When you think of a billfish, what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s a swordfish, a sailfish, or even the giant marlin from Ernest Hemingway’s classic The Old Man and the Sea. It can be confusing because 12 species are collectively known as billfish: one swordfish, four spearfish, two sailfish, and five marlins.
Mola molas, or sunfish, are some of the heaviest bony fish in the world. You can see these creatures firsthand in Bali.
Do you know which marine animal can camouflage the fastest and most effectively? (It can change in one fifth of a second!) Hint: It has eight long tentacles.
Crocodiles are apex predators, and in the wrong place and time, humans are potential prey. There are exceptions, but most of these wonderful and primitive reptiles won’t squander encountering a potential meal. When swimming in any reptile habitat, know who and what you may encounter, or don’t swim at all. The resident American crocodiles at Jardines de la Reina routinely share their waters with snorkelers and divers, but Jen Hayes didn’t feel the same comfort working in Nile crocodile waters in Botswana.
Shark diving has grown in popularity and North Carolina boasts incredible opportunities for divers to get up-close-and-personal.
Polar bears are magnificent creatures and one photographer made it their work to capture them on film. The photographer traveled to the cold depths of the globe to find the white bears. Learn more about this polar bear venture.
Colorful parrotfish may be vital to a coral reef’s survival. Because of their specific feeding habits — and what they eat — they keep algae down.
Marine biodiversity is vast and each river, lake, ocean and reef has different life. But what underlies regional diversities in marine biodiversity? How can one place support more life compared to others? Learn more about this kind of biodiversity.
Plankton are fascinating critters and are critical in keeping our oceans healthy. There is wide diversity amongst plankton. Learn more about plankton.
Harp seals are adorable sea critters, adapted perfectly for living in cold climates. Diving with them is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Read more about one diver’s adventures with harp seals.