NOAA OCEAN EXPLORATION & RESEARCH / FLICKR / CC BY-SA 2.0
COURTESY OF CCEB CAIRNS COLLEGE OF ENGLISH & BUSINESS
DUMBO OCTOPUS
Few places on Earth are as uncharted as the ocean — and , sometimes , it ’ s hard to wrap our minds around just how vast these bodies of water are . According to the National Ocean Service , saltwater oceans make up more than 70 % of the planet ’ s surface and hold roughly 97 % of its water . These numbers are astonishingly high , but that isn ’ t even where the shock ends : National Geographic states that more than 80 % of the ocean has never been mapped or explored , with more known about the moon and Mars than about our own ocean floor .
So it ’ s no wonder that unique phenomena and lesserknown marine life are scattered across the globe . From blue holes and bioluminescence to species like anglerfish , leafy seadragons and endangered vaquitas , there is much to learn about the mysteries contained in the world ’ s oceans .
Barrier Reefs
Similar to a standard coral reef , a barrier reef is set offshore , separated from the land by a lagoon or other body of water . Often called the “ rainforests of the sea ,” the diversity of life found along a barrier reef is unparalleled . These rare reefs are of incredible importance for the health of the ocean and its creatures , as they serve as a place for marine life to rest , seek shelter and find food . Many different fish can be found along these reefs , but its primary inhabitants include oysters , clams , crabs , urchins and sea stars . The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is the most famous , but others can be found in Belize and Mexico .
Dumbo Octopus
Another deep sea animal , the Dumbo octopus is able to stay out of fishing nets and has few predators on the ocean floor . As such , they are also rarely spotted by humans and , living at least 13,000 feet below the surface , they are the deepest-living octopuses in the ocean . For this reason , you won ’ t see them in an aquarium either , as they cannot survive due to changes in pressure between the ocean floor and the water ’ s surface . This tiny octopus , measuring a mere eight inches tall , was named for the Disney animated film of the same name due to its ear-like fins that protrude from the face .
Giant Tube Worm
The giant tube worm is a unique sea creature that thrives in extreme heat , often growing in the depths of the ocean near places where hot water flows out of the seafloor . What makes this marine invertebrate so interesting ? Well , for
SPRING / SUMMER 2023 | SEA ISLAND LIFE 83