Marine animals are creatures that live in the ocean. With the oceans covering almost two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, you can imagine the abundance of creatures that live inside them. From the beautiful coral reefs to the largest mammals on the Earth, they include some of the unusual, the most beautiful and many yet-to-be-discovered creatures of the world. This book tells you about these creatures that live in water. Marine animals are comprised of many groups of creatures such as:
• Fish–They are cold-blooded, have backbones, fins and gills. More than 32,000 different species are found. These include sharks, rayfish, etc.
•Molluscs–They are invertebrates such as squids, octopuses and cuttlefish.
•Crustaceans–They are creatures with exoskeletons and include crabs, lobsters, shrimps, krills and barnacles.
•Plankton–These are microscopic organisms that cannot swim and drift with the ocean current. Algae, bacteria and protists are some examples.
•Mammals–They are warm-blooded creatures that breathe air and include whales, dolphins, seals, etc.
More than 2,30,000 species of animals are found in the sea and many more are yet to be discovered.
How do we remember all these thousands of marine animals?
Well, we can’t; but it doesn’t hurt to try! So, we begin by a process scientists and naturalists (people who study nature) call ‘classification’. This means we build categories in which we place marine animals, based on some common or similar traits they share.
So, this is how we do it:
•Kingdom
•Phylum
•Class
How to Read this Book
Name of animal : Red-lipped batfish
Names you and I can easily remember!
Common name : Galapagos Batfish
Native to :South-East Pacific Oceans Region where it is found
Scientific name : Ogcocephalus darwini; Name referred to by scientists and naturalists
Interesting fact : The lure on its head secretes a chemical that attracts the prey.
A fun fact for you to remember
Family :Ogcocephalidae; Like a unique surname
Conservation status :Least Concern; Tells you whether the animal is facing a risk to life or not
Why is it important for you to read this book?
The Earth is teeming with life, as it has for millennia; however, look around you. Do you see dinosaurs and sloths? No! They are extinct and all we can do is imagine how they must have been when they were alive, based on their fossils and bones. Unfortunately, a number of marine animals you will read about in this book, are critically threatened or endangered; some are vulnerable. Who can help them survive? You can! How will you know which animal needs your help? Read the book!
Why should we save marine animals?
There is a fine balance of life on Earth; sadly, man’s greed has upset this balance; we have cut more forests than Nature can afford; we have destroyed precious animal habitat shamefully, not mindful that we have left exposed and homeless hundreds of helpless creatures!
Can you really help animals stay alive and healthy?
Yes! Some of you, after reading this book, may choose to become zoologists, biologists, naturalists and scientists- your studies and research may contribute valuable information to the human race to save marine animals such as the Baleen Whale or the Giant Catfish! And yes, you could bring back the balance in favour of Mother Nature!
