The Coral Reefs

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Oceans and reefs are some of our planet's most vibrant attractions.

In the Northern Red Sea, there appears to be a vast region of exceptionally hardy reefs which survive temperatures far exceeding present-day norms. In this reef system, we can learn lessons that can help protect other reefs. This area of the Ocean needs to be protected !

Sometimes called the "Rainforests of the Sea", shallow coral reefs form some of the Earth's most diverse ecosystems. These "Rainforests" provide a home for at least 25% of all marine species (including fish, mollusks, crustaceans and sponges).

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !  

The SeaHorse

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Seahorses prefer to swim in pairs with their tails linked together.

# seahorses feed constantly on plankton and tiny fish

# the seahorse moves each eye independently, so that it can follow the activity of passing sea life without giving it's presence away

# there are about 40 known species of seahorse

# these sea creatures swim upright and avoid predators by mimicking the colour of underwater plants

# seahorses propel themselves by using a small fin on their back that flutters up to 35 times per second. Even smaller pectoral fins located near the back of the head are used for steering

# seahorses are monogamous and mate for life.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

The Fish Of The Oceans

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Ocean fishes come in all shapes and sizes and colours and live in different depths and temperatures.

# the most common fish is any of the species of a deepwater fish called the "Bristle Mouth." This fish is about the size of a small minnow. It can be caught at 500m or deeper all over the world.

# the largest 'fish' is the "Whale Shark", which grows more than 50 feet long and weighs several tons.

# the smallest fish is the "Tiny Goby" which lives in the Philippines. It rarely grows longer than half an inch at adulthood.

# Fish breather oxygen, not air. Their gills contain a network of fine blood vessels that diffuse the oxygen throughout the fish's membranes.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

Sharks

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Sharks are amazing ocean predators, and they are some of the most Powerful creatures in the sea.

There are more than 1,000 species of sharks and rays, with new species discovered every year.

These majestic predators are essential to the natural order of marine ecosystems.

Sharks are found in all five of the Earth's oceans :

the Atlantic

Pacific

Indian

Arctic

Southern.

Basking sharks (the second biggest fish in the world) travels with family to familiar feeding sites.

The Lemon Sharks have personalities, they make friends, use body language and learn tricks.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

The Eagle

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The Golden Eagle

# is the top predator in the Scottish countryside

# it is a massive bird of prey that hunts mainly on rabbits and mountain hares, also foxes and birds like grouse

# this eagle can be seen soaring high in the sky in upland areas and remote glens in the north and west of Scotland

# Golden Eagles pair for life

The White-Tailed Eagle

# it is our largest bird of prey

# it is found on the Isle of Mull and off the west coast of Scotland

# this is also known as the "Sea Eagle", and it preys on fish, mammals and small birds

# both parents tend to the one or two chicks that hatch each year.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

Penguins

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Penguins are birds which have 'flippers' instead of wings.

Penguins are a family of 17 to 19 species of bird that live primarily in the Southern Hemisphere. They include the tiny blur penguins of Australia and New Zealand, the majestic emperor penguins of Antarctica and the king penguins found on many sub-Antarctic islands.

These 'birds' cannot fly and 'waddle' on land, though they can slide on their bellies on snow. Penguins are Expert swimmers and divers, and some species can reach speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.

The penguins distinctive colouring --- black body with white belly --- helps camouflage the bird in the water as it searches for meals of small shrimp, fish, crabs and squid.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !

The Giraffe

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The Giraffe is the tallest mammal on Earth, even a newborn is taller than most humans.

Their tongues are bluish-purple and between 45-50cm long. Their feet are the size of a dinner plate with a diameter of 30cm.

The female Giraffe gives birth standing up. The young fall about 2m to the ground and can stand up within an hour of birth.

A Giraffe's heart weighs (approx.) 11kgs and is the biggest of any land mammal. It is used to pump 60 litres of blood around its body every minute at a blood pressure twice that of an average human.

LIVE AND LOVE LIFE !