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Creatures of the SeaMythology of the OceanGiant Sea AnimalsTransparent Aquatic LifeProtect our Seas

Created by: Deborah Lawrence

Mermaid Mythology

Enchant sailors with singing and music, distracting them from their work often causing fatal accidents Mermaids:Various cultures have similar figures

Feared by sailors because they are considered a sign of bad luck

Manatee and Dugongs often mistaken for mermaids prior to mid 19th century

Japanese fishermen crafted mermaids for sideshow carnivals by stitching the upper bodies of monkeys onto the bodies of fish18th and 19th c. Edo JapanGiant Squid Mythology

Called KrakenThought to attack ships and eat sailors whole

Part Octopus, Crab, Squid, and Cuttlefish

Number of sightings (especially in 18th & 19th centuries)What makes sea serpent sightings different from other mysterious creatures?Mythology of Sea SerpentsSightings have been made by multiple people at once for sustained periods of time

Modern Giants of the Sea

SquidSharksWhalesJellyfishSharksSense a drop of blood from 2.5 miles away Can go up to at least 6 weeks without feeding

The Notorious Great WhiteThe largest meat-eating shark, growing up to 21 feet long

Great White Sharks:

Responsible for few human fatalities and usually do not target humans as prey

Sharks attack surfers because their silhouettes look like seals

Man-Eaters?Many attacks occur in waters with low visibility, or when the shark's senses are impaired

the Whale SharkGrows up to 50 ft long

Eats plankton, crustaceans and small fish

The Largest Shark:

Whales The loudest animals in the world their underwater sounds can travel great distancesWhales are mammals, not fishClick on whale for video

Blue Whales Often 100 ft in length, blue whales are the largest animals that have ever lived on earth they are even larger than dinosaurs! Giant Squids:The worlds largest invertebrates suspected to reach up to 60 ft in length!

Giant Squid captured for the 1st time in 200624-ft long Died from injuries sustained during the capture

Giant Jellyfish Bodies are made up of 95% water, they have no bones or cartilage, no heart or blood, and no brain

Transparent Marine LifeTransparency is an important method of camouflage Can also be a means of predatory animals tricking others

Transparent Salpa AsperaCan multiply into swarms under the right conditions The brown spot is the salp's stomachTransparent Siphonophores Are extremely fragile and can break apart in nets or by mere illumination

Transparent Ctenophore Even if half of the creature is destroyed, often the remaining half can rebuild itself

Capable of regenerationHabitat destruction is caused by:

Destructive fishing activity

Coastal real estate development

Pollution

Dredging ship channels

Save my homeProtect Our Seas

5 Simple ways to Preserve the Ocean:

Stop eating seafood. OR Learn how to practice sustainability When dining or shopping for fish carry a sustainable seafood wallet guide available from www.blueocean.org

Vote. Vote for candidates who support marine conservation

Do not pollute. Keep beaches clean and use environmentally friendly cleaning agents

Shop smartly. Dont purchase items that exploit marine resources unnecessarily

Teach children to respect nature and the environment

For more information visit:http://www.marinebio.org/Oceans/Conservation/local.asp

Protect Our Seas