Kemberly Jane P. Gican

DOLPHIN

Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in seventeen genera. They vary in size from 1.2 m (4 ft) and 40 kg (90 lb) (Maui's Dolphin), up to 9.5 m (30 ft) and 10 tonnes (9.8 LT; 11 ST) (the Orca or Killer Whale). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid. The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacean order, and relatively recent: dolphins evolved about ten million years ago, during the Miocene. Dolphins are among the most intelligent animals and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them popular in human culture.




It was very nice to see these marine mammals. They are said to be friendly and saved the lives of the people struggling in the ocean.

DeadLiest Sea Creatures!

Scorpion Fish

These fish have poisonous spines on their head, and other areas including 11-17 on their dorsel fin. The pectoral fins have 11-25 rays on them. They paralyze other fish in order to capture and eat them. Their sting can cause paralysis, fainting, seizures and other symptoms to humans

Shark

The Shark is a well known danger of the sea, it is common knowledge to steer well clear of Sharks. There are 360 different species of sharks, but only three types have caused serious harm to humans. These are The Great White, Bull sharks, and Tiger shark. Being the powerful predators that they are sharks have, and will continue to attack, and sometimes cause death to humans.



Yellow Bellied Sea Snake

These snakes are found all over the Pacific coast. They are found in all oceans with the exception of the Atlantic ocean. A small amount of this snakes venom is very potent, and can kill a human. The Yellow Bellied snake forages for food in the daytime, and is close to the bottom at night. But so far , no deaths to human recorded. So watch out!

Stingray


Stingrays are common in tropical waters all over the world. The stinger is located in the tail of this sea creature. The stinger is very sharp, or barbed, it has two grooves underneath the tail that contain venomous glands. The skin of the tail is also has venom concentrated throughout. When Stingrays are threatened the whip up their tail in order to protect themselves. They can poison humans, sever arteries, or even kill a person. If the person stung survives then an operation is needed to remove the barbs embedded in the skin.

Box jellyfish

These cubed shaped Jellyfish are found in Australian and Philippines waters, and also in other tropical areas. Their venom is the most deadly in all the animal kingdom.
It has 24 eyes on each side of its box shaped body. You have little chance of surviving a sting from these creatures. Stay away from the water where they are most likely to occur. The season when box jellyfish are around is October through to April in Northern Australian waters.

Posted by: MicheLLe Ann MacaLam. .

Sea Turtle's Way of Life

Sea turtles are almost always submerged in water, and, therefore, have developed an anaerobic system of respiration. Although all sea turtles breathe air, under dire circumstances they may divert to anaerobic respiration for long periods of time. When surfacing to breathe, a sea turtle can quickly refill its lungs with a single explosive exhalation and rapid inhalation. Their large lungs have adapted to permit rapid exchange of oxygen and to avoid trapping gases during deep dives. However, turtles must emerge while breeding, given the extra level of activity.
The lifespan of sea turtles has been speculated at 80 years.It takes decades for sea turtles to reach sexual maturity. After mating at sea, adult female sea turtles return to land to nest at night. Different species of sea turtles exhibit various levels of philopatry. In the extreme case, females return to the beach where they hatched. This can take place every two to four years in maturity. They make from one to eight nests per season.

Marine turtles are caught worldwide, although it is illegal to hunt most species in many countries.A great deal of intentional marine turtle harvests worldwide are for food.
Many parts of the world have long considered sea turtles to be fine dining. Ancient Chinese texts dating to the fifth century B.C. describe sea turtles as exotic delicacies.Many coastal communities around the world depend on sea turtles as a source of protein, often harvesting several turtles at once and keeping them alive on their backs until needed. Coastal peoples gather turtle eggs for consumption.The Moche people of ancient Peru worshipped the sea and its animals. They often depicted sea turtles in their art.
Sea turtles enjoy immunity from the sting of the deadly box jellyfish and regularly eat them, helping keep tropical beaches safe for humans.

Medusa Acabo

Water Pollution and its causes

Comprising over 70% of the Earth’s surface, water is undoubtedly the most precious natural resource that exists on our planet. Without the seemingly invaluable compound comprised of hydrogen and oxygen, life on Earth would be non-existent: it is essential for everything on our planet to grow and prosper. Although we as humans recognize this fact, we disregard it by polluting our rivers, lakes, and oceans. Subsequently, we are slowly but surely harming our planet to the point where organisms are dying at a very alarming rate. In addition to innocent organisms dying off, our drinking water has become greatly affected as is our ability to use water for recreational purposes. In order to combat water pollution, we must understand the problems and become part of the solution.

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A century ago the Pasig River in the Philippines was a place of beauty. The water was clean and teeming with life. It provided food and an income to Manila’s fishermen and was the transportation artery of the capital. Today the river is a place to avoid. The river's banks are covered with squatters’ huts. The water is pitch black and choked with rubbish. The Philippine Government has passed a Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, but there is no budget available to implement either. Peter Coppen reports from Manila

Many causes of pollution including sewage and fertilizers contain nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. In excess levels, nutrients over stimulate the growth of aquatic plants and algae. Excessive growth of these types of organisms consequently clogs our waterways, use up dissolved oxygen as they decompose, and block light to deeper waters. This, in turn, proves very harmful to aquatic organisms as it affects the respiration ability or fish and other invertebrates that reside in water.

posted by:

Medusa Acabo

Do sharks have scales?

Sharks don't have scales but they have something different instead - Dermal Denticles, literally "skin teeth" rows and rows of tiny teeth made out of dentine, the same stuff as teeth!
The dermal denticles are embedded in the skin and face backwards and are all aligned (this is why sharks feel smooth when you stroke them from head to tail but rough when you stroke them backwards. Many aquariums have petting tanks where you can pet small harmless sharks e.g.nurse sharks, dogfish etc). They often also have the same shape as the teeth of the shark (though not all).

The denticles do several things :
- Protect the shark
- Help it swim through the water more easily

The dermal denticles help reduce the friction between the shark and the water (they help it slip through the water more easily).

posted by:

Medusa R. Acabo

World's Smallest Fish

-----Paedocypris progenetica-------

The world's smallest vertebrate or backboned animal in the world. This species of fish belongs to the carp family.This was discovered in the Indonesian island of Sumatra. It is only 7.9mm long. It has the appearance of larvae and have a reduce fish skeleton which leaves the brain unprotected by bone.
They live in dark tea-colored waters with an acidity of pH3, which is at least 100 times more acidic than rainwater.