Right To The Point

Batoidea or should I say ray fish are very misunderstood creatures. There are around 500 different species of these ray fish. The most commonly known ray fish are the Sting Ray and the Manta Ray. Being boneless they use the flaps on their body to glide though the sea. They use electrical sensors to find their prey. They use their rounded teeth to feed on plankton, small fish, crustaceans, mollusks and worms. Rays can range from around 4 inches wide to 22 feet, depending on the species. 

The Sting Ray is known today because they are the reason for the death of Steve Irwin "The Crocodile Hunter", with their long stinger which is about 35cm long and highly venomous. Electric Rays are capable of sending an electric discharge of 50 to 200 volts from their body that paralyzes their prey, or to zap any predator away. Ray fish migrate to warmer waters to mate and feed. 

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/stingray/
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/182750/electric-ray
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/sharks/rays/

Meet The Jellies

Jellyfish have been around for over 500 million years and live in any body of water. There are 10 different types of jellyfish, some as small 25mm wide with a 5mm bell and four 1 meter stingers; the largest has a 2.5 meter with eight clusters of sticky tentacles and every cluster has 100 tentacles that are 30 meters long. They consume plankton, fish eggs, crustaceans, small fish and even other jellyfish. Using their tentacle stingers as a fishnet to catch their prey then absorbing all the nutrients from the prey. The tentacles of a jellyfish is filled with millions of nematocysts that sends venom into the skin of whatever it gets into contact with. 

Jellyfish evolve from a larva into a polyp then a medusa. These stages of evolution vary in time depending on the species of jellyfish. The Immortal Jellyfish has the ability to revert to its polyp state after it has sexually matured. It is the only animal that can conduct this process of reverting completely back to it's polyp state. All jellyfish reproduce according to light, this usually occurs during either dusk or dawn.

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/jellyfish/
http://www.immortal-jellyfish.com/Immortal-Jellyfish-Facts.html
http://marinelife.about.com/od/invertebrates/p/Lions-mane-jellyfish-profile.htm
http://science.howstuffworks.com/zoology/marine-life/jellyfish.htm

The Smart Hunters

Dolphins are one of the main attractions of any Sea World. Trained to jump through hoops and to do tricks. Those in the wild on the other hand have a different set of skills. Moving in packs dolphins they are very successful hunters, herding a school of fish and squeezing them into a cyclone of fish, then other dolphins start blowing bubbles under the now tight school of fish making them easier to pick off. There are around 40 species of dolphins and span from 4 feet to 30 feet. Humans love dolphins due to their intelligence and friendly behavior. 

The Maul dolphins are the smallest breed of these species. weighing around 50kg and growing up to 5 feet in length. There are only around 55 of these dolphins in the world today. The largest dolphin is the Killer Whale, about 28 feet long and weighs in around 3 tons. Unfortunately they are a very aggressive species that eat fish, seals and other mammals. 


















http://www.defenders.org/dolphin/basic-facts
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/killer-whale/
http://www.whalefacts.org/mauis-dolphin-facts/

Titans Of The Sea

In my opinion whales are the most majestic and beautiful creatures of the sea. They span anywhere from 9 feet to 100 feet depending on the whale. Most whales eat plankton, small fish, shrimp, squid and krill. Unlike most creatures in the ocean whales are classified as mammals. Male whales are called bulls and females are cows. Whales breath air like all mammals, which means they can't sleep with for too long or they will drown. Whales birth one calf after every mating season.

The smallest whale is the Dwarf Sperm Whale, it's an average of 9 feet long and can weigh around 400-600 pounds. This whale is being pushed to the brink of extinction but are making a comeback with an estimated population of 11,000. The largest whale is the Blue Whale, with an average length of 96 feet and weighs in at about 170 tons. An average age for one of these titans of the sea is about 100 years. Unfortunately for this gentle giant, its population is in danger due to constant poaching and habitat loss. 

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/whales/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/blue-whale/
http://www.whalefacts.org/dwarf-sperm-whale-facts/

Sharks cruise by

Sharks can smell blood from 400 meters away and never stop swimming, even while asleep they keep moving though the ocean. Most sharks swim an average of about 5 miles per hour. When feeding time comes around an average shark can reach up to speeds of 12 miles per hour making them a strong force to deal with. But don't let their sharp teeth and swift speed scare you, sharks never attack humans on purpose. They usually mistake humans for seals or other fish. 

There are more than 440 types of sharks in the ocean. The Bull Shark is by far one of the most dangerous predator in the water. With it's ability to swim in salt and fresh water. It also has a habit of eating anything in it's path. The biggest of these sharks are the Whale Sharks, which can grow up to 40 feet long. Not to fear though, Whale Sharks consume tiny fish. The Dwarf Lanternshark is the smallest of all sharks. Fitting comfortably in the palm of your hand and as an added bonus can glow in the dark. It's diet consists of small fish, shrimp and krill.

Dwarf Lanternshark

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/whale-shark/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/fish/bull-shark/
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/shark-week/lists/top-shark-facts.htm