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Showing posts with the label manta rays

Marine Creature of the Month Overview

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April  Green Sea Turtle Photo from NatGeo Kids Their nesting sites can be found on beaches in 80 countries. They migrate across long distances between feeding and nesting grounds. Babies break out of their eggs using an "egg tooth". May Nudibranch Anyone else think this looks like an Oreo? Photo from NatGeo Kids Nudibranchs get their fabulous colouring from the food they eat. They have a foot and slimy tail. Some nudibranchs eat algae and use the energy they produce from photosynthesis.   June Manta Ray Photo from Oceana   Manta Rays have the biggest brains of any fish. They can be identified by the spots on their bodies - each one has a unique pattern. They have 300 teeth, but only filter feed.  July Anglerfish Photo from Gizmodo Their heads are disproportionately bigger than their body - gotta fit them teeth in somehow! There are roughly 200 species of anglerfish, mostly found at deep depths. Though ...

Marine Creature of the Month JUNE

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I was hoping to have the next Sharks at 7 & 3/4 s filmed and edited by now, but the boy ran off half way through filming and then told me he doesn't want to do it because it was too stressful! So that is still in the works right now. Instead, have a #MCotM! Manta Ray via GIPHY Kingdom: Animalia Class: Chordata Conservation Status: Vunerable (VU) Found: International waters Diet: Zooplankton Weight: Up to 1,350kg (2,980lbs) Size: From 5.5m (18ft) to 7m (23ft) Habitat: Temperate, subtropical and tropical waters; pelagic waters. Manta rays, known online as majestic flap flaps (!), are huge and beautiful creatures. Just look at it flap along - look at it! Fangirling aside, they are incredible. There are two species of manta ray: M. birostris (the larger of the two) and M. alfredi (named after Prince Alfred). They are both very similar in appearance, with a few key differences. As already mentioned, M. birostris are larger, but they are also darker...