However, Lionfish can have negative effects on the overall reef habitat as they can eliminate organisms which serve important ecological roles such as herbivorous fish which keep algae in-check on the reefs. Lionfish usually prefer living in still waters protected from any current, in quieter and darker parts of the reef; they are also known to exist in bays, estuaries and harbors. A female lionfish will release between 4,000 and 30,000 eggs during mating to be fertilized by the male’s sperm. This invasive species is growing and spreading rapidly through the Americas. It is uncertain how the lionfish arrived.
“Beaked whales live in all the oceans”(Wursig 258), but some of the beaked whales “species live in the deep waters” (Wursig 258). Beaked whales nourishmostly on several squids and certain fishes(Brownell 682a). Very little is known about this group of whales for they are hardly detected and hard to find at sea (Brownell 682a). The last type of tooth whale is the Belugas. “Belugas are white or yellow-tan when their fully grown and are often called
The Great White has only one natural predator, the orca. There is very little known about the population status of this shark, however it is uncommon compared to other species. The IUCN has given it a label of being vulnerable, but not yet an endangered species. Fisherman go for sharks to collect their teeth and fins. There is a 250,000 dollar fine for anyone who is caught fishing for a Great White.
With over 1m wild alligators in Florida versus a human population of 17m humans, there’s lots of opportunity for conflict. The beasts can grow to 12ft and their lethargic appearance has misled many a startled holidaymaker, within a flash they can snap their jaws and even run up to 30m.p.h. There are actually Gator Hunters operating in Florida to deal with the problematic reptiles. Obviously the animals know no boundaries but they do not seek human attacks and they usually try to avoid us, however sometimes things go wrong. Pestering, tormenting and throwing food to gators is usually the root cause.
An example of one is the Caribbean rock iguana which is the largest land lizard and native of Mona island. Lastly the most beloved animal of Puerto Rico is a tiny frog that goes by the name Coqui. Coquis are about 1 inch long, live in trees, and sing with a sweet tone. Surprisingly there are almost no large mammals in Puerto
“Sphyrna mokarran,” The Great Hammerhead Sharks are arguably the most misinterpreted species on the planet. Little do most people know, sharks are actually quite docile creatures. They are also a very interesting species, with over 500 different types of them. The species in particular being covered here is known as the Sphyrna mokarran, or the great hammerhead shark. It is, among hammerheads, the largest type.
CORAL REEF – WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE CORAL REEF BIOME? Coral reefs are found internationally in warm waters. Types of Corals: There are two types of coral, hard coral and soft coral. Hard corals (similar brain coral and elkhorn coral) have hard, limestone skeletons, which form the basis of coral reefs. Soft corals (like sea fingers and sea whips) do not build reefs.
Geo 202 Ichthyosaurs Ichthyosaurs, the Greek word for fish lizard, were a marine animal far from what its name implies. They played the role of what whales, seals, and dolphins play in today’s marine ecosystem. From fossil records, geologists can tell a lot about the life ichthyosaurs lived throughout the years it roamed the seas, including their body structure, how they reproduced, what they ate, where they lived, and much more including their extinction. Based on fossil evidence, the ichthyosaur first appeared around 245 million years ago. Although earlier forms had a sleek, lizard like body, most had a body structure that most resembled modern day mammals (Perkins).
The ring tailed lemur is able to stand on its two feel however, not for long. Walking is not quite an option for the lemur because of how the pelvis is set up. A walking lemur is close in resemblance to a walking dog. They have spure like digits (PIN) and even though they can climb, there are the most terrestrial of all lemuroids. My favorite part about them is how they sunbath in a pose as if they were worshiping something.
Horseshoe crabs are marine living fossils, probably traced back to 485 million years ago. There are two horseshoe crab species found in Hong Kong. Horseshoe crabs are an ancient marine chelicerates, identified as the Class Merostomata and Order Xiphosura. The animals are identified by the having appendages around their middle of the mouth and their swimming legs at their end of their body. They are in close linkage with trilobites and arachnids which are spiders and scorpions.