Melissa Hobson
Marine science and conservation writer
Melissa Hobson, doing business as The Ocean Writer Ltd., is a marine science and conservation writer based in Hastings. She has written about the ocean for outlets including BBC Wildlife, BBC Countryfile, National Geographic, New Scientist and the Guardian. Visit Melissa’s website at melissahobson.co.uk or follow her on LinkedIn.
Recent articles by Melissa Hobson
Thousands of jellyfish moved into a lake on an Indonesian island – then a strange thing happened to their bodies
After ending up in the sheltered waters of the lake in Raja Ampat, the jellies evolved. Today, people can swim with them – if they’re incredibly careful not to harm these delicate stingless creatures.
This US shoreline hosts one of Earth's largest shark gatherings. Aerial images just revealed something worrying
Scientists in Florida are concerned about the impacts of beach nourishment projects on blacktip sharks and other marine species.
This tentacled giant can grow as long as a cricket bat. Tens of thousands are about to gather in South Australia
The giant cuttlefish aggregation at Point Lowly in South Australia is one of the planet's greatest wildlife spectacles.
"Unreal" feeding frenzy caught on camera in Mexico
During Mexico’s sardine run, pelicans and sea lions go head-to-head gobbling down bait fish.
This curious creature has a fishing rod dangling out of its head. It doesn't just use it for hunting…
Researchers studied more than 100 species of anglerfish to learn more about the secrets of their legendary lures.
Scientists drop cameras 9,100m deep off coast of Japan. What they find baffles them
While exploring deep-sea trenches off Japan, researchers found a creature so weird they couldn’t identify it.
Why San Francisco Bay has suddenly become a death trap for gray whales
Climate change is pushing starving gray whales into California's San Francisco Bay, where they are often hit and killed by boats, according to a new study.
Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal declared Endangered
Climate change is pushing these Antarctic species to the brink
When 30 tiny concrete 'apartments' popped up in an Australian rainforest, a bunch of elusive animals moved in
Scientists built tiny shelters for ground-dwelling frogs in Queensland to see which ones they liked the best. Here's what they discovered...
Crab wanders through Suez Canal into Mediterranean Sea. Now scientists are worried
The portunid crab is native to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, but now it’s being found in the Mediterranean. Here's why that could be a problem.
For 50 years, there have been rumours of these fish climbing waterfalls. Scientists just filmed them doing it for the first time
Remarkable footage shows hundreds of shellear fish scrambling up Luvilombo Falls in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Powerful swimmers with massive heads, thick necks, and paws like sledgehammers, these diving big cats hunt below and above the water. Watch them in action
Jaguars are known to be aquatic hunters but some individuals are pushing the limits through new techniques
Adorable footage shows giant panda chomping on bamboo in Chinese mountains
These characterful animals can consume several kilos of the plant every hour.
This baby elephant taking its first trembling steps is the cutest thing you’ll see today
Baby elephants learn to walk within the first hour of their life. If they didn’t, they might not survive.
Scientists tracked 39 polar bears and 26 seals through the Arctic wilderness. What they discovered is important
The researchers wanted to learn more about how climate change is reshaping Arctic food webs.
Biologists stuck a camera on a sea turtle – and it filmed this
TurtleCams are helping marine researchers learn more about the lives of sea turtles as they cruise through our seas.
'As we approached the overhang, we spotted it – a bizarre creature with a fleshy beard lurking in the shadows'
Wobbegong sharks are ambush predators, hiding in reefs waiting for their prey to swim close enough. But they're very hard to find, says Melissa Hobson, who was lucky enough to spot one on a recent dive in Indonesia.
Researchers put a spy camera into the ocean. And this spiny creature took the bait
This predatory starfish can grow to 70cm in diameter and has white spines all over its body.
Drones film sperm whales headbutting each other. It's the first time the behaviour has been caught on camera
Marine scientists have filmed and scientifically described sperm whales headbutting each other for the first time – validating what mariners have said since the 19th century.
“Its prey was still alive.” Photographer captures blue dragons feeding in unbelievable detail
A nature photographer in Gran Canaria captured hypnotic close-up footage of blue dragon nudibranchs feasting on prey.
Can whales and dolphins crossbreed?
Interbreeding between different cetacean species is extremely rare but has been known to happen
Photographer spots snow leopard in remote Indian mountains. He wasn’t expecting it to do this
Life can be tough for these rare predators, but they still find time to enjoy themselves...
Scientists record world's longest underwater timelapse. What is reveals is astonishing
The 1,000-day underwater timelapse, recorded on an urban reef in Miami, shows corals bleaching before making a miraculous recovery.
Ginormous king penguin colony filmed on remote Atlantic island. The sound of it is ear-splitting
Listen to the remarkable sound of thousands of penguins calling to each other in South Georgia.
