Marine Biogeography

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.

An outcrop of colorful coral and a diver swims in the background

Going Up

Every night as the sun slips below the horizon, countless aquatic creatures begin migrating up from the deep in what is quite possibly the greatest show on Earth. Seeking nourishment […]

Orcas in Norway

Learn how orcas in Norway adapt their hunting skills to thrive in diverse ecosystems and follow the herring migration.

A freediver photographs an orca

Walruses

Weighing up to 3,000 pounds, walruses are among the largest pinnipeds. However, walruses and polar bears are threatened because of diminishing sea ice in the Arctic. Learn more about these pinnipeds.

A large group of walruses sun bathes in the arctic tundra.

Jellyfish

Jellyfish are fascinating creatures with very interesting life cycles. Jellyfish populations throughout the world can teach us a lot about climate change and changing environments. Learn more about jellyfish.

An upside-down jellyfish floats in mangroves.

Basking Sharks

The basking shark is the world’s second-largest fish. They have large gaping mouths which are used to skim the plankton-rich surface of the water. Basking sharks are slow and populations have been declining.

A basking shark has its mouth wide open and its jaw looks like a skeleton.

Krill

Krill are a critical food source for a host of animals, including birds, whales, seals, sharks, fish and squid. Like many other marine animals, the blue whale depends largely on krill for survival. Protecting krill populations will promote not only the survival of a huge variety of marine life but also preserve krill sightings.

Striped Marlin

Striped marlin can swim thousands of miles and are found in vast tropical and subtropical oceans. They feed on fast-moving prey and are highly migratory.

The Paper Nautilus

The paper nautilus is a pelagic octopus in the family Argonautidae. Researchers disagree about the number of distinct extant species. Nautiluses can quickly jet-propel themselves through the water, making it difficult to photograph them.

Beneath the Birds

Flying and encircling birds often act as beacons to what underwater predators and creatures could be below. Learn a geographic location’s bird species to gain a better understanding of a locale’s marine life.