What Makes It So Great?-Part II

Now I wanted to find out more about the types of animals that are actually found in the Great Barrier Reef...and I found out that there are a lot:

There are over 30 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises that live (or visit) the GBR. This includes Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, and of course my beloved Dugongs :D

Dwarf Minke Whale

There are over 200 species of birds, some that only exist in the area of the GBR, including White Breasted Sea Eagle and the Roseate Tern.

Roseate Tern

6 species of turtle call the GBR home including the Green Sea Turtle and the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Interesting fact about sea turtles is that the temperature of the sand in which they lay their eggs determines the sex of the baby turtle. Cooler sand produces male seas turtles and warmer sand produces female turtles.

Green Sea Turtle (Crush!)

There are about 17 species of Sea Snakes. These snakes come to the surface to breathe, but can stay underwater for up to 2 hours. These snakes have also evolved from land snakes.

Sea Snake in the GBR

Now of course there are over 1,500 species of fish that live in the GBR. These include Clown Fish (Nemo!), Coral Trout, and Seahorses.

Coral Trout

Now there are also over 5,000 species of Mollusks, 400 species of Coral, 60 species of Seagrass, and 500 species of Seaweed or Marine Algae.

Nudibranch, a type of Mollusk

WARNING: As I was going through different animals located in the GBR I also came across many warnings of what to watch out for in the GBR. Big ones included the Box Jellyfish, Stone Fish, Blue Ringed Octopus, and Stingrays. Some are more dangerous then others, but you should always know what you're getting into and be careful.

Box Jellyfish