Learn about marine biology, what marine biology is and the basics of oceanic life. Learn what distinguishes oceanic life from terrestrial life.
Shark scientists have questioned basking shark migration for decades. An an article in 1954 proposed that basking sharks hibernated on the ocean bottom during the winter, as shark sightings were scarce once cold weather hit. Tagging studies on sharks have revealed new information on at least one population of basking sharks.
There are over 80 species of whales, and each has their own movement patterns, but in general, whales migrate toward the colder poles in the summer and toward the more tropical waters of the equator in the winter. This pattern allows whales to take advantage of the productive feeding grounds in colder waters in the summer, and then when productivity lowers, to migrate to warmer waters and give bi…
Sleeping in the ocean is definitely different than sleeping on land. As we learn more about sleep in marine life, we're learning that marine animals don't have the same requirements for long periods of undisturbed sleep that we do. Here you can learn more about how different types of marine animals sleep.
[p]Marine algae, commonly called seaweeds, is important for food and shelter in the ocean. Algae also does photosynthesis like our land plants, which provides oxygen for both the ocean and the rest of the Earth.[/p]
[p]There are also a myriad of human uses for algae, which include food, medicinal and agricultural. Learn more about the plants in the ocean here.[/p]
Marine biology is the scientific study of plants and animals that live in salt water. When many people think about a marine biologist, they picture a dolphin trainer. But marine biology is so much more. Learn about the field of marine biology, a marine biologist's tools and the importance of studying the oceans and their marine life and habitats.
There are thousands of species of marine life, from tiny zooplankton to enormous whales. Each is adapted to the specific habitat it occupies. Throughout the oceans, marine organisms must deal with several things that terrestrial life do not, including regulation of salt, obtaining oxygen, and adapting to water pressure. Learn about ways marine organisms survive in the oceans.
Is it a whale, dolphin or porpoise? These terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. Learn about the terms whale, dolphin and porpoise and how they are used to describe different members of the order Cetacea.
Seals, sea lions and walruses are all in the order Carnivora and suborder Pinnipedia,and are called “pinnipeds.” There are three families of pinnipeds, the Phocidae (earless or ‘true’ seals); the Otariidae (eared seals), and the Odobenidae (walrus.) This article focuses on the difference between the earless seals and the eared seals, or sea lions.
There are over 80 recognized species of whales, dolphins and porpoises, or cetaceans, and these species are divided into two main groups: the baleen whales and the toothed whales. While they are all considered whales, there are some important differences between the baleen whales and toothed whales.
