Marine & Freshwater Environmental Education
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Getting to know three … Echinoderm edition
Sure you know that some animals are related to one another. Often though it’s difficult to pinpoint their similarities. Well, on the third day of every month I am going to explain three features that are common among the animals of a certain group. Each group generally has more than three representatives, but I am […]
How do fish float?
Bony fish have a swim bladder, a gas filled sac. The swim bladder originates as part of the belly. The swim bladder aids in creating an equilibrium with what is going on inside the fish and the surrounding water. Some fish have a bladder that is part of the respiratory system, called an air bladder. […]
What is the biggest fish in the sea?
The whale shark is the biggest fish on the planet. The largest whale shark measures about 66 feet long and 74,957 pounds. Not to be confused with the blue whale, a mammal, which is the largest animal on the planet. The largest blue whale measured about 110 feet and up to 400,000 pounds! The whale […]
Carnival of the Blue #44 – December 30 deadline
Hey there! We have some very exciting updates for you today. First of all, I want to say that November was a slow month for posts since I was busy taking care of a little newborn. The next generation of Beach Chair Scientist was born November 3. All are happy and healthy. Secondly, can you […]
North Carolina: The mecca for marine science?
We all know North Carolina has research triangle between Raleigh-Durham and incorporates Chapel Hill. But, did you know that there is a marine science research quadrant in the state as well. First, you have the Division of Marine Fisheries in Morehead City (as well as the Duke and NOAA labs in nearby Beaufort). Next, in […]
What is a Marine Protected Area (MPA)?
“A marine protected area (MPA) in the ocean is similar in concept to what a national park is on the terrestrial environment.” Shifting Baselines There are many terms that mean ‘MPA’, including: sanctuaries, parks, preserves, or natural areas. All of these areas have some boundary in the oceans and are protected by either the Department […]
5 fun facts about seahorses
The female lays her eggs in the male’s tummy pouch, he then incubates them for about 30 days, then they hatch. Seahorses do not have a stomach; they eat constantly to help get enough food to digest. Seahorses do not have teeth; they have a fused jaws, so they kind of suck up their food […]
15 facts about sharks
1.) Sharks are divided into 8 orders. 2.) Sharks are again divided into 34 families. 3.) There are over 360 shark species. 4.) The largest meat eating shark is the great white shark (37 feet). 5.) The largest shark is the whale shark (and largest fish overall), a filter feeder. 6.) The second largest shark […]
Do sharks really never stop moving?
In order to breathe sharks have to keep moving. They have to engulf water to extract the oxygen in the water and then the rest of the water filters out of their gills. If the water current is very strong they can stay still. Do you have another great question? Check out www.beachchairscientist.com and enter […]
How to say “I love you” with friends from the sea
Top to bottom: Octopus; Whale; Cuttlefish; Otters
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- Robert Emahiser on Why you should never walk on dunes
- Lesa on 10 brief facts on bioluminescence
- Lisa on Limulus Love
- Beach Chair Scientist on 17 facts about the wee sea potatoes
- Bernard Rejterada on 17 facts about the wee sea potatoes
- Brian on What is the difference between a summer and winter flounder?
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- Donnie Huckabee on Wordless Wednesday | Shell art
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- ItzJaylaD on What I know about whale sharks
Top posts & pages from BCS …
- Hurricane vs. Cyclone vs. Typhoon
- A House for Hermit Crab
- How to handle a horseshoe crab
- Snot's your house
- Wednesday Wisdom: Various quotes (Alaska scenes)
- A naturalist's must-see destination: Fossil Hunting at Bayfront State Park in Chesapeake Beach, MD
- Belly biology creates lasting memories
- Five awful puns about courtship in the sea
- Horseshoe crabs confirmed as members of arachnid family
- Beyond the bag: Other plastics being banned
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