I love that when you hug an animal and they’re clearly uncomfortable, they’re still polite enough to let you hug them. It’s the animal equivalent of letting someone kiss your hand instead of shaking it.
For such a common animal (and food item) shrimps are beautiful creatures that keep reefs free from debris. Their eyes are specialized for low light and to be able to detect threats from all directions - photo taken in Thailand
The oldest Giant Barrel Sponges studied have been estimated to be over two thousand years old. Sponges in general have been around for over 500 million years, predating all terrestrial plant life. They filter and purify a tremendous amount of sea water, as well as provide habitat for smaller animals to live on and in. A healthy number of sponges is integral to the health and survival of coral reefs. Because of their long lifespans and role in the ecology of reefs, some consider them the to be the Redwood trees of the ocean - photo taken at Shadow Reef, Misool, Halmahera Sea
The Winged Nudibranch is a tiny little sea slug that is able to flap its way through the water like a drunken butterfly in slow motion. They can be found in the temperate waters of the Pacific from Alaska to the Sea of Cortez - photo taken at Seattle, Washington
