In a never-before-seen phenomenon, a fish commandeered the body of a
jellyfish for protection. Although it is common for fish to swim through
jellyfish tentacles to avoid predators, this particular defense
mechanism has never been seen before.
“I
came across this fish (presumably a juvenile trevally) while snorkeling
along Double Reef on Guam in 2013. The fish swam in and out of the
crown of the jellyfish multiple times over the course of several
minutes. The fish was able to steer the jellyfish as it swam inside,
often turning away from me as I followed. It has been postulated that
the fish is using the jellyfish as a shield to protect itself as it
swims in open waters.”
Humpback whales use a special hunting technique known as bubble net
feeding. Whales, either individually or in a group, swim in a shrinking
circle, blowing bubbles below a
school of prey. The shrinking ring of bubbles encircles the school and
confines it in an ever-smaller cylinder. The fish trapped in the middle
of the bubble net are then eaten in one go as whales rise from below
with an open mouth. Pictures by Wayne Davis and Christin Kahn.
The Bajau
of southeast Asia are a nomadic, Indigenous population of people who
are primarily seaborne – meaning that they live their entire lives, from
birth to death, on the open water, venturing onto land only rarely to
sell or trade their wares. Traditionally from the Philippines, they see
themselves as a non-aggressive people, and keep close to the water by
building their houses on stilts and traveling mainly by boat. Bajau are
particularly noted for their skill in free-diving, which can be in
excess of five hours per day while they hunt for fish and valuables like
pearls and coins. A small minority of Bajau even choose to
intentionally puncture their eardrums at a young age in order to
facilitate diving.
Unlike many of the neighboring populations, Bajau are egalitarian, highly individualistic, and do not practice a caste system. (Source)
A brinicle, also commonly known as “ice stalactite” forms under
the sea ice when a flow of cold water is introduced to ocean water. It
is known as an ice stalactite because it is the undersea equivalent of a
hollow stalactite. It freezes everything it touches, including sea
creatures.
Scientists have released the first audio recordings taken from the deepest point on Earth’s surface, Challenger Deep, at the bottom of the Mariana Trench.
Filled with strange moans, low rumbles, and the occasional
high-pitched screech, the soundbites below shed rare light on the dark
world that lies 10.9 km (6.7 miles) below the crushing weight of the
Pacific Ocean… and they’re somehow both haunting and beautiful at the
same time.
On the whole, we know very little about what goes on inside the
Mariana Trench, located at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean around 322 km
(200 miles) southwest of Guam, mostly because it’s so difficult for us
to get to.
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