A list of some truly unbelievable facts about our oceans and the weird and wonderful creatures that call them home. In a slight change to the normal type of articles we produce, this post is simply a collection of some of our favourite facts about our oceans and marine life. It is by no means … More 50 mind-blowing facts about our oceans & marine life
A new paper has suggested that a symbiotic relationship with magnetotactic bacteria, capable of sensing the Earth’s magnetic field, may be behind the incredible navigational skills of marine animals including penguins, turtles and whales. So is this what is going on? Or is it too soon to tell? Since the invention and advancement of satellite … More Are bacteria responsible for the magnetic ‘sixth sense’ of marine animals?
New research into the social lives of juvenile bottlenose dolphins has revealed choices involving friendships and activities can help prepare individuals for later life, especially with regards to their defined gender roles. Bottlenose dolphins are often regarded as one of the most intelligent and social animals behind humans, with fantastic problem solving abilities, large groups … More Social lives of juvenile dolphins prepare them for adulthood
Written by Miranda S. Altice The adrenaline is still pulsing through my veins, making my hands tremble and my heart pound. A perma-grin is smeared on my face, “Probably for forever,” I had said earlier. Thinking back from just an hour before, I can still feel Evergreen’s smooth, scaley flipper flapping relentlessly against my arms… … More Return to the big blue: a sea turtle’s release from rehab
Recent discoveries across Japan, USA and Canada have uncovered the fossilized remains of massive ancient birds, very similar to the giant penguins that used to live in New Zealand. Research into these specimens has now also revealed why these massive seabirds began to swim instead of fly. There are perhaps no group of animals that … More Ancient ‘giant penguins’ discovered in the northern hemisphere
‘This book takes an unflinching look at the issues affecting our oceans’ – National Geographic Dr Alex Rogers is a world-renowned marine biologist with over 30 years’ experience in deep-sea exploration. He is the director of science at REV Ocean, a professor in conservation biology at Oxford University and was also a scientific advisor for … More Book club: ‘The Deep’ by Alex Rogers
Researchers from Germany have discovered deep-sea microbes that can convert ethane and methane, the main components of natural gas, into CO2 and other by-products. In addition to this the process seems to be reversible and they can turn the greenhouse gas back into fuel. Unlike animals, that can only eat fats, carbohydrates and proteins, microbial … More Newly discovered deep sea microbes can turn CO2 back into fuel
A new study from Cambridge University researchers has revealed that cuttlefish will eat less crab during the daytime, if there is the promise of the superior tasting shrimp in the evening. This level of decision making and planning is a sign of their often underestimated intelligence. If you’ve ever planned to go out to your … More Saving room for shrimp: intelligent meal selection in cuttlefish
Written by Janey Sellars The media presents a huge platform of which to relay information in a way that influences the way people perceive things. Since the 21st century, technology and online databases have developed significantly and the global media is expanding as a result, reaching more people than ever before. Human perceptions, values and … More Friends or foes? The media’s portrayal of sharks & the influence on human perspectives
Ever since video footage of ‘intoxicated’ adolescent dolphins chewing together on poisonous pufferfish was released in 2014, there has been longstanding belief that that this was evidence of recreational drug use. But were we reading too much into it? Whilst you may think of recreational drug use as a very human concept, it turns … More Pass the puffer: do teenage dolphins chew on toxic fish to get high?
Marine Madness 