Coral Reef Fact: The larva of the Sea Spider has a body that consists of only a head and its three pairs of cephalic appendages only: the chelifores, palps and ovigers. The abdomen and the thorax with its thoracic appendages develops later. Learn more
Coral Reef Fact: nursesharkvideo.jpg Nurse sharks are nocturnal animals, spending the day in large inactive groups of up to 40 individuals. Hidden under submerged ledges or in crevices within the reef, the nurse sharks seem to prefer specific resting sites and will return to them each day after the night’s hunting. Please support our work […]
Coral Reef Fact: When bearded fireworms (Hermodice carunculata) come to the surface to mate, the females start to emit a greenish phosphorescent glow. This attracts the males, which dart towards the females, emitting flashing lights at the same time. As the different sexes approach each other, the sex cells are shed and combine. For more […]
Coral Reef Fact: Short-finned pilot whales feed mostly on squid, but they may also feed on octopus and fish, all from a water depth of 1000 feet (305 m) or more. They are known as the ‘Cheetahs of the Deep’ for their high speed pursuits of squids at these depths. Learn more Support Reef Relief’s work to […]
Reef Fact: Scorpaenidae, scorpionfish, are a family of mostly marine fish (including the Red Lionfish) that includes many of the world’s most venomous species . Worldwide, scorpionfish rank second only to stingrays in total number of envenomations, with an estimated occurrence of approximately 40,000 – 50,000 cases annually. Support Reef Relief’s work to protect coral […]
Coral Reef Fact: If a male lionfish (Pterois volitans) meets another male while hunting, the more aggressive male will turn darker in color and point its poisonous, spiny dorsal fins at the other individual who usually folds down its pectoral fins and swims away. Learn more Please support Reef Relief’s work to protect coral reefs.
Coral Reef Fact: Some sea slugs (nudibranchs) that feed on corals & sea anemones ingest the stinging cells of their prey without discharging them; these pass from the digestive tract to the ceratia (feathery structures) where they are used by the slug for its own defense. (watch video) Please support Reef Relief’s work to protect […]
Coral Reef Fact: Fluorescent coral absorbs light at one wavelength and emits it at another. Scientists have found that corals with fluorescent properties can handle the effects of coral bleaching caused by warmer waters better than other corals. Find out how this may, also, benefit us: Fluorescent Coral Could Aid Cancer Research (video) Join Reef […]
Coral Reef Fact: Hogfish (Lachnolaimus maximus) are protogynous hermaphrodites. Females, upon reaching larger size and through social dominance, can transform into fully functional males. Learn more at http://reefguide.org/carib/index7.html Join Reef Relief today to support coral reef conservation. www.reefrelief.org/donate
Coral Reef Fact: The cuttlefish has three hearts, with two pumping blood to its large gills and one circulating the oxygenated blood to the rest of its body. The blood itself is blue-green in color because it possesses hemocyanin, a copper-containing protein typical in cephalopods—cuttlefish, octopuses, and squids. For more info http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/camo/ See cuttlefish on […]