We get pretty excited about the common siphonophore. What’s not to love?
We’re thrilled to be the first public aquarium in the world to culture and raise these delightful drifters. While these animals are incredibly fragile and difficult to see, they’re abundant and can be found throughout the ocean!
Siphonophores are colonies of tiny animals called “zooids”, and they play an important role in the oceanic food webs.
Thank you to our colleagues at @mbari-blog for the common siphonophore footage! Check out their website to learn more about these magnificent mysteries!
"Nautiluses are a living link to the ancient past.
They’ve been around over 480 million years, cruising deep ocean reefs even before the time of dinosaurs. These soft-bodied creatures live inside an intricately chambered shell.
A nautilus can only sense dark and light with its simple, pinhole-type eyes. But a nautilus can perceive water depth and current directions, as well as current speeds, to help it keep its body upright. A highly developed sense of smell helps a nautilus search for food and find mates."
Full article
- Monterey Bay Aquarium
What sound would a predatory tunicate make? Resembling a piranha plant from Super Mario Bros., these transparent invertebrates live anchored along the deep sea canyon walls and seafloor, patiently waiting for unsuspecting prey to wander by or swim into their cavernous hoods.