
Recently, there have been two Earth Research Contests. One was about Platypus and the other about the Bermuda Triangle. What do these two things have in common? The Ocean. So, I thought I would create a little quest.
Below is some information about some animals that call the Atlantic Ocean home. See if you can name them. Please make sure to place your username in the comment that you post. Winners will receive a prize.
1. In volume, it's the largest existing animal. In Latin, it's name can means "muscular" or "little mouse", but there is nothing little about this animal!
2. This animal is a carnivore and closely related to the porpoise. The critter has very sensitive ears, hearing frequencies 10 times above human hearing. A playful animal, it loves to dance and entertain others. In order to avoid danger, the animal must swim continuously and only sleep for 4 to 60 seconds at a time.
3. These North Atlantic animals are often times mistakenly called penguins. They have cute little clown-like faces. They can dive up to 196 feet (60 meters) to catch fish to eat. They can fly up to 30 feet (10 meters) above the Ocean.
4. These sea animals can change colors like a chameleon. When in danger, they can squirt clouds of ink. Ancient mariners thought these animals were sea monsters.
5. Often times confused with seals or sea lions, these animals are mammals that eat plants in the ocean, and seldom are seen on land. Located in the Caribbean and mid Atlantic area, these animals are very slow swimmers, and completely herbivorous. Their "sea cow" cousins lived in the Pacific Ocean, but are extinct now.
Enjoy learning about these Atlantic Ocean natives.
--Puffles