There are thousands of species of marine life, from tiny zooplankton to enormous whales. Each is adapted to the specific habitat it occupies. Fish can drink salt water, and eliminate the salt through their gills. Seabirds also drink salt water, and the excess salt is eliminated via the nasal, or "salt glands" into the nasal cavity, and then is shaken, or sneezed out by the bird. Whales don't drink salt water, instead getting the water they need from the organisms they eat.
Many marine mammals live in very cold water. They have blubber to insulate their bodies and keep them warm in the cold ocean waters. Blubber is a really thick layer of fat between the animal's skin and inside organs. It is very effective at keeping an animal warm. The gray whale's layer of blubber is about 10 inches thick!
Whales, dolphins, porpoises, walruses, manatees, dugongs, seals, and sea otters are all mammals that live in the ocean. Some, like seals and sea otters, can also live on land, but they spend most of their time underwater. These animals have lungs, are warm-blooded, give birth to live babies (they don't lay eggs) and nurse their babies, but they live in salt water instead of on dry land like most mammals. Since they have lungs, they need to breathe air instead of just getting oxygen from the water like fish and other ocean animals can. Instead of breathing air through their mouth or nose like we do though, a whale or dolphin uses a special hole on the back of its head called a blow hole to get air from above the surface of the water. Then it dives back down into the water and swims around for a few minutes before it needs to come up to breathe again. When it does, it breathes out the air through the blow hole and then breathes in more air so it can go back under the water again. When the air goes out of the blow hole, there is usually some water that squirts out with it, making a little spray at the surface (like the killer whale in the picture). Marine mammals also have some fur or hair, but sometimes it falls out by they time they become adults.
Today, the possibilities for ocean exploration are nearly infinite. In addition to scuba diving, rebreathers, fast computers, remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs), deep sea submersibles, reinforced diving suits, and satellites, other technologies are also being developed. But interdisciplinary research is needed to continue building our understanding of the ocean, and what needs to be done to protect it. In spite of ongoing technological advances, it is estimated that only 5% of the oceans have been explored. Surprisingly, we know more about the moon than we do the ocean. This needs to change if we are to ensure the longevity of the life in the seas-and they cover 71% of the earth's surface. Unlike the moon, they are our backyard. Without a detailed collective understanding of the ramifications of pollution, overfishing, coastal development, as well as the long-term sustainability of ocean oxygen production and carbon dioxide and monoxide absorption, we face great risks to environmental and human health. We need this research so that we can act on potential problems-not react to them when it is already too late.
The aquatic displays and hands-on touch tanks at aquariums introduce children and parents to our local marine flora and fauna. Outreach programs are developed and presented by our marine staff and focus on place-based experiences and a hands-on approach to learning.
Many marine mammals live in very cold water. They have blubber to insulate their bodies and keep them warm in the cold ocean waters. Blubber is a really thick layer of fat between the animal's skin and inside organs. It is very effective at keeping an animal warm. The gray whale's layer of blubber is about 10 inches thick!
Whales, dolphins, porpoises, walruses, manatees, dugongs, seals, and sea otters are all mammals that live in the ocean. Some, like seals and sea otters, can also live on land, but they spend most of their time underwater. These animals have lungs, are warm-blooded, give birth to live babies (they don't lay eggs) and nurse their babies, but they live in salt water instead of on dry land like most mammals. Since they have lungs, they need to breathe air instead of just getting oxygen from the water like fish and other ocean animals can. Instead of breathing air through their mouth or nose like we do though, a whale or dolphin uses a special hole on the back of its head called a blow hole to get air from above the surface of the water. Then it dives back down into the water and swims around for a few minutes before it needs to come up to breathe again. When it does, it breathes out the air through the blow hole and then breathes in more air so it can go back under the water again. When the air goes out of the blow hole, there is usually some water that squirts out with it, making a little spray at the surface (like the killer whale in the picture). Marine mammals also have some fur or hair, but sometimes it falls out by they time they become adults.
Today, the possibilities for ocean exploration are nearly infinite. In addition to scuba diving, rebreathers, fast computers, remotely-operated vehicles (ROVs), deep sea submersibles, reinforced diving suits, and satellites, other technologies are also being developed. But interdisciplinary research is needed to continue building our understanding of the ocean, and what needs to be done to protect it. In spite of ongoing technological advances, it is estimated that only 5% of the oceans have been explored. Surprisingly, we know more about the moon than we do the ocean. This needs to change if we are to ensure the longevity of the life in the seas-and they cover 71% of the earth's surface. Unlike the moon, they are our backyard. Without a detailed collective understanding of the ramifications of pollution, overfishing, coastal development, as well as the long-term sustainability of ocean oxygen production and carbon dioxide and monoxide absorption, we face great risks to environmental and human health. We need this research so that we can act on potential problems-not react to them when it is already too late.
The aquatic displays and hands-on touch tanks at aquariums introduce children and parents to our local marine flora and fauna. Outreach programs are developed and presented by our marine staff and focus on place-based experiences and a hands-on approach to learning.
About the Author:
Want to find out more about La Jolla Aquarium Coupons, then visit Alex Prenderson's site on how to choose the best Seward Aquarium Discounts for your needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment