I figured I would start this thread which can be an ongoing thread.
I'm doing some training as a volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium and I'm going through training for both the interpretive side as well as for diving. I'm learning a few facts about our local creatures that I didn't already know.
Sea Cucumbers such as the California Sea Cucumber can inflate themselves somewhat as a defense mechanism and I've seen this happen but what I didn't know is that if they are really fearful of being eaten by a predator they can shoot their "guts" out through the end of their body. This is a last ditch effort to give the predictor something to applease them and give the Sea Cucumber a chance to crawl away. They can regenerate their "guts" but it takes a while and some may starve before this happens.
I found this interesting and had never heard of this before.
Pacific NW Creatures
Started by
gcbryan
, Nov 03 2006 04:00 PM
7 replies to this topic
#1
gcbryan
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Posted 03 November 2006 - 04:00 PM
#2
Dive_Girl
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Posted 03 November 2006 - 05:55 PM
Then you haven't read our World Aquarium Creature Feature - Cool Trivia thread... 
CREATURE FEATURE 2
Name this sea creature:
When trying to escape a predator, this particular creature can eject its internal digestive organs (think wet spaghetti noodles) in order to distract and confuse the attacker while making its get-away. Once safe, the creature begins the process of regrowing the organs. Many varieties of species related to this creature are found in both warm and cold salt water. Gives new meaning to "puking your guts out" - now doesn't it...
This is actually an example of critter behavior I give to students for why they shouldn't touch sea life!
Can't wait to hear more Gray!!I figured I would start this thread which can be an ongoing thread.
I'm doing some training as a volunteer for the Seattle Aquarium and I'm going through training for both the interpretive side as well as for diving. I'm learning a few facts about our local creatures that I didn't already know.
It's Winter time - you know you're a diver when you're scraping ice off your windshield INSIDE your vehicle...!
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#3
gcbryan
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Posted 04 November 2006 - 06:09 AM
You got me! Ok, I guess I haven't read them all! Let's just say that this is the thread that doesn't require one to guess the answer and it will only be about PNW creatures. 
Everyone feel free to contribute.
There is an interesting exhibit at the Aquarium where they have cut a window into the egg case (Mermaid's Purse) for a Big Skate. You can see 3 little Skates wiggling around inside and each one is attached to it's own yolk ball. They will be in there for almost a year.
Everyone feel free to contribute.
There is an interesting exhibit at the Aquarium where they have cut a window into the egg case (Mermaid's Purse) for a Big Skate. You can see 3 little Skates wiggling around inside and each one is attached to it's own yolk ball. They will be in there for almost a year.
Edited by gcbryan, 09 November 2006 - 03:45 AM.
#4
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Posted 10 November 2006 - 07:01 PM
There is a Rockfish that is in PNW waters called a Bocaccio that I'd never seen out diving before. I'm curious if any of you other PNW divers have ever seen one? Nicolle?
#5
Dive_Girl
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Posted 13 November 2006 - 03:34 PM
Not that I can recall.There is a Rockfish that is in PNW waters called a Bocaccio that I'd never seen out diving before. I'm curious if any of you other PNW divers have ever seen one? Nicolle?
It's Winter time - you know you're a diver when you're scraping ice off your windshield INSIDE your vehicle...!
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#6
Janna
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Posted 20 November 2006 - 01:19 PM
Gray, I've seen them only twice now, and both times in Barkley Sound BC area. Here's a pic!!
They're neat rockfish with a very underslung jaw. At the beginning of October I saw oodles of them right off the dock at Rendezvous Lodge. They were teenogres. Previously I had only seen one of them. And NEVER have I seen any in Washington waters. They used to be around apparently, but have been overfished (like pretty much everything else)
- Janna
They're neat rockfish with a very underslung jaw. At the beginning of October I saw oodles of them right off the dock at Rendezvous Lodge. They were teenogres. Previously I had only seen one of them. And NEVER have I seen any in Washington waters. They used to be around apparently, but have been overfished (like pretty much everything else)
- Janna
#7
Dive_Girl
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- Logged Dives:too many logged, too many not logged...:)
Posted 20 November 2006 - 01:21 PM
JANNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Gray, I've seen them only twice now, and both times in Barkley Sound BC area. Here's a pic!!
They're neat rockfish with a very underslung jaw. At the beginning of October I saw oodles of them right off the dock at Rendezvous Lodge. They were teenogres. Previously I had only seen one of them. And NEVER have I seen any in Washington waters. They used to be around apparently, but have been overfished (like pretty much everything else)
- Janna
It's Winter time - you know you're a diver when you're scraping ice off your windshield INSIDE your vehicle...!
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
Once in a while, it is good to step back, take a breath, and remember to be humble. You'll never know it all - ScubaDadMiami. If you aren't afraid of dying, there is nothing you can't achieve - Lao-tzu. One dog barks at something, the rest bark at him - Chinese Proverb.
#8
gcbryan
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Posted 21 November 2006 - 03:35 PM
They're neat rockfish with a very underslung jaw. At the beginning of October I saw oodles of them right off the dock at Rendezvous Lodge. They were teenogres. Previously I had only seen one of them. And NEVER have I seen any in Washington waters. They used to be around apparently, but have been overfished (like pretty much everything else)
- Janna
Hi Janna,
Nice pic. I haven't seen any in Washington waters but the one in the Aquarium came from our outer coast as well as a Widow Rockfish and a Splitnose Rockfish. I've never encountered those either.
Edited by gcbryan, 21 November 2006 - 03:36 PM.
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