oceans

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 65

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 65

We’re off to some of the most famous islands on planet earth; where Charles Darwin himself discovered and honed his theory of evolution! Today’s reptile isn’t what most would call pretty, but man are they cool! So let’s head out to meet…

MEET THE MARINE IGUANA!

Range/Habitat: Galapagos Islands, coast-oceans

Diet: herbivore: algae, seaweed

Length/Weight: 4-5 ft/ 1-3.3 lbs

Conservation Status: vulnerable

Fun Facts:

Marine Iguanas colors vary by the island they live on.
They have large flat tails to help them swim along the rocky coasts.
Marine Iguanas have razor sharp teeth to eat seaweed and algae.
Marine iguanas sneeze to get rid of excess salt.
They sun themselves on lava rocks after being the cold ocean waters.

Marine Iguanas may be one of our most favorite animal of all times! They are so prehistoric looking and wonderful! Plus what could be cooler than having the ability to sneeze salt?

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, oceans, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, oceans, reptiles, science, wildlife | 1 Comment

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 64

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WENESDAY # 64

We’re taking the E & E sub out to the coral reefs of Indonesia today! Anyone notice a theme this week? Apparently our travel budget is getting smaller and we have to stay in one area! J We’re on the lookout for a small, funny looking fish on this adventure so keep your eyes peeled!

MEET THE BOXFISH!

Range/Habitat: Pacific-Indian Oceans/ coral reefs

Diet: Carnivore: invertebrates

Length/Weight: up to 18”

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Boxfish have rigid outer skeletons.
Boxfish are squared in shape.
They are also called the long-horned cowfish.
They have two hornlike projections on top of their head.
Boxfish swim very awkwardly because of small fins.
Boxfish have large eyes on top of their eyes.

Ooooooo… Boxfish sure are funny looking. We wish they had only one horn so we could rename them the unicorn fish. Hahahahaha!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | 2 Comments

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 63

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WENESDAY # 63

We’re taking the E & E sub out to meet a large round fish! As always our little sub has plenty of room for everyone so let’s head out on today’s adventure!

MEET THE OPAH!

Range/Habitat: Tropical-temperate oceans worldwide

Diet: Carnivore: small fish, squid

Length/Weight: up to 6 ft/ up to 110 lbs

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Opahs are also known as moonfish.
Opahs have bright red fins.
They have oval shaped bodies.
Opahs do not use their tail fins to swim, but instead use their pectoral (top) fin.
They are toothless.

Opahs are really neat looking fish and wow, are they big! It is so cool that they use that top fin to swim too!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, fish, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | 2 Comments

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 61

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 61

Read the clues, Guess the Animal and Share your Answer!

I live near Antartica.
I live in a colony.
I have a large nose and it gives me my name!

Who Am I?

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, oceans, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | 4 Comments

INTERNATIONAL POLAR BEAR DAY!

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

INTERNATIONAL POLAR BEAR DAY!

We’re celebrating one of favorite marine mammals on this very special day! These majestic bears call the icy arctic their home. We’re going to share some photos and fun facts about polar bears, as well as some great resources to help these bears as their snowy home disappears.

Polar Bears are excellent swimmers, they have been miles off shore.
They have a thick layer of fur, including on the bottoms of their paws.
Polar bears are carnivores.
Polar bears have black skin that helps them soaks up the warmth of the sun.
Polar bear mothers build a den to have their cubs.
Polar bear cubs stay with their mothers for up to two years.
Polar bears have no natural predators.
Polar bears are the largest land predator on earth.
Adult male polar bears can weigh up to 1,200 pounds.
Polar bears are protected in Norway, Canada, Russia, Denmark and the U.S.

Polar bears are endangered, mainly from habitat loss, as the arctic ice is melting. We can help these fabulous bears! You can adopt a bear (they won’t live at your house), you can donate to organizations that work with polar bears or you can learn what you can do at home to help. Check out Polar Bears International and One World One Ocean.

We love polar bears and we’ll definitely be working to make sure they are around for long time to come!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL POLAR BEAR DAY!

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, mammals, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, mammals, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | 2 Comments

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 60

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 60

Are you ready to guess the animal?

I have a pouch for a bill.
I live in the Western Hemisphere from Canada to South America.
I catch fish by diving in the water.

WHO AM I?

Categories: adventure, Animals, birds, Children, conservation, nature, oceans, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, birds, children, conservation, education, environment, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | 3 Comments

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 60

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 60

Let’s hop in the E & E sub and head off to find a fish who is bright red! These funny fish have funny looking faces too! Are you ready for today’s adventure?

MEET THE RED MULLET!

Range/Habitat: Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean & Black Sea/ ocean

Diet: Carnivore: mollusks, fish, worms

Length/Weight: up to 16”/up to 2 ¼ lb

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Red mullet have forked tails.
They have two barbels on their chin.
They can move the two barbells independently of each other. They use to them to find prey.
Red mullets are also called goatfish.
They have a downward pointing mouth.

Red mullet are funny looking fish with their barbels. We love that some fish come with their own built in fish poles!

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 59

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 59

We’re getting our snorkeling gear out and heading the coral reefs of the Pacific Ocean today! We’re off to find a fish who lives with another animal who stings! Are you ready? Let’s do this!

MEET THE PINK SKUNK CLOWNFISH!

Range/Habitat: Pacific Ocean/ coral reefs

Diet: Omnivore: plankton, algae

Length: 4”

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Pink Skunk Clownfish are also known as the pink skunk anemonefish.
They have a symbiotic relationship with anemone and live among their tentacles.
Pink skunk clownfish have a long white stripe down their backs.
Pink skunk clownfish have a mucus coating that protects them to the toxins of the anemone.
They lay their eggs near their anemone hosts.

We bet you didn’t know there other species of clownfish out there! They aren’t all just orange and white! Animals that have mutual symbiotic relationships are so neat! Can you think of any other kinds of symbiotic relationships in the animal world?

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 58

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WENESDAY # 58

We’re going snorkeling to find a different kind of ocean dweller today. It’s not a fish, it’s not a mammal and it’s not coral! So are you ready to meet this mysterious animal? Let’s do this!

MEET THE VIOLET SEA SNAIL!

Range/Habitat: Atlantic-Pacific-Indian Oceans/ tropical-subtropical

waters

Diet: Carnivore: floating cnidarians

Length: 3 ¼”

Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

Violet Sea Snails live on the oceans’ surface.
They are blind.
Violet sea snails have bright purple shells.
Their shells are very thin.
Violet sea snails make a “raft” of bubbles and mucus to stay afloat at the surface.
They snail is dark violet or black in color.

We haven’t met a snail so far in our adventures. Who knew they were so brightly colored and amazing? What other crazy creatures have we missed in our oceans?

Categories: adventure, Animals, Children, conservation, education, Environment, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: adventure, animals, children, conservation, education, environment, oceans, science, wildlife | 4 Comments

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!

HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY!!!

We’re celebrating that awesome island nation that is full of amazing animals with some fun pictures!

Australia is home to deadly snakes, wild reptiles, adorable mammals and it has the largest number of marsupials on the planet! It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the ocean! Wow! Australia is definitely one wild place!

Enjoy!