#tropical oceans
Tropical Oceans// Eocene (~30 million years ago) // Cetacea //image source
When fossils of Basilosaurus were first discovered, it was thought to have been a marine reptile, hence its name meaning King’s Lizard. It was later correctly classified as an early whale.
Tropical Oceans//Vulnerable//Chondrichthyes//image source
Sharks and rays are closely related. The aptly named shark ray looks like a combination of both, but it is a large species of ray, growing to nearly 10 feet long. Like many other sharks and rays, it is dying out as a result of overfishing.
Tropic Oceans//Conservation Status Unknown//Mollusca//image source
Fun Fact: Only female blanket octopi have the eponymous “blankets”, which are used to make themselves appear larger and more intimidating to predators. The much smaller males rip the tentacles off of jellyfish to defend themselves from predators.
Galapagos Islands (endemic)//Vulnerable//Squamata//image source
Fun Fact: Marine iguanas can dive up to 30 feet deep. They are the only lizards to spend much of their time in the ocean.
Indian & Pacific Oceans//Conservation Status Unknown//Bony Fish//image source
Fun Fact: Garden eels feed on passing plankton. It is very rare for one to completely leave its burrow.
