A mollusk swims up to a sea cucumber. The mollusk looks around at the reef and says (because in jokes everyone talks) to the sea cucumber, “I think we’re in hot water.” I’m no clownfish, but I think Marlin may have told this joke if Finding Nemo came out in 2024.  You might ask why a fish would make jokes about the temperature. Well, if you have been reading the news or following our blogs, you know the ocean is getting hotter due to humans burning fossil fuels. In fact, 90% of all global warming is occurring in our ocean. April 2024 was the thirteenth month in a row t ..read more

Our ocean is home to a diverse range of species that carry out their daily activities with little concern. Take the surgeonfish, which spends its days peacefully grazing on the green and brown algae of coral reefs. But, beneath this tranquility, ambush predators patiently hunt for their next meal. “Ambush predators,” or “sit-and-wait predators,” use a unique hunting strategy. Unlike their counterparts, “pursuit predators,” that rely on speed and endurance to chase down their prey, ambush predators conserve energy by concealing themselves. They wait for the right moment to launch a su ..read more

Gag grouper are reef fish that live in the waters off the Southeastern United States, with a range that extends south throughout the Caribbean and along the coast of Brazil. They primarily eat fish, crabs and shrimp and can live for more than 30 years. They can weigh up to 80 pounds. Gag grouper are usually grayish brown and black, and some are called “copper bellies” due to darker patterns on their undersides. Gag grouper are known for distinct kiss-shaped markings on their sides in an adorable camouflage pattern.  Gag grouper are fascinating because they are hermaphrodite ..read more

My favorite creatures in the ocean are the weird ones. Those blobby, slippery, bizarre, alien-looking things that make you wonder “How does that live on our planet with us?” They remind me that the slice of nature I get to see is just a small fraction of the life out there. The Earth is a weird place, and that’s what makes it wonderful.  And that’s why it gives me such great pleasure to introduce you to one of these strange and glorious creatures: the swimming sea cucumber, also known as the headless chicken monster. This curious creature is a beautiful deep red color with fins ..read more

Nearly every night during our bedtime routine of reading countless books, my kids will ask me, “Why haven’t we met a dinosaur yet?” And, nearly every night, I begrudgingly admit that dinosaurs are extinct, and we probably won’t see one walking down the street anytime soon. But then I got to thinking … are they really extinct? Sure, we don’t share morning commutes with pterodactyls or velociraptors. Still, I’d be remiss not to teach my kids about the fascinating prehistoric creatures that still live beneath our ocean’s surface. So let’s talk about tarpon. See more wonderful ocean anim ..read more

Our ocean’s beloved coral reefs are home to many vibrant, unique and important marine animals. One of these creatures is none other than the surgeonfish, a fish that plays an important role in promoting healthy coral reefs.  Love ocean content? Enter your email and never miss an update Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Please try again or contact 1.888.780.6763 Enter Your Email ...loading Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. When talking about these iconic fish, it’s only natural to begin with a reference to one of the most famous surgeonfish out there, D ..read more

Hammerheads are some of the most recognizable fish in the sea—their iconic “hammer” head is unlike the head of any other shark out there. But did you know there are actually several species of hammerhead? Get the scoop on these spectacular sharks!  See more wonderful ocean animals! Enter your email and never miss an update Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list. Please try again or contact 1.888.780.6763 Enter Your Email ...loading Thanks for signing up for Ocean Conservancy emails. What is a hammerhead shark? Let’s start with the basics. Hammerheads are elasmobranchs, which ..read more

Sometimes when you live in a big city like Baltimore, you forget that you are still living in a vibrant ecosystem. One of my favorite things to do with friends is to spot some of the incredible sea creatures that live in our harbor. One of my favorite animal neighbors is the Atlantic bay nettles, which were recently discovered to be a different species of sea nettle that lives in the Chesapeake Bay. You can commonly see these gorgeous jellyfish here in the summer and fall. They have beautiful long tendrils that dance around as they glide in a pulsing motion. But before you get too lu ..read more

Echinoderms constitute a unique group of animals that have me believing in the magic of our ocean. For a family of slow-moving creatures with no brains or bones, you’d expect echinoderms to really struggle for survival. But while there are several threats facing echinoderms, some species have been around for more than 500 million years. If you’ve never heard of echinoderms before, we’ve got you covered. While you’ve likely already heard of the group’s most famous members like sea stars, brittle stars, feather stars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers, there is so much more to know. Let’s dive in. S ..read more

Just like a snowflake falling from the sky, the whitespotted eagle ray is unique; no two are exactly the same. The whitespotted eagle ray is a beautiful sight to behold with its long pointy tail and its body spotted with white dots.  The whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) is a cartilaginous fish—and one of the ocean’s largest rays. The genus name Aetobatus comes from the Greek word aetos meaning “eagle” and batis meaning “ray.” See more wonderful ocean animals! Enter your email and never miss an update Sorry, but we failed to add you to the list ..read more