Creature Feature #448: Manta Ray

The Manta Ray are two species of large oceanic ray, with this Giant Oceanic Manta Ray reaching 7 m in width. She inhabits subtropical and tropical waters and is a filter feeder, swallowing large quantities of zooplankton. She circles her prey, herding it into a tight group before swimming through, swallowing great mouthfuls.  Her front cephalic fins - extensions of her pectoral fins - flare out to channel water, and therefore prey, towards her gaping mouth. She is always in motion, requiring the movement of water across her gills for respiration. Fertilisation is internal, and the egg hatches within the mother's oviduct and the pup receiving nutrition from a milky secretion. It is birthed some 12-13 months after mating.

Both species are classified as Vulnerable and are affected by fishing, pollution and climate change.

Creature Feature #414: Leatherback Turtle

The Christmas "silly season" must be getting to my brain - I've been so busy drawing these Animal-a-Day critters, I've forgotten to actually upload them! No, wait, this blog is actually set to Pacific Standard Time. I didn't forget on saturday - just yesterday!

The Leatherback Turtle is the largest living turtle - specimens have been found up to 3 metres long. Unlike other turtles, she lacks a bony carapace; hers is instead covered in skin and oily flesh. She is extremely hydrodynamic, using her long flippers to propel herself through the open ocean. In this manner she is capable of reaching speeds up to 35 km/hr. The adult Leatherback feeds almost entirely on jellyfish, although other soft-bodied sea creatures - such as squids - are sometimes taken. Unfortunately, a plastic bag floating in the ocean can resemble prey, and up to a third of Leatherbacks are thought to have ingested plastic. This can obstruct her digestive system or remain in her gut, undigested which inhibits her feeding, and thus her growth and rate of maturity.

She is Vulnerable to extinction.

Creature Feature #14: Anemone

Sea anemones are an Order of  polyp that make their home on the sea bed. They use their tentacles to hunt for prey, specifically small fish that draw too close. They have formed a symbiotic relationship with Clownfish, who use their tentacles as their refuge and do not get eaten.

There are numerous different species of anemone.