I haven't posted a dugong photo in awhile...Enjoy!
Showing posts with label Dugongs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dugongs. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
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
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 WhaleThere 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 Tern6 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 GBRNow 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 TroutNow 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 MolluskWARNING: 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 JellyfishWednesday, January 21, 2009
What Makes It So Great?
Now I'm sure everyone has at least seen a picture of the Great Barrier Reef at some point, but what do you really know? After doing some reading I found out I didn't really know that much...
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. (But I'm sure could have guessed that because really how many other coral reef systems can you name?) What I didn't know though is that you can see the Great Barrier Reef from space...wow. It is the largest structure made by living organisms.
View of the Reef from space!
An adorable dugong!
At some point in my life I really wanted to be a marine biologist, so I did a lot of reading and looking at pictures of sea life. This is something I would love to get the chance to finally see in person.
The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world. (But I'm sure could have guessed that because really how many other coral reef systems can you name?) What I didn't know though is that you can see the Great Barrier Reef from space...wow. It is the largest structure made by living organisms.
View of the Reef from space!What really interests me personally in the reef are the animals. There are actually species of animals that only live in the Great Barrier Reef and no where else on Earth. There are also several endangered species located in the reef as well. This includes 6 out of the 7 kinds of endangered sea turtle, the largest mammal the blue whale and dugongs. Dugongs are a kind of sea cow that closely related to elephants. (I find them to be so cute)
An adorable dugong!At some point in my life I really wanted to be a marine biologist, so I did a lot of reading and looking at pictures of sea life. This is something I would love to get the chance to finally see in person.
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