When most people imagine whales, they picture enormous creatures with smooth, shiny skin moving silently through the ocean. Unlike seals or sea otters, whales do not appear to have fur, which raises an interesting question: do whales actually have hair? The surprising answer is yes — but only in very small amounts, and the story is more complicated than it seems. Whales, … [Read more...] about Do Whales Have Hair? The Surprising Truth About These Giant Ocean Mammals
Ocean life
Female Octopuses Throw Things at Male Harassers
Female Octopus have been observed throwing objects at males in what scientists describe as a targeted response to unwanted attention. Researchers studying octopuses off the coast of Jervis Bay recorded multiple instances of individuals gathering materials such as shells and silt before propelling them through the water using a jet from their siphon. The behaviour, … [Read more...] about Female Octopuses Throw Things at Male Harassers
If Humans Die Out, Octopuses Already Have the Chops to Build the Next Civilization, Scientist Claims
Earth is no stranger to extinctions. As scientists have discerned from fossil records, species on Earth have already passed through five mass extinction events in the planet’s lifetime, including the last mass extinction roughly 65 million years ago that wiped out the dinosaurs. Now, scientists believe we might be in the midst of another. Humans’ impact on biodiversity—via … [Read more...] about If Humans Die Out, Octopuses Already Have the Chops to Build the Next Civilization, Scientist Claims
Marine Biologist Shows What A Baby Swordfish Looks Like
Marine biologist Juan C. Levesque recently captured an awe-inspiring moment—a microscopic baby swordfish perched delicately on his fingertip. Nicknamed the “Gladiator of the Sea,” this diminutive creature is no larger than a few millimeters at birth, but its potential is staggering. As adults, swordfish can reach an impressive length of 3 meters, making them one of the ocean’s … [Read more...] about Marine Biologist Shows What A Baby Swordfish Looks Like