Animal Life
09/16/2008 20:38
Animal Life
The marine biome is home for many animals, seeing the oceans alone account for about three quarters of the world. In fact, "oceans represent the largest and most diverse of the ecosystems."(Marine Biomes, par 1) Generally, when we speak of marine biomes we characterize the biome by its dominant animals. Most of the oceans are said to be a single biome, however, areas with unusual or unique physical characteristics or inhabitants may be considered as separate biomes.( Biome - Major Biomes And Their Characteristics par 1) "Because of rising and falling tides, coastal areas are constantly changing, with various animals".
In the warm shallow waters and surrounding islands you are sure to find barriers called coral reefs. Coral is a living organism consisting of animal and algae tissues. Corals feed like plants through the process of photosynthesis, and like animals, they also use their tentacles to catch micro-organisms. The coral reef is also host to other species such as starfish, octopi, and other mollusks. (World Biomes, par 6)
This is a chart of major oceanic animals:
Name of Animal Description
Killer Whale
scientifically known as Orcinus orca, the killer whale is the largest in the dolphin family. Killer whales are located worldwide, especially in the cooler seas.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
scientifically known as Eretmochelys imbicata, the hawskbill sea turtle is endangered because of the large desire for it's beautiful, serried shell. The hawksbill turtle lives around coral reefs and other rocky areas, generally close to shore. These sea turtles lay about 150 eggs at a time, more than any other turtle.
Walrus
scientifically known as Odobenus rosmarus, the walrus feeds mainly on molluscs. The walrus is located in northern oceans, mainly on rocky islands in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans, a few miles off the shores of Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia. Only one walrus is born in each general area every two years because of the long period of pregnancy.
Sponge
scientifically known as Axinella polypoides, the sponge is one of the simplest multicellular animals, and can play the male or female role in reproduction. Sponges are very porous animals that attach themselves to rocks and other solid objects in the ocean where there is a sufficient food supply.
Sea Star
scientifically known as Asterias rubens, the sea star has very spiny skin. Some of the bumps are to absorb oxygen, others are for cleaning itself, and others are just to keep other organisms, such as barnacles, from landing on the sea star's surface. The sea star has suckers on the ends of it's feet that help it hold prey and hold onto rocks in a strong current. It also has tiny tube feet underneath it's arms to help it move.
Umbrella Jellyfish
scientifically known as Eutonina indicans, the umbrella jellyfish is transparent, making almost invisible in the ocean. This provides a good source of self-protection, because most predators cannot see it. These jellyfish are located in cooler, northern oceans.
Killer Whale
scientifically known as Orcinus orca, the killer whale is the largest in the dolphin family. Killer whales are located worldwide, especially in the cooler seas.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
scientifically known as Eretmochelys imbicata, the hawskbill sea turtle is endangered because of the large desire for it's beautiful, serried shell. The hawksbill turtle lives around coral reefs and other rocky areas, generally close to shore. These sea turtles lay about 150 eggs at a time, more than any other turtle.
Walrus
scientifically known as Odobenus rosmarus, the walrus feeds mainly on molluscs. The walrus is located in northern oceans, mainly on rocky islands in the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans, a few miles off the shores of Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia, and Russia. Only one walrus is born in each general area every two years because of the long period of pregnancy.
Sponge
scientifically known as Axinella polypoides, the sponge is one of the simplest multicellular animals, and can play the male or female role in reproduction. Sponges are very porous animals that attach themselves to rocks and other solid objects in the ocean where there is a sufficient food supply.
Sea Star
scientifically known as Asterias rubens, the sea star has very spiny skin. Some of the bumps are to absorb oxygen, others are for cleaning itself, and others are just to keep other organisms, such as barnacles, from landing on the sea star's surface. The sea star has suckers on the ends of it's feet that help it hold prey and hold onto rocks in a strong current. It also has tiny tube feet underneath it's arms to help it move.
Umbrella Jellyfish
scientifically known as Eutonina indicans, the umbrella jellyfish is transparent, making almost invisible in the ocean. This provides a good source of self-protection, because most predators cannot see it. These jellyfish are located in cooler, northern oceans.
(https://nhs.needham.k12.ma.us/cur/bio_99/p7/ds_sw_p7/open_ocean.htm)
(killer whale, https://www-personal.umich.edu/~ahrensk/killer-whale.jpg)
(Hawksbill sea turtle, https://www.yoto98.noaa.gov/books/turtles/turtle4.htm)
(walrus, https://animals.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/animals/images/primary/walrus-portrait.jpg) 
(sponge, https://www.oceanicresearch.org/jpegs/spawning_sponge.jpg)
(umbrella jellyfish, https://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=76098&rendTypeId=4)
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