For our last field experience, we went snorkeling in Monterey Bay and had a blast. We enjoyed great weather and explored the kelp forest and the rocky bottom areas near San Carlos beach. My favorite part of snorkeling is seeing all the incredible creatures that live near our coast. Here are just a few of my favorites that we encountered during our swim.
[Originally posted to MBA Student Oceanography Club (SOC)]
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Brown Turban Snail: These little guys live in a
world of algae. We found them cruising along in the kelp (giant brown
algae) where they eat microscopic algae growing on the kelp’s surface.
As though that weren’t already enough algae in its life, the color of
the snail in this photo comes from red algae that cover its shell.
Learn more about them at: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?id=781029 |
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Bat Star: Bat stars come in a lot of different
colors, and are always fun to spot. We saw lots of them cruising the
sandy bottom, where they act as nature’s vacuum cleaners, scavenging
algae and dead animals it finds along the way. Learn more about them
at: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=n3f4wm... |
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Sheep Crab: Sheep crabs are in the spider crab
family, and can grow quite large. We found this sizable fellow ambling
over rocks not far from shore. Crabs this size can inflict a serious
pinch, so I was sure to keep my fingers clear while I snapped this
photo. Learn more about them at: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=VsGX+L... |
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Sunflower Star: The giant sunflower star is one of
the kelp forest’s top predators, and the hordes of tube feet under its
many arms allow it to move quickly, often sending its prey scrambling
for cover. We found this one in the open on the side of a large rock,
but within minutes it had squeezed itself into a crevice where it was
barely visible. Learn more about them at: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=VsGX+L... |
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Opalescent Nudibranch: I found this beautiful sea
slug crawling among the algae-covered rocks, where it was undoubtedly
looking for hydroids or small anemones to eat. The opalescent
nudibranch is capable of transferring the stinging cells of its pretty
to its own skin – a formidable defense that it advertises with is bright
colors. Learn more about them at: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/AnimalDetails |
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