Posts Tagged With: fish

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 39

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 39

We’re going diving in the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific Oceans today! We’re looking for a shy, unusual and beautiful fish! Make sure your diving goggles are extra clean and you have a flashlight, because these fish like to hide out! Let’s do this!

MEET THE ZEBRA MORAY!

   Range/Habitat: Pacific- Indian Oceans & Gulf of California/ coral reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: crabs, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: up to 35”/ 22lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Zebra Morays are eels.
  • They have no scales or fins.
  • Zebra morays have black and white, long muscular bodies.
  • Zebra morays ooze a slime that protects their skin since they don’t have any scales.
  • They lurk in cliffs, rocks and coral; often with only their head sticking out.
  • Zebra morays are ambush predators.
  • They have blunt teeth for crushing prey!
  • Zebra morays are very territorial.

These amazing eels sure are pretty! We’re not sure we’d want to touch one though, eeeww slimy! Would you be scared if you saw one of these lurking in your neighborhood reef? We sure wouldn’t!

     

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 38

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 38

It’s Watery Wednesday again we’re off to the Northern Pacific ocean to meet a special and very toxic fish! We’ll stay in our sub to check this fish out! We have plenty of room, so who’s coming?

MEET THE FUGU!

   Range/Habitat: Western North Pacific/ ocean, reefs

   Diet: Carnivore: fish

   Length: up to 6”

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Fugu means “river pig” in Japanese.
  • They are also known as blowfish.
  • Fugus are highly toxic and release their toxins in the water to deter predators. If that doesn’t work, they inflate themselves!
  • They have beak like mouths with strong teeth and jaws.
  • Their toxin is strong enough to kill 30 adult humans.
  • Fugus breed around the full and new moons in spring time. They actually spawn on the beach during high tide!

 

We’ll keep our distance from this fish! People do eat them in Japan and it can be very dangerous! We think we’ll leave these amazing fish swimming in the ocean!

 

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 38

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 38

Whew, it’s hot here in this desert! We hope someone brought some mud for sunscreen! We’re here to find a marvelous lizard who can blow himself up! No, no, the lizard doesn’t actually explode, instead they inflate! Are you ready to meet this new friend?

MEET THE CHUCKWALLA!

   Range/Habitat: Southwestern United States-Northern Mexico/desert

   Diet: Herbivore: fruit, leaves, flowers, succulents

   Length: 11-16 ½”

  Conservation Status: common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Chuckwallas are large, wide and flat bellied lizards.
  • Their name comes from a Native American word!
  • Chuckwallas like hot conditions. They are often seen basking in the sun during the day!
  • When threatened chuckwallas jam themselves in crevices and inflate their lungs and flaps of skin, so that is impossible for a predator to get them out!
  • They have thick long tails.
  • Male chuckwallas are larger and often have black heads.
  • They have a life span of up to 25 years.

 

Wow, they lizards are not only cool, but they have a cool name! Try saying Chuckwalla three times fast! Chuckwalla, chuckwalla, chuckwalla… We got tongue tied just typing it :)!

       

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, lizards, nature, reptiles, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

DADS WEEK # 3

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

DAD’S WEEK DAY #3!

We’re going snorkeling today to meet one amazing dad! These funny looking fish are related to Edmond. Ok, they’re not really related to him, but they are the horses of the sea! Hehe! Do you have your goggles, wetsuit and snorkel? Let’s take a dip!

MEET THE COMMON SEAHORSE!

Range/Habitat: Indo-Pacific Oceans/ shallow coasts, coral reefs

Diet: Carnivore: plankton (tiny animals)

Length: up to 6 ½”

Conservation Status: vulnerable

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Common Seahorses have bony plates covering their bodies.
  • They swim upright and are propelled by a small dorsal (on back) fin.
  • Common seahorses have prehensile tails that they use to anchor themselves to coral.
  • Female common seahorses place their eggs in a pouch that is on the front of a male seahorse.
  • Male common seahorses carry the eggs for about 4-5 wks.
  • They give “birth” when the seahorses hatch!

Wow! How cool are seahorse dads? They come with their own built in pouch for incubating eggs! And you thought that they were just cute- in a funny kind of way!

 

 

 

 

Categories: Animals, Children, dads, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

WORLD OCEANS DAY!!

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

HAPPY WORLD’S OCEANS DAY!!

We’re celebrating the world’s oceans and their inhabitants today! The oceans of the world are magnificent in many ways! We land dwelling creatures have a hard time wrapping our heads around the oceans’ size and depth! Today we’re going to celebrate this watery habitat by sharing some fun facts and photos! We’ll also be sharing ways for you to help keep our oceans clean and healthy! And please share with us what you love about the ocean and its animals!

  • It’s estimated that 50-80% of life on earth live in the ocean.
  • The oceans have 99% of living space on the planet!
  • Humans have only explored 5-10% of the world’s oceans.
  • The oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface!
  • The deepest point in the ocean is the Marianas Trench in the Pacific Ocean!
  • The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on earth!
  • The oceans absorb CO2 to help keep our air clean.
  • The ocean absorbs heat from the atmosphere and distributes that warmth around the planet!

Wow! The ocean is sooo large and strange! Can you believe humans have only explored 10% of them? We have so much to learn! Let’s check out some photos of the some of the wild and wonderful creatures that call the ocean their home!

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is vital that we keep the world’s oceans clean and healthy not just for the animals that call it home, but for the land dwelling animals too! Want to know some easy ways to help? Well, we have those for you right here!

  • Pick up your trash! Trash can float into the ocean and it is often mistaken for food by many animals!
  • Pick up your pet’s waste. Poop is not good for anyone J!
  • Participate in a local beach or river clean-up! Remember that all rivers eventually make their ways to the oceans and so can the trash in them.
  • Use cloth or reusable bags when shopping. Plastic bags are a big killer of ocean life. Sea turtles especially mistake them for their favorite food- jellies.
  •  Eat Sustainable Seafood. We are eating many species in to extinction. Check out Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program! They even have a smart phone app that helps you pick out the best seafood to eat!
  • When you fish, make sure you throw away extra line and hooks. The hooks can become embedded in all kinds of creatures and the line can be swallowed or wrap around an animal.
  • Cut up your soda six pack rings.
  • RECYCLE!
  • Join an organization that works to protect the world’s oceans, like the Ocean Conservancy!
  • Visit your local aquarium and learn about some amazing animals! Also learn what your aquarium is doing for conservation! 
Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, mammals, nature, oceans, octopus, penguins, science, turtles, wildlife, Worlds Oceans Day | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 37

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 37

We’re hoping in the Ellie and Edmond submarine today to meet one of the oceans powerful predators! We have room for you, so jump in and let’s see where this trip will take us!

MEET THE CREVALLE JACK!

   Range/Habitat: Eastern Atlantic Ocean/ deep sea and coast lines

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, mollusks, crabs

   Length/Weight: up to 4 ft/ up to 70 lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Crevalle jacks have large blunt heads and a black spot on their gill covering.
  • They are the largest of all jacks.
  • They have deep forked tails.
  • Crevalle jacks often cruise in schools or pairs.
  • They are powerful and fast predators.
  • Juvenile Crevalle jacks are often found in brackish (part fresh-part salt water) habitats.

 

These great fish sure are fantastic! They are just another important part of the vast ecosystem of the world’s oceans! We always have to remember that each creature great and small has its place!

 

 

 

 

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, space, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 36

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 36

We are off to Africa today to meet a small but extraordinary fish! These little fish have been on the planet for a very long time! Let’s gear up and head out to meet these little animals!

MEET THE ORNATE BICHIR!

   Range/Habitat: Western-Central Africa/ lakes, rivers

   Diet: Carnivore: fish, crustaceans

   Length/Weight: up to 16”/ up to 18 oz

   Conservation Status: Common

Fun Facts:

  • Ornate bichirs are considered to be the most beautiful member of the bichir fish family.
  • They are beige with black markings.
  • Ornate bichirs are small and oblong.
  • They have armor like scales.
  • Ornate bichirs stalk and ambush their prey.
  • They can stay out of water and breathe regular air for short periods of time.

What? There’s a fish that can breathe air? That is some crazy stuff! We can tell you that this small elephant and horse cannot breathe under water, although Ellie can stick her trunk out of the water :)!

 

 

Categories: africa, Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, rivers, science, Uncategorized, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SUPER SURPRISE THURSDAY # 35

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

SUPER SURPRISE  THURSDAY# 35

It’s Super Surprise Thursday and we’re celebrating another watery animal friend. Today we are jetting off to the waters of Pacific and Indonesian oceans to meet a very beautiful and helpful fish! It’s time everyone learned how sand is really made J! Let’s go!

MEET THE BICOLOR PARROTFISH!

   Range/Habitat: Indian-Pacific Oceans/ coral reefs

   Diet: Herbivore: algae

   Length: up to 32”

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Bicolor parrotfish have fused molar teeth that resemble a parrot’s beak.
  • Bicolor parrotfish are brightly colored.
  • Their beak like mouths and coloration gave them the name parrotfish!
  • Juvenile bicolor parrotfish are white with orange on their head.
  • They eat algae off the coral.
  • When bicolor parrotfish chew up the coral and algae, they crush the coral. The coral that is not digested is then pooped out in sand form.
  • One large bicolor parrotfish can produce up to 2,200 lbs of a sand year.

Well, who knew that the beautiful white sand beaches of the Pacific were really fish poop? Hehe! There are other species of parrotfish in the Caribbean too, so you cannot escape the fish poop! Actually these fish are amazing and they do help build the ocean floor and the beaches that animals rely on for habitats and that humans love to relax on!

  

 

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 34

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 34

Who’s ready to take a dive in our submarine? We’re taking it down to the sandy bottoms of the Mediterranean and North Atlantic oceans to see a secretive and nocturnal animal! Thank goodness our sub has lights!

MEET THE CONGER EEL!

   Range/Habitat: North Atlantic-Mediterranean/ rocky-sandy bottoms

   Diet: Carnivore: crustaceans, fish, cephalopods

   Length/Weight: up to 8 ½ ft/ up to 145 lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Conger eels are dark grey with long finless bodies.
  • Conger eels do not have scales.
  • They are nocturnal (active at night).
  • They often hide in crevices and caves during the day.
  • Conger eels are ambush predators.

Wow! We hope you were watching because the conger eel is fast! We wouldn’t want to be a fish swimming by these eels cave when they get hungry! Chomp!

 

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, oceans, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

WATERY WEDNESDAY # 33

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Ellie and Edmond ©

WATERY WEDNESDAY# 33

We’re staying in the ocean from our trip yesterday and we’re going to find a fish! Specifically we want to find a cartilaginous fish (their skeleton is made of cartilage)! Be careful where you step because these sharks like to bury themselves in the sand!

MEET THE ANGEL SHARK!

   Range/Habitat: Western North Atlantic/ ocean

   Diet: Carnivore: crustaceans, fish

   Length/Weight: up to 5 ft/ up to 60 lbs

   Conservation Status: Common

 

 

Fun Facts:

  • Angel sharks have flat bodies and wide heads.
  • They have wing like pectoral fins.
  • Their eyes are on top of their head and their gill slits are on the bottom.
  • Angel sharks bury themselves in the sand.
  • Angel sharks are also called the Sand Devil.
  • Angel sharks are ambush predators.
  • They have powerful jaws and teeth.

Angel sharks are beautiful fish! There are several different species and they each have different patterns that help them camouflage into the sandy bottom. Luckily these sharks are protected in the waters off the United Kingdom!

 

 

 

 

Categories: Animals, Children, education, Environment, fish, nature, science, wildlife | Tags: , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

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