We all know that the seas and oceans of the world are full of beautiful, weird and wacky creatures that are uniquely adapted to survive in the environments that they call home. However, the human imagination can sometimes be more fascinating than the reality of the world, if we can truly say these creatures come from the imaginations of men and women throughout history and not simply creatures that have been lost to time. In this blog, we’re going to dive deep beneath the waves to uncover the greatest mythical creatures from across the seven seas, their origins, real life inspirations and if w ..read more

Visiting your local beach is a great way to spend the day, but it’s so important to make sure you leave the area as you found it – free from rubbish! Our coastlines are at risk of suffering greatly from pollution, with an astonishing 8 million tonnes of plastic entering the sea every year. So many of our beaches are simply stunning, but it’s crucial that you dispose of any rubbish or unwanted items responsibly, in order to reduce the impact of plastic pollution and unsightly bits of litter. What is plastic pollution? Plastic pollution is probably one of the world’s biggest issues right now, wi ..read more

The calendar is filled with national awareness days, and days to celebrate or raise awareness of certain causes – some of which you are probably already familiar with. However, there are some national days that are of particular interest to us because they relate to animals, sea creatures and looking after our planet’s resources! From World Wildlife Day to Global Recycling Day, these are the national animal or national environmental days you should put in your calendar. January Energy Savers Week Energy Savers Week usually occurs around the middle of January, and is designed to help you be a l ..read more

As Easter quickly approaches, you might find yourself scrambling for ideas of how to keep the family entertained. Luckily for you, we’ve got some budget-friendly ideas for egg-citing Easter crafts that are eco-friendly, sustainable and – of course – fun for everybody. From Easter bunny headbands to sea creatures made from household items, our list of crafty inspirations is sure to put a hop in your step this Easter. Not only are we giving you simple and easy step-by-step instructions to follow, but we’re also here to show you that crafts don’t need to cost anything or waste materials. In fact ..read more

Electric eels are fascinating creatures native to the freshwater ecosystems of the Amazon and Orinoco river basins in South America. Despite their name, they are more closely related to catfish and carp than true eels. In this blog post, we will delve into the captivating world of electric eels, exploring their unique characteristics, behaviours, and the electrifying mechanism that sets them apart from other aquatic species. What is an electric eel? Electric eels, often referred to as such, are more closely related to catfish and carp than true eels. Their scientific classification is Gymnotid ..read more

In the vast depths of the world’s oceans, a creature with an extraordinary ability silently floats, captivating the curiosity of scientists and enthusiasts alike. The immortal jellyfish, with its mystical name, boasts a unique biological phenomenon that has intrigued marine biologists since its discovery. In this blog post, we embark on an exploration of this fascinating invertebrate, delving into its discovery, characteristics, and the secrets behind its seemingly eternal life. What is an immortal jellyfish? The immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) earns its mesmerising nickname due to it ..read more

Throughout the world’s oceans, there is a diverse range of sea creatures that have are adapted to survive in the environment that they call home. It’s no surprise then, that some of these marine animals, despite being from very different families, can have similar adaptations to survive in the same environment. Skinny, long, and live in water are all phrases that can be used to describe both eels and sea snakes, but one’s a reptile and one’s a fish, so what is the difference? What is a sea snake? A sea snake, as the name would suggest is the name for a plethora of snakes, that spend significan ..read more

Apex predators are animals that are at the top of their respective food chains. Examples of apex predators include tigers, polar bears and some species of shark. All apex predators, and predators more broadly rely heavily on their highly tuned senses to track and catch prey. Sharks are no different in this regard, but which senses do they rely on the most? In this blog, we’ll explore the senses that sharks use to catch their prey, what makes them unique and what similarities they share with other fish. How far can sharks smell?  Sharks have an incredible sense of smell, among the best in ..read more

Sharks are some of the oldest creatures that inhabit the earth, dating back over 450 million years. Because of this, there is massive variation in their appearance, diet, and habitat. In this blog, we’ll shine a spotlight on the Port Jackson shark, a brilliantly unique-looking shark that calls Sydney Harbour its home. Port Jackson sharks share the same broad, flat nose as other bull sharks but what makes them unique is their harness-like bands that wrap around its body.  The largest of the bull sharks, the shark can grow up to 1.65m long, although the males are slightly smaller than the f ..read more

Some fish can’t swim very well – how’s that for a paradox?! That’s right, as absurd as it may sound, not all fish are strong swimmers. In fact, some species can scarcely swim at all, and have instead evolved some pretty ingenious ways to stay afloat in our seas, oceans, rivers, and lakes. So, of all the sub-par paddlers in the world’s waters, which stand out as the fish that flounder the most? Let’s take a look at some of the species that rank as the world’s worst swimmers, many of which are on display right here at Bristol Aquarium. Seahorses There are lots of attributes to seahorses (Hipp ..read more