Archive for the MARINELIFE Category

"Amblyrhynchus cristatus" Marine Iguanas are the world's only sea-going lizards and are gray to black with pyramid-shaped dorsal (upper) scales. The word Iguana is derived from a Spanish form of the Taino name for the species iwana. In some Spanish speaking countries, males of the species are referred to as gorrobo or ministro and juveniles areRead more →

"Caretta caretta" The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is the largest hard-shelled turtle in the world and is the largest of all turtles. The Loggerhead is named for its exceptionally large head. Loggerhead Sea Turtles are found in coastal tropical & subtropical waters often extending to temperate waters in searchRead more →

"Dermochelys coriacea" Leatherback Sea Turtles are the largest of the sea turtles reaching up to 2.4 meters in length and weighing 227-907 kilograms. Their flippers span an average of 2.7 meters from the tip to tip. The "shell" of the Leatherback is actually its bones underneath its firm dark brown orRead more →

"Paralithodes camtschaticus" King Crabs are a species of large crab that appear dark red or burgundy in color. King Crabs can grow very large with carapace (the shell covering their back) lengths up to 11 inches and a 5 foot leg span. King Crabs have "tails" or abdomens that areRead more →

"Lepidochelys kempii" Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtles are a close relative of Olive Ridley Sea Turtles and are one of the smallest sea turtles. These turtles are called Kemp's Ridley because Richard Kemp of Key West, Florida was the first to send a specimen to Dr. Samuel GarmanRead more →

"Carukua barnesi” 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 Irukandji Sea Jelly inhabits northern Australian waters and are named after the Irukandji people whose country stretches along theRead more →

"Limulus polyphemus" Horseshoe Crabs were originally classified as a crab erroneously. They are actually a distant relative of crustaceans and are more closely related to arachnids such as spiders, scorpions and ticks. Although they look prehistoric and ancient relatives were present 520 million years ago as evidenced by fossils, thisRead more →

"Pagurus bernhardus" The Hermit Crab is a type of crab that doesn't have a very hard shell. Not a true crab, it uses other animals' old shells for protection; they especially like old Whelk shells. As the Hermit Crab grows in size, it must find a larger shell. The Hermit Crab is a crustacean. Most Hermit Crabs live onRead more →

"Eretmochelys imbricata" Hawksbill Sea Turtles are beautiful small to medium-sized sea turtles that take their species name from the overlapping plates on their upper shell. Hawksbills get their common name from the shape of its hooked jaw. They reach a length of about 0.62-1.14 meters. In the Caribbean, nesting females averageRead more →

"Euprymna scolopes" If you were swimming in the dark ocean, wouldn't it be nice to have a flashlight? The Hawaiian Bobtail Squid has one! The flashlight is built right into the squid’s body and is known as the "light organ". The Hawaiian Bobtail Squid usually about 2 inches long and is a cephalopodRead more →