Today's Catch

Jul 13, 2012

Veined Octopus at Anilao Batangas Pier, Philippines

The veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus), also known as the coconut octopus, has a skill beyond other cephalopods: it hides under animal and coconut shell, which it drags along the seafloor for protection. This is one of the few examples -- if not the only example -- of tool use in invertebrates. Here, the octopus sits inside a vacant bivalve shell.

Camouflage, Cephalopods, Nature's Best, Octopuses, Photography

CREDIT:
Jeffrey de Guzman/Nature’s Best Photography
Jul 12, 2012

Giant Squid Sucker Marks

Many sperm whales stranded on beaches or caught by whalers exhibit telltale circular scars like these. Only one thing could have made them: the strong suckers that line the giant squid’s eight arms and two long feeding tentacles. Older sperm whales have so many scars that they overlap each other. Learn more about the over-sized anatomy of the giant squid in this video with Smithsonian scientist Dr. Clyde Roper.

Anatomy, Predation, Smithsonian scientists, Squids, Whales

CREDIT:
In Smithsonian Report 1916
Jul 9, 2012

Anemonefish in their Host Anemone

Two bright orange anemonefish (Amphiprion ocellaris) poke their heads between anemone tentacles. Anemonefish are able to swim amongst the stinging tentacles without getting stung -- but no one knows exactly sure how. One dominant theory explains that they have a protective slime coating their bodies. However, anemonefish are not born with this protective slime and scientists don't know how they develop it.

Anemones, Cnidarians, Commensalism, Defenses

CREDIT:
Flickr user Jenny Huang (JennyHuang)/EOL
Jul 5, 2012

Adult Swimming Crab

When they get larger, Portunus sayi are formidable predators- quick to consume any smaller animal that comes within reach. Fish, other crustaceans, and even smaller members of their own species are not safe from this hungry sargassum swimming crab.

Coasts, Crabs, Crustaceans, Seaweed, Smithsonian scientists

CREDIT:
Seabird McKeon
Jul 3, 2012

Accidental Catch

An albatross drowned after being accidentally caught on a longline near Brazil. Marine birds are among the species that can become bycatch. Watch a video about how scientists and fishermen are trying methods to reduce bycatch.

Fisheries

CREDIT:
Projeto Tamar Brazil/Marine Photobank
Jun 28, 2012

Adélie Penguins, Paulet Island, Antarctica

“As we motored around Paulet Island in a Zodiac boat, these two curious penguins waddled across an iceberg to get a closer look at us.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Phillip Colla.

See more beautiful ocean photos in our slideshow of winners from the 2010 Nature's Best Ocean Views photo contest.

Antarctic, Penguins, Polar regions

CREDIT:
Phillip Colla/Nature’s Best Photography
Jun 22, 2012

Blue Cod Amongst Sea Pens

A blue cod and sea pens, a unique type of cnidarian, speckle the seafloor in New Zealand's Fiordland region.You can see more beautiful underwater photos from Brian Skerry in his image gallery.

Brian Skerry, Cnidarians, Underwater photography

CREDIT:
© Brian Skerry, www.brianskerry.com
Jun 20, 2012

A Shortnose Greeneye Fish Aglow

Under white light, this shortnose greeneye fish (Chlorophthalmus agassizi) looks unimpressive. But, in dim blue light—the type usually seen at depth—it shows its true fluorescent colors.

NOAA scientists collected this specimen during a 2004 expedition for optical studies. The scientists believe the green flouresence of the fish’s eye lenses help it detect prey better in dimly lit water.

Bioluminescence, NOAA, Senses

CREDIT:
Image Courtesy Edie Widder
Jun 18, 2012

Arctic Sea Jelly

Chrysaora melanaster, one of the largest jellyfish commonly found in the Arctic, swims underneath the Arctic ice. Its tentacles can stretch to more than 3 meters long and pack a mean sting for humans.

Arctic, Jellyfish, NOAA, Underwater photography

CREDIT:
K. Raskoff, Monterey Peninsula College, Arctic Exploration 2002, NOAA
Jun 12, 2012

Deepsea Lizardfish

This lizardfish (Bathysaurus ferox) rests on the ocean bottom with its head slightly elevated—waiting to snatch prey with its large mouth and sharp teeth. It lives at depths of 600-3,500 meters (1,969-11,483 feet) and grows up to 64 centimeters (25.2 inches) long.

Adaptations, Predation

CREDIT:
© David Shale