Marine Animals

Marine Animals

ROV SuBastian pilots collect a geologic sample from a hydrothermal vent chimney nearly 3,890 meters (2.4 miles) deep. Scientists discovered two new hydrothermal vent fields in one of the least explored areas of the Atlantic Ocean, the Doldrums Megatransform and Fracture Zone. This large, tectonically active system cuts across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which forms the world’s longest mountain chain. These types of vent fields are rare because of their hybrid “plumbing” systems, featuring typical volcanic venting alongside serpentinization, a chemical reaction that occurs when rocks from the Earth’s mantle are exposed to seawater. Photo Credit: ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute

When a deep-sea robot ventured down into the Atlantic's Doldrums, it found something massive no one expected – leaving scientists stunned

During a month-long mid-Atlantic expedition, underwater robots found rare hydrothermal vent systems, fish with translucent skulls and elusive squid with thread-like tentacles
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Fishing net under water gillnet in the ocean with rock and blue water

Scientists tied plastic bottles to fishing nets – what happened next amazed them

Hundreds of dolphins die in fishing nets every year. How adding this one thing to nets s could help save them
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A single red plastic bottle top washed up on an otherwise pristine beach. Wash of an ocean wave blurred in the background.

Hundreds of miles. One plastic cap. 307 individual hitchhikers

Researchers found hundreds of organisms hitchhiking on a plastic bottle cap and warn that this type of pollution could cause invasive species to move into new areas
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A dead seal washed up on Depp's Beach near Victor Harbor in South Australia, likely due to algal bloom

"Marine animals were mysteriously dropping dead: around 1 million were wiped out." Scientists now know the reason why – and it's terrifying

Marine researchers in Australia have found what might be the most toxic species of microalgae ever studied.
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The huge 200kg 'man-eating' sea monster that never actually ate anyone

These colossal clams were rumoured to kill humans but the opposite is true – climate change, pollution and overharvesting are pushing them to the brink
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Pod of sperm whales

Whale experts studied the noises of this isolated population – and discovered something incredibly human-like about them

Scientists have identified two distinct dialects in Mediterranean sperm whales and believe it mirrors the movement of ancestral clans
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Clytia hemisphaerica

This jellyfish can heal wounds “in minutes” – now scientists want to uncover its secret

A transparent jellyfish shows how cells can crawl and pull their way to wound healing
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Whale shark

12 incredible photos of the biggest shark on Earth

These striking images show the remarkable size and amazing feeding techniques of whale sharks.
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"I experienced relaxation of muscles in the limbs, was hardly able to speak or control my facial expression and felt almost like I were going to die”

The flower urchin looks like it’s covered in hundreds of beautiful petals but each one is a set of snapping jaws ready to bite
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2JD912X GIANT HUMBOLDT SQUID, DEEP SEA, 2006,

"It has a sharp beak designed for slicing and hunts in packs that can number thousands. Some even say that if you fell overboard it would tear you to pieces"

These demonic deep-sea creatures hunt in packs of thousands and are equipped with the perfect weapon to severe their prey’s spinal cord.
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A single use plastic bottle floats in the clear blue ocean as a result of human pollution and lack of education. Perfect for ocean conservation theme. (This bottle was collected and taken out of the ocean)

When marine scientists found a plastic bottle floating in the ocean, they were shocked to see this large animal living inside, unable to escape

Marine scientists were shocked to find a large live crab stuck inside a small plastic bottle. This is how it got there
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Mapping coral reefs in Australia

Satellite images reveal more than 1,000 unmapped coral reefs in Australia

The discovery of thousands of previously unchartered coral reefs could reinforce conservation efforts in northern Australian waters, say researchers.
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Credit: James Bell

“It’s by far the largest I’ve ever seen in my 25 years as a marine biologist…” New 4-metre giant, 400-year-old creature discovered

A coral over twice the average height of a male adult human – and is also possibly 400 years old – has been found in the depths of Fiordland
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Scenic airplane perspective of Queensland coral reef showing turquoise waters and natural patterns.

What’s the difference between fringing reefs, atolls and barrier reefs?

Coral reefs may look similar at first glance, but their shapes, locations and structures reveal how they form – and how vulnerable they are.
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Biggest Coral

It's as long as a basketball court, as tall as a giraffe and so huge it can be seen from space

Experts estimate that the massive mega coral – found near the Solomon Islands in the south-west Pacific Ocean – is about 300 years old.
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Komodo, Indonesia

It's huge – the size of a dustbin lid – has 21 arms lined with deadly barbed spines capable of causing severe pain - but that's not its most alarming feature...

A sting from this huge starfish could cause pus, bleeding and anaphylaxis. But that’s not the only reason to be VERY worried
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Vintage engraved illustration - Kraken (legendary sea monster)

10 gigantic, deadly and terrifying sea monsters that were inspired by humongous real-life ocean animals

These real-life ocean animals were so terrifying to seafarers that they became embedded in history as legendary sea monsters
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Asteroid impact on Earth

"Within minutes, the asteroid created a 1.5 km curtain of rock that collapsed into the North Sea, creating a tsunami taller than Big Ben"

Did a huge asteroid really strike the North Sea millions of years ago?
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Hairy frogfish (Antennarius hispidus) on sandy ground, open mouth.

It's grumpy, looks like it's had a VERY bad hair day, and has formidable jaws that can expand to 12 times their normal size – allowing it to swallow enormous prey

This contender for the fastest-eating fish lures prey with a fin disguised as a worm.
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Central Park New York

A once-decimated creature is returning to New York’s waterways. Now scientists are collecting its DNA

New York Harbour once boasted massive wild oyster populations – but intensive harvesting and harbour pollution led to the collapse of the reefs
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Moray eel with open mouth and sharp teeth

They have secret teeth, can grow 3m long and are covered in slime. Moray eels are awesome – and these 13 incredible photos prove it

These moray eel images are absolutely breathtaking.
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Asian Water Monitor (Varanus salvator)

Huge, often carnivorous and formidable predators: 10 biggest lizards in the world

Lizards are found on all continents apart from Antarctica and the largest ones are huge monsters. Here are ten of the biggest lizards
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Vampire squid

It has a cloak, huge eyes and bright blue snot – AND that's only the beginning...

What are vampire squids? Where do they live and why are they called vampire? Stuart Blackman explains all
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Watch gobsmacking footage of thousands of dolphins leaping alongside and encircling a boat...

Lots of smaller pods of dolphins all joined together to create a super pod of epic proportions
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