attachment of corals and other sessile organisms, enhancing biodiversity and promoting the growth of vibrant underwater ecosystems. - Overall, the intentional sinking of wrecks has proven to be a successful method for enhancing marine biodiversity and creating thriving ecosystems. - #wreck #underwaterwreck #shipwreck #ocean #oceanlife #marinelife #marinebiology #scuba #diving #mauritius #uwphoto #uwphotography #uwvideo

# Archelon: The Ancient Sea Giant We Can’t Forget 🐢 Hey LinkedIn fam, Let’s take it WAY back—like, *way* back to the Late Cretaceous epoch, where the oceans were ruled by one beastly turtle: the **Archelon**. This wasn’t your average sea turtle—this thing was MASSIVE. Picture a turtle stretching up to 15 feet long and weighing as much as 7,000 pounds! For comparison, the leatherback sea turtle we have today looks like a shrimp next to the Archelon, maxing out at around 6 feet and 1,100 pounds. First discovered in the late 1800s in South Dakota (yep, this giant was swimming over what’s now land!), Archelon had a gnarly beak, kinda like an eagle’s, which it probably used to munch on its prey. But despite being the heavyweight champ of the ancient oceans, the Archelon couldn’t dodge extinction. As the seas shifted and new predators rolled in, this legendary creature met its end. **So, what’s the takeaway?** Simple: We’ve gotta look out for the creatures we still have left. If the Archelon were around today, it would probably be on the endangered species list. And while we can’t bring this ancient giant back, we can sure as hell stop making the same mistakes with the animals we do have. Whether it’s sea turtles, elephants, or your neighbor’s backyard critters, it’s on us to protect them. Climate change, habitat destruction, pollution—these things are driving animals to the brink, just like what happened to the Archelon. **Let’s step up, fam.** Support conservation efforts, reduce your environmental footprint, and spread the word. Our animal friends don’t have a voice, so it’s on us to speak up for them before it’s too late. ### Hashtags #Archelon #ProtectOurPlanet #WildlifeConservation #SaveTheTurtles #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalAwareness #EndangeredSpecies #AnimalConservation #Sustainability #AncientCreatures #TakeAction --- Let’s keep this momentum going and make sure we don’t let another creature, big or small, fade into history.

"How strange it is that one silly primate can see itself as separate from all those it shares this world with. What might happen if we remembered we are a part of this wild world — and let that understanding and humility guide every choice we make?" - Craig Foster, co-founder of the Sea Change Project On what at a minimum, we can do to re-connect ourselves with the rest of nature: "It starts with challenging ourselves to reconnect with the wild. So much of our modern world seems designed to tame us: to dull our minds, to separate us from the natural world, to convince us that what will help us survive is more consumption. Like my octopus friends, we fill our houses with shiny new things. But our piles of stuff are much bigger and the cost of acquisition much greater. We can break free of this tame conditioning. When we dedicate even just a few minutes per day to observing wild creatures on their own terms, in their own homes, regardless of where we live, we connect with the concept of biodiversity not simply on an intellectual level but also on an emotional level. We see the world differently — and ourselves, too."

With five jaws, five arms, and the ability to release their limbs to evade predators, brittle stars are remarkable creatures. More than 2000 known species of these ophiuroids live on coral reefs and at depths more than 3.5 miles below the ocean’s surface. According to Ocean Conservancy, these animals are “seafloor ecosystem engineers,” helping to move sediment as they twist and coil along the seafloor, redistributing other animals and playing an essential role in the food web. They are often spotted hanging out with deep-sea corals like this. The corals offer excellent perches for snacking on smaller animals and filter-feeding organisms floating in the water. This cozy duo was spotted during the #SalasyGomezRidge while scientists were documenting biodiversity along underwater mountains off the coast of Chile. The ridge is a biologically rich region under consideration for a designation as a highly-seas marine protected area. The research team, led by Drs. Erin E. Easton of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and Javier Sellanes of the Universidad Católica del Norte closely examined ten seamounts and two islands on the 2900-kilometer-long oceanic mountain range. They determined that the individual seamounts harbor distinct ecosystems like glass sponge gardens and deep coral reefs. #deepseacreatures #marineprotectedareas #highseastreaty #oceanworld #seamounts #rovsubastian #rvfalkortoo

🐟Discover the Fascinating Pufferfish with Palm Beach Divers!🐟 Meet the captivating pufferfish, a remarkable creature found in tropical waters! Known for their unique ability to inflate when threatened, these fish are not only intriguing but also play a vital role in marine ecosystems. 🤔Fun Facts About Pufferfish: ➡️ Defence Mechanism: When feeling threatened, pufferfish can puff up to several times their normal size, making it harder for predators to swallow them! ➡️ Toxic Beauty: Some species of pufferfish contain tetrodotoxin, a potent toxin that makes them dangerous to eat. This serves as a protective mechanism against predators. ➡️ Unique Anatomy: Pufferfish have a beak-like mouth that allows them to crush hard-shelled prey like shellfish and crustaceans, showcasing their impressive adaptation to their environment. ➡️ Habitat: Typically found in warm coastal waters and coral reefs, pufferfish are often spotted during dives, adding to the diversity of marine life. ➡️ Social Creatures: While often seen alone, pufferfish can also be found in small groups, exhibiting interesting social behaviors. At Palm Beach Divers, we encourage everyone to appreciate the beauty and importance of the pufferfish and other marine life. When you dive, remember to respect their habitats and observe from a distance to ensure these fascinating creatures thrive in our oceans. Join us on our next dive adventure and discover the wonders of the underwater world! 🌊🐡 #PalmBeachDivers #Pufferfish #MarineLife #ScubaDiving #OceanEducation #ExploreTheCoralReefs

Discovering the Twostripe Goby Fish Introduction Explore the world of the Twostripe Goby Fish (Valenciennea helsdingenii), a captivating member of the goby fish family. This species stands out in marine aquariums and natural coral reefs. Habitat Found in the Indo-Pacific's shallow coral reefs, the Twostripe Goby thrives in sandy environments. Its ability to burrow makes it an integral part of the reef ecosystem. Characteristics and Behavior With distinctive body stripes, the Twostripe Goby is not only visually appealing but also skilled in camouflage. It forms symbiotic relationships with shrimp, showcasing unique interspecies cooperation. Aquarium Care A peaceful addition to marine tanks, the Twostripe Goby requires a sandy substrate and stable tank conditions. Their presence helps maintain a balanced ecosystem in the aquarium. Conclusion The Twostripe Goby Fish is a remarkable species, contributing to reef health and offering a glimpse into the complex underwater world. Available at https://lnkd.in/e6DFrYRC #GobyFish #TwostripeGoby #MarineAquariums #CoralReefs #AquariumCare #EcosystemBalance #UnderwaterLife #ReefConservation

April is global citizen science month! 🥳Shark Trust is looking for data on oceanic whitetip and basking sharks. So if you are snorkelling and happen to come across any of these two species, here is what to do: Report your sighting on the Shark Trust website.😎 You can also get involved in the Great Eggcase Hunt by reporting any shark or ray egg cases that you pick up on the beach of even while diving (do not pick up the ones you find underwater because they might still have a baby inside!). 👶🦈 All of this information gets uploaded to a database that can be used to implement better conservation measures for these species! Get involved!🤩 #sharkscience #sharkconservation #citizenscience #sharktrust #whitesharkprojects