Summer Writing Workshops 2016
Ocean Animals

Read More From
This Publication

Whale Shark: Neither Whale Nor Shark

With a name like whale shark, you would think this animal would be either a whale, or a shark, or perhaps a strange fierce combination of both. However, whale sharks are actually the world’s largest fish, but don’t worry: they don’t eat humans.

Their white spots are like fingerprints and can be used to identify individual whale sharks. Tourists often photograph whale sharks because of their interesting appearance. Tourists also send in the pictures they took of the whale sharks to ECOCEAN, a conservation program that helps researchers to look at the photographs to track those same whale sharks around the world. [Read More...]

Sea Otters Line North American Coasts

Sea otters are found in North America, and they are interesting and valuable animals because they act differently than other sea creatures.

Along the coast of North America, sea otters often spend their time bobbing on their backs doing many activities. They can look for their own food and they can brush their fur. [Read More...]

Coral Reefs are Home to Many Aquatic Species

Have you ever seen an undersea city? Coral reefs are sometimes called “undersea cities” because they have vibrant colors and provide homes to many ocean animals.

Corals protect the fish, shrimp, clams, and other organisms of the sea. In fact, a quarter of all sea life inhabits coral reefs, which create hard limestone shells. Some see creatures benefit coral reefs in return. For example, corals offer algae a place to live and, in turn, algae turn sunlight into food for the corals. Also, algae is the reason that coral reefs have so many beautiful colors! [Read More...]

Global Warming Endangers Arctic Belugas

Beluga whales are interesting animals. Most people don’t know much about them, but they are unique in many ways. Their bodies, the way they live in their environment, and the way they communicate, all contribute to making belugas the stand- out whales they are.

Belugas' bodies have a lot of fat on them. Their fat helps them keep warm in the Arctic Ocean where it is very cold and icy. In fact, Belugas carry about six extra inches of blubber during the coldest months. This extra fat not only helps keep them warm, but it also smooths out their body, which helps them swim better and faster. [Read More...]

More Recent Ocean Animals Articles

With a name like whale shark, you would think this animal would be either a whale, or a shark, or perhaps a strange fierce combination of both. However, whale sharks are actually the world’s largest fish, but don’t worry: they don’t eat humans. [read more...]
Besides the obviously cool fact that they have eight arms, octopuses have some other awesome features that many people do not know about. [read more...]
A small fish, known as the archerfish, have an extraordinary talent: they can shoot down prey using jets of water. Recently, researchers have found that archerfish have another special talent- they can recognize human faces. [read more...]
Beluga whales are interesting animals. Most people don’t know much about them, but they are unique in many ways. Their bodies, the way they live in their environment, and the way they communicate, all contribute to making belugas the stand- out whales they are. [read more...]
Emperor penguins are the largest of all penguins. These Arctic animals have unique behaviors. [read more...]
Have you ever seen an undersea city? Coral reefs are sometimes called “undersea cities” because they have vibrant colors and provide homes to many ocean animals. [read more...]
Sea otters are found in North America, and they are interesting and valuable animals because they act differently than other sea creatures. [read more...]