Archive for the MARINELIFE Category

"Homarus americanus" The Atlantic Lobster's other 4 pairs of legs are used to crawl, rather than swim. Underneath the abdomen are 6 pairs of swimmerets (also called pleopods) and have asymmetrical claws formed from the first of 5 pairs of legs, with the larger one used for crushing andRead more →

"Eunectes notaeus" Anacondas are the largest & heaviest known snake on our planet judging by weight, though the Asiatic Reticulated Python is longer. Anacondas can grow up to 29 feet (9 meters) long, weigh up to 550 pounds (250 kilograms) and measure 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter. ThisRead more →

"Gecarcoidea natalis" About 120 million Red Crabs live on Christmas Island and undertake one of the most spectacular migrations of the animal world. When the rains come, they leave their forest habitat and descend en masse to the sea to lay their eggs. About a month laterRead more →

"Alligator mississippiensis" The average size for an adult female American Alligator is 8.2 feet and the average size for a male is 11.2 feet. Exceptionally large males can reach a weight of 1,000 pounds. The word “Alligator” comes from the early Spanish name “El Lagarto” meaning “theRead more →

"Trichechus manatus" The Manatee has a large, seal-like body that tapers to a powerful flat tail. The actual name of the Manatee is listed as the West Indian Manatee. The name Manatee itself comes from the Haitian word "manati" meaning "breast". With 2 agile forelimbs with 3 toRead more →

"Crocodylus porosus" Saltwater Crocodiles are the largest living reptiles. Adult males can reach 6-7 meters and weigh between 1,000-1,200 kilograms. Females are much smaller and do not generally exceed 3 meters. The Crocodile’s name comes from the ancient Greek word "krokodilos" meaning “worm of the pebbles". Why they thought this was aRead more →

"Physalia physalis" Right from the start, the proper scientific name for these animals is "Sea Jelly" not “Jellyfish”. They are invertebrates and not a fish nor do they have a backbone. The Portuguese Man-of-War Sea Jelly is a jelly-like marine animal and is also known as the "Blue Bottle" Sea JellyRead more →

"Enhydra lutris" Pacific Sea Otters are the largest member of the Family Mustelidae (70 species of otters, skunks, weasels, badgers) and are the smallest marine mammal in North America. Males weigh 22-45 kilograms and are 1.2-1.5 meters in length. Females are slightly smaller, weighing 14-33 kilograms and measuring 1-1.4 meters inRead more →

"Nautilus pompilius" The Chambered Nautilus reaches about 20 centimeters in length. The animal's name comes from early times when the person’s title who took care of navigating the boat was called Navtilos, which means Navigator. In roman Latin, the name Navtilos translates to Nautilus. The Chambered Nautilus can be found in tropical waters throughout theRead more →

"Aurelia aurita" Right from the start, the proper scientific name for these animals is "Sea Jelly" not “Jellyfish”. They are invertebrates and not a fish nor do they have a backbone. Moon Sea Jellies range between 5-40 centimeters in diameter. They can be recognized by their delicate and exquisite coloration, oftenRead more →