Oceanic | Marine Animals
The oceanic biome is by far the largest biome on Earth with 70% of the Earth being covered by the ocean. It is estimated that 1 million species live in the ocean, with most of those, about 95%, being invertebrates, like jellyfish and shrimp. There are also a few mammals, like Dolphins and Sea Lions, that live in the ocean with the largest being the Blue Whale. Although the ocean is one continuous body water, there are five different oceans: the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Antarctic, and Arctic. Being such a vast biome, it is believed that only about 5% of the ocean has been explored—leaving many more species of plants and animals undiscovered.
Factors that marine animals need to survive include bioluminescence which is when animals make their own light and helps them communicate and scare predators. Constant light, pressure, temperature, and food are factors needed to remain stable and help marine animals evolve to survive. Marine animals that live within the deep sea can withstand the cold.
Humans need to protect marine life because our actions and lifestyles have a direct impact on the ocean. We need to protect marine life and provide a safe and healthy environment that is not impacted by overfishing, climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, invasive species, and other forms of human exploitation.
The most common animal in the ocean is the bristlemouth which is a vertebrate, an animal with a backbone. The bristlemouth is a tiny fish that can glow in the dark and has fangs that resemble needles. Bristlemouths are part of the 1 million species of animals that live in the ocean.
