Quirky Creatures Of The Ocean
Scientists say that life first began in the
oceans. Yet, so far, we have discovered
only 10% of the life in our oceans. Much
of it has the most bizarre, flummoxing
appearances and behaviours. Let's dive
into the oceans and explore some of these
quirky creatures.
Mudskippers
If
you happen to be on a mudflat during low tide, you may come across some lively
fish that leap, hop, somersault, walk on their fins and even balance on their
tail. They are mudskippers, fish that can live outside water until the tide
comes back in. Their bulging, globular eyes on top of their head make them look
comical. What's more, they fill their jowls with water to keep from getting
dehydrated, giving the impression of having their mouth full.
Puffer fish
In
rocky tidal pools, you may come across puffer fish, which on feeling
threatened, attempt at disguising themselves. They huff and puff and fill
themselves with water, turning into cute-looking balls, maybe to make
themselves look larger and 'fiercer' to other creatures. But the flipside is
that in this globular avatar, they become too clumsy to be able to swim. Only
when the water is pumped out can they move on. Most species of puffer fish are
toxic so don't ever try to touch them.
Octopuses
Octopuses
are masters at performing the disappearing act. They not only change their
colours to blend with their background, but even change their shape and skin
texture! What you think is a rock or a clump of algae or corals may turn out to
be a very clever octopus!
Seahorses
Seahorses
have the distinction of being the only ones amongst whom the papas give birth,
not the mamas! Pssst, here is the secret-the mama shoves her eggs into her male
partner's pouch as soon as she lays them! The papa dutifully looks after them
until they finally hatch, when he jerks them out of his pouch.
Parrotfish
Swim
up close to a coral reef and you may get to see the very attractive
bluish-green parrotfish, which have a mouth that looks like a parrot's beak.
They use it to bite off chunks of coral to get at the algae living inside the
little polyps that make up the coral colony. A surprise awaits you when it's
bedtime for them. That's when they secrete a blanket of slime all over
themselves-not to feel cosy but to prevent their body odour from seeping out
and attracting foraging moray eels!
Otters
If
you happen to come across otters while you are out exploring the quirky
creatures of the watery world, don't be surprised if you see them floating
lazily on their back, holding onto their partner's hand to make sure the waves
do not separate them while they are dozing. Their favourite foods are crabs and
clams. They break open the hard shells of these creatures to get at the soft
flesh within by placing them on their chest and smashing them with rocks! They
have a collection of small rocks in pouches in their armpits!
Anglerfish
Have
you heard of fish that fish for other fish in the deeper ocean realms? That's
anglerfish for you! A spine on their head is modified into a kind of fishing rod,
complete with a luminous tassel to act as bait. Small fish that get attracted
by the shining tassel are gulped down in a trice!
Firefly Squid
In
the deeper depths of the ocean, sunlight cannot penetrate. Here in the twilight
zone, you come across fish giving off their own bioluminescent light. It's the
firefly squid.
Deep Sea Gulpers
Further on, in the dark recesses of the
deep ocean depths, you may come across
these fish, which normally look like they
are just tails! But they can expand their
stomach to three times their size to gulp
down much larger fish when needed.
