Copy of LAGUNA MARINE WILDLIFE

 

Laguna Marine Wildlife 2023 project celebrates the dazzling and diverse wildlife inhabiting the Pacific Ocean around Laguna Beach, California. The project raises awareness of vulnerable marine species and funds for marine conservation organisations. The project also encourages participants and the wider global community to protect our oceans through taking simple positive actions like those listed in our How You Can Protect Marine Wildlife PDF below. 

Led by artist and Founder of Drawing for the Planet (DftP), Jane Lee McCracken, Laguna Marine Wildlife project in partnership with the Laguna Art Museum (LAM) and the Coast Film & Music Festival (CFMF), invites local Californian schools and the community to attend Jane’s on site and virtual art and environmental education workshops to learn about and create ballpoint pen drawings of marine species.

UK and Hawaiian schools are also invited to participate to raise further awareness of marine wildlife. A selection of drawings by children and adults will feature in Jane's Laguna Marine Wildlife artwork to be created after the workshops are completed in September 2023.

California Sheephead drawing created by Dakota at CFMF workshop, 2022

DftP is actively seeking a public space in Laguna Beach to instal a permanent mural of Jane’s artwork. The mural will also be projected in LAM's the LAB and displayed as a large format print at CFMF during the city's Art & Nature Festival, November 2023. Funds raised for the project will be donated to local marine wildlife non-profits in Laguna Beach to support their vital work.

As well as the official project mural, Jane is also creating individual artworks for each school/community workshop with the aim of presenting prints of these artworks to participating schools/art and education institutes for display to raise further awareness.

Jane and the DftP Team, Kirsten Rogers and Kristin Hunziker at CFF (left); LAM and CFF workshop participants, 2022

Since the project began with workshops at LAM and CFMF during Art & Nature 2022, 584 children (age 4+) and adults from the USA and the UK have participated in 21 workshops, creating drawings of over 200 marine species. Jane's workshops feature a presentation followed by a practical drawing session and include the following elements:

• About Laguna Marine Wildlife project
• About the artist including images of ballpoint pen drawings
• About marine wildlife and how to protect it
• How art can help wildlife
• Making emotional connections with species through drawing
• How to create a portrait
• Jane's drawing tips
• Instilling of her mantra "everyone can draw"
• Individual tutoring by Jane throughout
• End of workshop drawing exhibition

Study species are researched and carefully selected by Jane to include species of all conservation statuses through critically endangered - unlisted on the IUCN red list. All drawings are scanned and returned to schools/participants. Schools/participants are encouraged to display drawings and also raise further awareness by telling others what they have learned about marine wildlife and the need to protect it.

LAM workshop participants, 2022

The project aims to include over 600 participants and raise awareness of around 200 marine species.

This online gallery is evolving as the project grows and exhibits school/workshops artworks created by Jane featuring participants drawings. Laguna Marine Wildlife artwork will be added upon completion. The gallery also includes species information (updated as species are studied) illustrated with a selection of participants drawings and our How You Can Help Protect Marine Wildlife PDF. Scroll down to view the artworks and explore the wildlife:

THE ARTWORKS

The artworks below were created by Jane following each school/public workshop and feature drawings by participants. They are created in US and UK paper sizes. The aim of the artworks is to raise awareness of each species and to celebrate the beauty and diversity of both the wildlife and participants drawings: 

USA

LAGUNA ART MUSEUM, COAST FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WORKSHOPS

Laguna Ocean 2023

62 Californian children and adults created drawings in LAM and CFMF workshops, and Laguna Beach Unified School District's Celebration of the Arts workshop. Species include flapjack octopus, Spanish shawl and bottlenose dolphin.  

UK

KEPIER ACADEMY

 

Kepier Ocean 2023

33 Year 10 children from Kepier Academy, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear created drawings of species including Opah, leopard shark and Garibaldi.

KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL

KEVI Ocean 2023

Featuring drawings by 46 Year 9 children and 3 teachers from King Edward VI School, Morpeth, Northumberland of species including spotted rat fish, short-fin pilot whale, winged argonaut and scalloped hammerhead.

EAST BOLDON INFANT SCHOOL

East Boldon Ocean 2023

180 Reception - Year 2 children from East Boldon Infant School, South Tyneside participated. This artwork features a selection of drawings by 52 children of species including Giant Pacific Octopus, Guadalupe Fur Sea, and Red Rock Crab.

THE OCEAN

Critically endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks: Dreamstime / ©️ Jonathan Green

The Pacific Ocean around California is teeming with wildlife. It is home to 42 species of marine mammals including endangered Sea Otters and Northern Pacific Right Whales and around 700 species of fish such as California's state fish, the vivid orange Garibaldi. With a wide variety of habitats including kelp forests, California's ocean supports a myriad of ecosystems.

However, across the globe our oceans are in peril due to climate change, pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction. Over 100 million sharks are fished from our oceans annually. Sharks have existed for 450 million years since before the first trees, while modern humans only evolved around 200 thousand years ago. Sharks are vital to the well being of our oceans as they help maintain the delicate balance of ecosystems. Surely oceans without these beautiful and greatly misunderstood animals is an unthinkable prospect for us all?

Oceans produce 50 per cent of the oxygen we breathe. They also regulate our climate as well as provide us with food and employment. It is therefore in humanity's interest to maintain healthy oceans and protect marine biodiversity for future generations. 

"No water, no life. No blue, no green.” Dr Sylvia Earle, marine biologist and oceanographer

10 WAYS YOU CAN HELP PROTECT MARINE WILDLIFE

Would you like to help protect marine wildlife but are not sure what you can do? Drawing for the Planet has created a list of 10 simple actions you can take to protect our precious oceans. The more people who take positive action the greater the impact we can make. 

You can spread the word by downloading our HOW YOU CAN HELP PROTECT MARINE WILDLIFE PDF above and sharing it -  together we are stronger! 

THE WILDLIFE

Image: Dreamstime

Each of the following species drawn for the project plays a vital role in its ecosystem. Like humans, they live their lives according to their needs. Imagine what their eyes have seen or the epic life they experience in the ocean.

Many of these beautiful animals are threatened with extinction, some will have experienced stress and trauma at the hands of humankind. It is up to all of us to protect and cherish them. Learn more about the species studied below with information provided by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and excerpts other sources:

MARINE MAMMALS

BLUE WHALE

Balaenoptera musculus
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: 5000-15000 INCREASING
Drawing: Finley Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Blue Whale:

"The blue whale is one of nature's most magnificent and graceful beings. Louder, larger, longer and heavier than any other creature, this whale's a multi-record breaker and a totem of conservation for all whales and dolphins...Commanding awe, they grow to over 33 metres long - twice as long as a T-Rex dinosaur. Even their calves are a whopping 7 metres in length, weighing in the same as an adult African Elephant...A normal life span is up to 90 years, though one famous whale lived for 110 years...Whether they are traveling or not, blue whales like to communicate with each other. Sometimes, they talk to each other over hundreds of miles producing songs and sounds of up to 188 decibels. That's louder than a jet plane!" uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/blue-whale

NORTH PACIFIC RIGHT WHALE

Eubalaena japonica
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Amelie Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/North Pacific Right Whale:

Hunted to the brink of extinction, North Pacific right whales were so-named because hunters singled them out as lucrative game. Literally, they were considered the “right” whales to kill. Relentlessly persecuted in the early 1900s, North Pacific right whales were nearly wiped off the face of the earth. Targeted by whalers, they were easy to approach, easy to catch, floated when they were dead and had blubber cells rich in oil. Today they, along with the North Atlantic right whale, are the most endangered of the great whales. Carrying one third of their body weight, the North Pacific right whale has a huge, handsome head that is etched with a strongly arched mouthline. With a lumpy, bumpy appearance, their faces are peppered with horny growths called callosities. Time and time again we have seen how innocent beings like North Pacific right whales have suffered appallingly in the hands of humans. These days, sightings at sea are few and far between, but what we do know about these whales is that they are gentle, playful and inquisitive souls who are surprisingly acrobatic despite their size and speed. One of their most fascinating and endearing tricks, North Pacific right whales have been known to use their tales as sails, sticking their tail flukes out of the water to catch the breeze." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/north-pacific-right-whale

SPERM WHALE

Physeter macrocephalus
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Liam Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Sperm Whale:

"Sperm whales are totally unique. Colossal giants of the deep, their presence commands a reverent awe. They possess the largest brain in the animal kingdon and spend much of their lives in the light-starved depths of the oceans hunting prey. The might sperm whales look nothing like any other whale, For a start, they each have an enormous square-shaped head which accounts for around a third of their body length. They have stumpy dorsal fins and two relatively small pectoral fins on either side of their wrinkle-covered bodies. Perhaps their most recognizable trait though is their jaw, containing up to 52 cone-shaped teeth in the lower half, weighing a kilo each! Spending much of their lives hunting in the deep for their prey, sperm whales can dive to depths of up to 3km and hold their breath for an incredible 2 hours."uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/sperm-whale

FIN WHALE

Balaenoptera physalus 
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: 100,000 INCREASING
Drawing: Riley Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Fin Whale:

"Some whales are big, some are fast, some have unusual looks. The fin whale somehow manages all three. Nicknamed ‘the greyhounds of the sea’, fin whales are the second biggest mammals in the world. Truly handsome individuals, fin whales have long, slender bodies that can grow up to a whopping 80 feet in length. With a distinct ridge running behind the dorsal fin, in the USA they have earned themselves the nickname “razorbacks” and cut through the water with ease. Like other baleen whales, fin whales have expandable pleats that allow them to take in huge amounts of water and food... Mostly sporting grey, dark brown and black tones with a gorgeous pale belly, from a distance there might not seem anything unusual about fin whales. However, on closer inspection they have one very striking feature. Whilst on their left side their lower jaw is black, on the right side it is a brilliant white. The difference in colouration between each side of the body is called “asymmetrical pigmentation” and is only found in one other whale species, Omura’s whale. Some scientists believe this unusual characteristic may have something to do with hunting strategies, although nothing is certain. Generally found alone or in pairs, fin whales are mostly solitary and are rarely found in groups. Babies stay with their mums for around one year and learn all about the dos and don’ts in this time. Unlike other whales, fin whales are not too fond of the spotlight. They only rarely breach or spyhop, even avoiding raising their fluke out of the water for much of the time. Despite their seeming shyness, fin whales have no qualms when it comes to mixing with some other species of whales and have even been known to breed with blue whales, giving birth to hybrid calves! On the whole, life for fin whales has been particularly hard. Relentlessly hunted for their oil, meat and baleen, their numbers have been radically reduced by whalers, though in the earlier days of whaling they were often too fast to be caught by the whale boats. These days, the struggle is ongoing, and the dangers of whaling industries are a constant threat. Despite recognising their vulnerable status, some whalers continue to target fin whales. Fin whales have a pretty simple diet, consisting of krill, small fish and crustaceans. However, when you are that big and your prey is that small, you have to eat a lot to survive. In order to get their fill, fin whales can spend several hours each day feeding, gulping up to 70 cubic metres of water in one go before it sieving out. With such big tummies to fill, fin whales can consume up to 2000kg of krill every day. Fin whales can be found all over the world’s oceans. Most at home in the deep, open ocean, they prefer cooler waters and are rarely found in tropical waters. Like other large whales, fin whales are thought to migrate between feeding and breeding grounds. That said, resident populations do exist, and both the Gulf of California in Mexico and the Mediterranean are home to resident populations of fin whales." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/fin-whale

HUMPBACK WHALE

Megaptera novaeangliae 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: 84,000 INCREASING
Drawing: Natalie Hunziker Laguna Beach high school student (CFF workshop)

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Humpback Whale:

"Tuneful, graceful and simply, huge, the amazing humpback whales are the virtuosos of the deep. Singing some of the longest and most complex songs in the animal kingdom, humpback whales are masters of melody. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, they also undertake some of the longest migrations of any mammal in the world. Humpback whales are massive, growing to 17 metres in length. Their huge, dark bodies are flanked by enormous pectoral flippers growing up to around a third of their body length...Well-known for their underwater lullabies, male humpback whales are particularly vocal during the mating season. Covering such huge distances, humpback whales are constantly exposed to a number of threats and must navigate a myriad of life-threatening dangers. These include whalers, fishing nets and ships." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/humpback-whale/

COMMON MINKE WHALE

Physeter macrocephalus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)

Population: 200,000 population trend UNKNOWN
Drawing: London high school student, California (LAM workshop)

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Common Minke Whale:

"The gorgeous minke whale is one of the species most severely affected by the whaling industry...The common minke reaches around 8 to 9 metres long...Minke whales are content in their own company and tend to be quite solitary. Relatively fast swimmers, they are not ones for showmanship and keep their acrobatic skills largely to themselves, only occasionally breaching and spyhopping...Common minke whales enjoy a varied diet, happily eating krill, schooling fish and larger fish too. Unfortunately, in a bid to support culls, whalers have perpetuated myths that minkes are responsible for the decline in worldwide fish populations. Whilst in reality the impact minke whales have on fish populations pales into significance compared to the dramatic and devastating effects of industrial fishing practices. uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/common-minke-whale

GRAY WHALE

Eschrichtius robustus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: STABLE
Drawing: Kain Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Gray Whale:

"Gray whales are amazing long-distance travellers, undertaking migrations of thousands of kilometres each year... As their name suggests, gray whales are grey in colour – although a more marbled than plain grey – with a relatively small, narrow head, which arches distinctively between the blowhole and snout. They have a robust body and flippers which are small and paddle-shaped. Instead of a dorsal fin there is a low hump with ‘knuckles' between the hump and the tail. Gray whales usually also have huge amounts of barnacles and whale lice attached predominantly to the head and body... In summer it’s all about finding as much food as possible, and fattening up before embarking on a long journey south to warmer waters where it’s all about breeding and rearing their young. Once the calf is ready and the blubber reserves depleted, it’s time to head north again, back to the feeding grounds in the cooler waters of the north. This part of the journey is a dangerous time for gray whales as orcas lie in wait, ready to attack and feast on their nutritious young calves... Gray whales are bottom feeders, consuming a wide range of benthic and epibenthic invertebrates. They hunt seabed creatures by rolling over on one side then swimming slowly along sucking up sediment and the small creatures that live in it. They then sieve out the water and silt through their baleen, trapping the food behind. Most gray whales turn on their right side to feed (but like humans some are 'left-handed') and as a result, the baleen on the right side is usually shorter and more worn than the baleen on the left side, and the right side of the head is more scarred from rooting around on the bottom. Gray whales undertake one of the world's longest migrations, making a yearly round trip of 15,000-20,000 km. Although the remaining populations of gray whale were thought to be relatively isolated from each other, recent data shows that at least some of the whales in the western population actually migrate all the way round the rim of the Pacific and down to Mexico." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/gray-whale

KILLER WHALE

Orcinus orca
Conservation Status: DATA DEFICIENT (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Sebastian Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/KillerWhale:

"With their distinctive black and white patterning and huge dorsal fins, a pod of orcas powering through the waves is one of the most impressive sights in the natural world. If you’re an eight-meter-long, six-tonne predator, sneaking up on a tasty herring can be a tricky business. Which is where an orca’s black-and-white coloring is useful. This patterning works like camouflage, from above and below. It breaks up their appearance and makes them harder to see in the water. But above water, orcas’ tall dorsal fins make them easy to spot when they’re swimming close to the surface. Males have longer dorsal fins – up to two meters – that’s taller than most humans. Orcas live in family pods of up to 50 individuals. Calves do not leave their mothers’ sides when they become adults, and you’ll sometimes find pods containing four generations. The eldest female orca is in charge, telling the group when and where to feed. Orcas sleep with just one half of their brain at a time. They need to remain semi-awake all the time, so they can surface to breathe." us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/orca-killer-whale/

SHORT-FINNED PILOT WHALE

Globicephala macrorhynchus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Alexandria Y9 King Edward School, UK

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Short-finned Pilot Whale:

"Short-finned pilot whales have been nicknamed as the "cheetahs of the deep sea" for their deep, high-speed, sprint-dives to chase and capture large squid...Pilot whales are extraordinarily social; their strong bonds motivate them to stick together through thick and thin, even when that means putting themselves at risk...They are strongly bonded to each other and do everything together; resting, hunting, socialising, playing and travelling as a unified pod. The most important thing in their lives is each other, and they are incredibly loyal. Pod sizes vary between 10 and 50... The bond between a mother and her offspring are very strong and last until the mother dies. Pilot whales can dive to depths of up to 1000m for 10 to 16 minutes at a time. They mostly feed at night in deep water using echolocation to find prey."uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/short-finned-pilot-whale

LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALE

Globicephala melas 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: James and Elijah W. Y2, Georgie and Lydia Y1, East Boldon Infant School, UK

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Long-finned Pilot Whale:

"Long-finned pilot whales do indeed have very long flipper! However, the ‘pilot’ part of their name comes from and old theory that each pod is piloted by a single leader. We now know this is not the case, but the name has stuck. Pilot whales are actually large dolphins. Male pilot whales are larger than females, and they have a more bulbous forehead and chunkier dorsal fin. Pilot whales have a very sociable and inquisitive nature.  They are long-lived and live together in multi-generational, tight-knit, stable pods. Pilot whales are often active at the surface; they may spyhop (poke their heads out of the water), or lobtail (lift their flukes out of the water and splash them down). They are also regularly seen resting (logging) in unison, close to each other at the surface." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/long-finned-pilot-whale

BLAINVILLE'S BEAKED WHALE 

Mesoplodon densirostris
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Brogan Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Blainville's Beaked Whale:

"With its steeply arched jaw, Blainville's beaked whale is both striking and easily recognisable. Known for its unmistakable arch, Blainsville's beaked whale's lower jaw curves sharply upwards...Blainsville's beaked whales often live in and return to the same area. Forming distinct social circles, it's believed that male Blainville's beaked whales defend groups of females...As with other deep-diving beaked whales, squid forms a major part of their diet, with crustaceans and fish also on the menu." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/blainvilles-beaked-whale

COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

 

Tursiops truncates
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Alex Y10 Kepier Academy, UK;  Jennifer Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Kristin Hunziker DftP Advisor, California (CFF workshop)

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Common Bottlenose Dolphin:

"Along with great apes, elephants and humans, common bottlenose dolphins have one of the most sophisticated intellects on our planet. Because of films and TV shows like Flipper and decades of exploitation for human amusement, bottlenose dolphins are the most recognisable of all dolphin species…If you are a bottlenose dolphin, your family and friends are vital. You rely on them for companionship and fun, and they also help you to find and catch food. They babysit your kids when you need to scope out new hunting grounds, and they will rally round when you are sick. Although some individuals choose to live alone, by far the majority are highly social and will also associate with other species of dolphins, whales and even sharks and turtles. Some even cooperate with humans to catch fish." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/common-bottlenose-dolphin/

PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN

Lagenorhynchus obliquidens
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Jess Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Colin Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach 

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Pacific White-sided Dolphin:

"Energetic, acrobatic and extremely social, the beautiful Pacific white-sided dolphins are a sight to behold. These dolphins are impressively agile, expertly acrobatic and extremely social. True showmen and women, they love to bow and wake-ride, often approaching boats and wowing onlookers with their skills. Performing spectacular leaps, flips, spins, somersaults and 'porpoising' at high speeds, their innate talents would bedazzle even the greatest Olympian. Generally travelling in groups of tens or hundreds of individuals, Pacific white-sided dolphins can sometimes be seen in herd of 2,000 or more...They are also happy to hang out with other species, including northern right-whale dolphins, Risso's dolphins, sea lions and even seals."uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/pacific-white-sided-dolphin

RISSO'S DOLPHIN

Grampus griseus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Alexandra Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Risso's Dolphin:

"Risso’s dolphins have a distinctive grey body which over time becomes covered in scars. Risso’s dolphins are predominantly deep water lovers and are therefore relatively unstudied, however in several places around the world they can be found within only metres of the coast enabling researchers to learn so much more about them…Although they start out in life a grey/olive brown colour, as they get older they get whiter and whiter – a result of numerous scars and scratches from other Risso’s dolphins and their favourite food, squid! Busy and incredibly sociable, Risso’s normally like the company of several other pod mates, sometimes lots, and although they’re normally boat-shy, they can be seen leaping out the water, breaching, tail and head-slapping and generally having a very active time.” uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/rissos-dolphin

NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHIN 

Lissodelphis borealis
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Fynn Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Oliver Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach 

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Northern Right Whale Dolphin:

"Northern right whale dolphins are named after right whales for the simple reason that like their larger, whale namesakes, they also do not have a dorsal fin. Northern right whale dolphins are known for their distinctive black and white colour pattern and their dark, smooth and shiny backs. They have sleek, streamlined, slender bodies and look skinny...Northern right whale dolphins are extremely sociable and gregarious; they live in large groups of 100 to 200. Groups of up to 3000 individuals have been seen. They often mis with other dolphin species such as Pacific white-sided dolphins, short-finned pilot whales and Risso's dolphins...They are highly acrobatic swimmers and perform long, low leaps at high speed; they can leap more than 6m over the surface." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/northern-right-whale-dolphin

 

PANTROPICAL SPOTTED DOLPHIN

 

Stenella attenuate
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Holly Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Pantropical Spotted Dolphin:

"Pantropical spotted dolphins are sometimes nicknamed ‘spotters’. The degree of spottiness varies from population to population around the world…They are very gregarious and social dolphins and can often be found swimming in mixed schools with other species such as spinner dolphins. The size of their schools varies considerably; coastal schools usually number fewer than 100 dolphins, whereas offshore schools can consist of thousands of dolphins. Pantropical spotted dolphins are fast-swimming and agile; they frequently perform acrobatic splashy leaps and side-slaps. They are enthusiastic bowriders and wake-riders…Pantropical spotted dolphins tend to dive more deeply at night to feed. Unusually detailed information has been collected about this species because so many dead dolphins, killed by tuna fisheries have been available for study." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/pantropical-spotted-dolphin

COMMON DOLPHIN

Delphinus delphis
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Cash, Flynn and Rosie, Reception, Adalyn Y1, Alice and Rosie Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Common Dolphin:

"Previously considered as one species, in 1994 the common dolphin was separated into short and long-beak varieties. However, advances in science suggest the initial classification was correct and the common dolphin is in fact one species (with four sub-species), which shows considerable variation through its large range. Fast and furious for this friendly, sociable dolphin. Common dolphins typically travel in large groups numbering between 10 and 50 dolphins, and occasionally, hundreds if not thousands. Occasionally, different groups will come together to form mega-pods which can consist of over 10,000 dolphins. They are incredibly acrobatic and can often be seen breaching and breaking the water's surface at high speed, a behaviour which can be seen from some distance away. Entire pods will take turns to bow-ride all shapes and sizes of boat and they are often seen with other marine mammals (sometimes even bow-riding the wake of large whales) and feeding seabirds. Life however, can also be fraught with danger as short-beaked common dolphins are hunted throughout their range and are also increasingly becoming accidentally entangled in fishing gear." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/common-dolphin

HARBOR PORPOISE

Phocoena phocoena
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: James and Harry Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK

Whale and Dolphin Conservation/Harbor Porpoise:

"Cute and compact, harbor porpoises show that good things do come in small packages. The English word ‘porpoise’ is derived from the Latin word for pig – porcus. Rather unflatteringly, the harbor porpoise used to be known as the ‘puffing pig’, because of the sneeze-like puffing sound they make when they breathe! Harbour porpoises are relatively small compared to other dolphins…Life for a harbour porpoise is by all accounts pretty fast and furious. They mature at an earlier age, reproduce more frequently and have a shorter lifespan compared to other toothed cetaceans (the collective name for all whales, dolphins and porpoises). Mostly seen on their own, harbour porpoises are sometimes found in small groups. The most common social grouping is that of mum and baby." uk.whales.org/whales-dolphins/species-guide/harbour-porpoise

NORTHERN FUR SEAL

 

Callorhinus ursinus
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: 650,000; population trend: DECREASING
Drawing: Mr Borthwick King Edward VI School, UK

Ocean Conservancy/ Northern Fur Seal:

STELLER SEA LION

 

Eumetopias jubatus
Conservation Status: NEAR THREATENED (IUCN Red List)
Population: 81,327; population trend: INCREASING
Drawings: Katie Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Charlotte Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Ocean Conservancy/Steller Sea Lion:

"Steller sea lions are the largest species of sea lion. Steller sea lions can weigh up to 2,500 pounds. Bull males are by far the largest and the heaviest, up to three times the size of the average female... Steller sea lions are very social...Unlike “true seals” such as harbor seals and elephant seals, sea lions have long front flippers and hind flippers that can rotate, allowing them to move much better on land. Steller sea lions are rather chatty when they’re around other Steller sea lions—they use grumbles, growls and roars to communicate...Males develop long, coarse manes as they get older, similar to a lion’s mane—a true “lion of the sea.” Read more here: oceanconservancy.org/wildlife-factsheet/steller-sea-lions

GUADALUPE FUR SEAL

Arctocephalus townsendi 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: 10,000; population trend: INCREASING
Drawing: Rocco Y2,  Elijah Y2, Charlotte Y1 and Frances Y1, East Boldon Infant School, UK; Kaice Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach

Oceana/Guadalupe Fur Seal:

"Guadalupe fur seals are members of the eared seal family…[they have] strong front flippers for propelling its body through the water and walking on land. They feed primarily at night on squid and other forage fish, diving to depths of up to 65 feet. During the summer, Guadalupe fur seals likely fall prey to killer whales and great white sharks around Guadalupe Island. Guadalupe fur seals were hunted extensively for their fur during the 1800s and were believed to be extinct until a small population of 14 individuals was spotted in 1954." oceana.org/marine-life/guadalupe-fur-seal/

CALIFORNIA SEA LION

Zalophus californianus 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: 180,000; population trend: INCREASING
Drawing: Keanu high school student, California (CFF workshop)

Ocean Conservancy/California Sea Lion

NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL

Mirounga angustirostris
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: 110,000; population trend: INCREASING
Drawings: Olivia and Jess Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Northern Elephant Seal:

"...A species of phocid (true) seal, northern elephant seals are quite unique in their appearance and behavior. This species is not named for its size but for the distinct, elephant trunk-like snout (proboscis) adult males have... [M]ales can reach 13 feet long... All northern elephant seals lack ear flaps, have a rounded face with sensory whiskers (vibrissae), and have a blended coat of silver and brown fur, which they molt annually along with the top layer of their skin... Northern elephant seals call the eastern Pacific ocean home, ranging from Baja California Sur in Mexico to as far north as Alaska... They spend a significant portion of the year in open Pacific waters and migrate to Californian and Mexican beaches during the winter months for breeding, raising their young, and molting... Northern elephant seals are opportunistic feeders, meaning they eat whatever is easiest to catch, and their diet usually consists of squid, small and medium sized fish, eels, crustaceans, and even small sharks and rays. Orca whales and great white sharks are northern elephant seals’ primary natural predators ... Males return to shore first where they have violent and often bloody battles to establish dominance in the hierarchy and territory along the beach. These battles often feature threatening sounds produced by inflating their trunk-like snouts and violent head thrashing and biting. Days to weeks later, females return to shore where they find a harem (breeding group of one male and multiple females) to conceive or for protection while they give birth and nurse their young... After whale populations suffered from commercial whaling in the 1800s, elephant seals were prime targets for hunting due to the dense and plentiful oil their bodies produce, an oil that was primarily used by humans for lamp oil. In fact, they were thought to be extinct in 1884 and did not start to recover until the early 1900s... Northern elephant seal populations have made a recovery to population levels before being overexploited. Fishing gear entanglements, disease, environmental change, and accidental vessel strikes remain threats to the species." marinesanctuary.org/blog/creature-feature-northern-elephant-seals

HARBOR SEAL

Phoca vitulina
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: 315,000; population trend: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Isabella, Reception and Lucy Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK

Oceana/Harbor Seal:

“Harbor seals are members of the true seal or “earless seal” family…Like other true seals, harbor seals do not have external ears and cannot use their hind flippers to move on land. Instead, these pinnipeds “bounce” in a caterpillar-like motion…In water, harbor seals are much more graceful. They can spend several days at sea foraging for food and even sleep underwater for up to 30 minutes at a time.” oceana.org/marine-life/harbor-seal/

SEA OTTER

Enhydra lutris
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Isla Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Natalia Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana; Sterling age 5, California (CFF workshop)

Oceana/Sea Otter:

"The charismatic sea otter is one of the most well-known marine mammals today. The largest member of the weasel family, they can grow to be nearly 5 feet long and weigh almost 100 pounds. They spend nearly their entire life in the ocean…Sea otters feed almost exclusively on marine invertebrates such as sea urchins, clams, mussels, and crabs. Since shelled prey like this can be difficult to eat, sea otters have devised a special way to break open their meal. Otters will dive down to collect a rock which they then strike their prey with repeatedly until it opens. Their special taste for sea urchins means that sea otters serve an important ecosystem role in regulating sea urchin populations and preventing overgrazing on giant kelp. This in turn helps kelp forests flourish, making sea otters a “keystone species” in the ecosystems where they live...Since sea otters lack the thick layer of blubber that most marine mammals have to insulate them from cold ocean waters, sea otters depend on their thick fur to keep them warm. Unfortunately, this unique adaptation also made otter fur very attractive, almost driving the species to near extinction through the 18^th and 19^th century fur trade. Though sea otters have gained legal protection throughout much of their range, today oil spills pose the greatest human-made threats to these creatures, as oil causes a sea otter’s fur to lose its insulation ability, leading to hypothermia." Read more here: oceana.org/marine-life/sea-otter

SEA TURTLES

HAWKSBILL TURTLE

Eretmochelys imbric
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Skye Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Oceana/Hawksbill Turtle:

"The hawksbill turtle gets its common name from the shape of its curved, pointed beak, which resembles that of a bird of prey. They use this beak to feed on sponges and other invertebrates growing on coral reefs. Hawksbill turtles send part of their lives in the open ocean, but are more reef-associated than other species of sea turtles. Like many other species of marine turtles, hawksbills spend most of their time in the water with females only coming to shore to lay eggs. Unfortunately, there are many threats to hawksbill turtle populations, and scientists consider this species to be critically endangered. Coastal development has reduced the area where they can successfully nest, dogs and other animals often destroy nests, and people harvest their eggs for food." oceana.org/marine-life/hawksbill-turtle

GREEN TURTLE

Chelonia mydas
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Piper H., Piper W., and Sussi, California (CFF workshop); Nola Y2 East Boldon Infant School, UK

Oceana/Green Turtle:

"The green turtle is the largest species in the family of hard-shelled sea turtles and second largest to the leatherback turtle among all sea turtles. Its common name comes not from the color of its skin or shell, which is common among most sea turtle species, but from the greenish color of its fat. The green turtle is the only sea turtle that is a strict herbivore, and its diet of seagrass and algae may contribute to the green fatty tissue. Similarly to other sea turtles, green turtles are known to travel incredibly long distances during their lifetimes. In some cases, individuals may travel across entire ocean basins from their feeding areas to nesting beaches in the tropics and sub-tropics. Green turtles use the earth’s magnetic field like an invisible map to navigate throughout their migrations." oceana.org/marine-life/green-turtle

LOGGERHEAD TURTLE

Caretta caretta
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Ethan and Alannah Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Ruby Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Oceana/Loggerhead Turtle:

"The loggerhead turtle is a large-bodied sea turtle named for its broad, strong head. These turtles are generalists predators and use their muscular heads and powerful jaws to crush the shells of queen conch, Caribbean spiny lobsters and other hard-shelled invertebrates. Loggerhead turtles spend the majority of their time in the ocean with females only coming ashore to nest." oceana.org/marine-life/loggerhead-turtle

LEATHERBACK TURTLE

Dermochelys coriacea
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: left: Lily and Lacie Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Oceana/Leatherback Turtle:

"The leatherback turtle is the largest living turtle on the planet. Unlike all other marine turtles, the leatherback turtle does not have a hard, bony carapace (shell). Instead, as its name implies, it has a tough, rubbery shell that is composed of cartilage-like tissues. Unlike many other reptile species, leatherback turtles are able to maintain warm body temperatures in cold water due to some unique adaptations that allows them to generate and retain body heat, including their large body size, a thick layer of fat and changing their swimming activity. Leatherback turtles are known to travel incredibly long distances during their lifetimes. They can also stay underwater for up to 85 minutes." oceana.org/marine-life/leatherback-turtle

SHARKS AND RAYS

TOPE

Galeorhinus galeus
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Olivia and Holly Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

A member of the Houndshark family, the Tope is known by many names including Soupfin Shark, School Shark, Flake, Rig, Penny’s Dog, Snapper Shark, Liver-oil Shark, and Miller’s Dog. Harmless to humans the Tope is hunted for its liver oil, fins and meat. It is also a victim of bycatch (unintentionally caught during fishing for other species).

SCALLOPED HAMMERHEAD

Sphyrna lewini 
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: above: Abbey, Josephine, Molly and Olivia Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Poppy Reception and Belle Y1, East Boldon Infant School, UK

Oceana/Scalloped Hammerhead Shark:

"The wide, hammer-shaped head gives [Hammerhead sharks] their common name, and the scalloped hammerhead is named for the notches found along the front edge of its head. Like all hammerhead sharks, the scalloped hammerhead is an active predator and gains several advantages from the shape of its head. The widely spaced eyes, nostrils, and other senses allow the scalloped hammerhead to more successfully locate its prey near, or buried in, the sea floor. Also, the scalloped hammerhead may use its head to pin stingrays to the bottom, allowing them to successfully eat those difficult to capture species. Historically, the scalloped hammerhead shark could be observed forming very large schools of hundreds (or more) adults, but this phenomenon makes the species vulnerable to targeted fishing, and many known grouping areas have been mostly depleted." oceana.org/marine-life/scalloped-hammerhead-shark

SHORTFIN MAKO

Isurus oxyrinchus
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Sophie Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Oceana/Shortfin Mako:

"With top speeds of 45 miles per hour (74 kilometers per hour), the shortfin mako is the fastest shark and is one of the fastest fishes on the planet. This species’ athleticism is not restricted to its swimming speeds. It is known for its incredible leaping ability and can be observed jumping to extreme heights (out of the water) when hunting. Shortfin mako sharks are known to be highly migratory, with individuals making long migrations every year. Everywhere that they live, they are either targeted commercially or captured accidentally in fisheries targeting other species. These sharks are valued for the high quality of their fins and meat. Without increased conservation and management efforts, this species’ populations will continue to decline, perhaps to a dangerous degree." oceana.org/marine-life/shortfin-mako-shark

SPINETAIL DEVIL RAY

Mobula mobular 
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Alexandria Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Shark Trust/Spinetail Devil Ray:

"Also known as the Devil Fish or Giant Devil Ray, Spinetail Devil Rays are known for their devil-like horns and aerial acrobatics. With a maximum wingspan of 3.5m, the Spinetail Devil Ray (a.k.a. Giant Devil Ray) lives up to its name. However, it’s only the 3^rd largest ray in the Mobula genus. The Giant Oceanic Manta and Reef Manta come in at 7m and 5.5m respectively. There are several species known as Devil Rays. These include species like the Lesser Devil Ray and Pygmy Devil Ray. They are the only devil fish with a spiny tail. Known for its aerial acrobatics, it’s capable of leaping from the water to great heights." sharktrust.org/blog/creature-feature-spinetail-devil-ray

 

 

Carcharodon carcharias
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Luca and Evan Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Dymo, K and Sterling (age 5) California (CFF workshop); Anthony California (Laguna Beach High School workshop)

Shark Trust/White Shark:

"This supreme apex predator is perfectly adapted to their environment. With a large torpedo shaped body and powerful tail they're truly built for speed. At top speed they can reach up to 25mph. White Sharks belong to a group of sharks (known as the mackerel sharks) who have a remarkable adaptation that enables them to retain warmth. This makes them much more efficient hunters. White Sharks vary in colour (from olive to brown or grey) with a white underbelly, which is what is thought to have given them their name. This counter shading acts as camouflage. Concealed from above and below, they’re able to sneak up on unsuspecting prey. When turned on their back, Great White Sharks enter a trance-like state known as tonic immobility. It’s thought that being upside down disorientates them, causing this unusual response. As a top predator White Sharks play a key role in keeping our oceans healthy. They do this by keeping other populations in check and preying on the sick and old. This prevents the spread of disease and helps to improve the gene pool. Scientists estimate that White Sharks can live 70 years or more. Making them one of the longest-living sharks!" sharktrust.org/Blog/creature-feature-white-shark

BULL SHARK

Carcharhinus leucas
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Delilah and Alex Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach 

Shark Trust/Bull Shark:

"So named for their short, blunt snout and cantankerous nature...Generally solitary animals, Bull Sharks like to be left alone and can be very territorial. They’re also known to ram their prey, or potential rivals. Adopting a hunting strategy known as bump-and-bite. They often hunt in murky waters with low visibility, so rely on their keen sense of smell to find prey. Once located they’ll charge their prey head-on and continue to bump and bite them until they're too exhausted to swim away. They have a diverse diet, primarily made up of fish (including other sharks and rays). They'll also eat crabs, shrimp, starfish, sea-urchins, turtles, birds and dolphins. When food is scarce, Bull Sharks can slow down their digestion, enabling them to eat less at a time. To avoid being eaten by predators, they also have a neat little escape plan. They'll regurgitate their food to act as a distraction, while they make a hasty get-away. Probably one of the most incredible things about Bull Sharks though is their remarkable ability to survive in freshwater. Only around 5% of shark species can, and most of them only for a short time. Yet the Bull Shark may live here for years. They can travel huge distances up rivers and have been found as far as 2,500 miles from the sea up the Amazon River. The biggest issue marine sharks face when entering freshwater is maintaining the correct balance of water and salt in their body. To prevent massive water intake through osmosis, their body must quickly remove excess salts. Otherwise, they could swell to the point of bursting... A recent study discovered that they can only survive in a freshwater habitat for 4 years. This is likely due to a lack of food. Highlighting how important both marine and freshwater habitats are to the life cycle of a Bull Shark. Their age determines where they live. Estuaries and freshwater habitats provide relative safety for young pups to develop. Here they’re out of reach from many predators, such as other shark species and larger Bull Sharks. As they get older, Bull Sharks develop more of a tolerance for saltwater and start venturing out to sea...they’re thought to live up to 24 years in the wild." www.sharktrust.org/blog/creature-feature-bull-shark

SMOOTH HAMMERHEAD

Sphyrna zygaena
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Tommy Reception, Darcy and Riley Y1, Elijah, Alex, India and Jai Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK 

Shark Trust/Smooth Hammerhead Shark:

"Hammerhead sharks are aptly named for their very distinctive hammer-shaped heads. This unique adaptation improves their manoeuvrability, enables them to see 360°, and enhances their ability to detect electrical currents. A sixth sense that all sharks have. The hammerhead shark family is made up of 9 species. The largest of which are the Great, Scalloped and Smooth. Each have slight variations to the front edge of their head…and their names hold the clue. The head (or cephalophoil) of a Smooth Hammerhead is smooth and more rounded in shape. Whereas the Scalloped has wavy indentations like a scallop shell. The largest of them all - the Great Hammerhead - has a much straighter front edge. The biggest threat facing Smooth Hammerheads comes from overfishing. While there's no target fishery for this species, they're highly-prized for their fins. So, if captured as bycatch they’re often retained throughout much of their geographic range." sharktrust.org/Blog/creature-feature-smooth-hammerhead

SMALLTOOTH SAND TIGER

Odontaspis ferox 
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Brooke Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Britannica/Sand Sharks:

"[T]he smalltooth sand tiger shark and the bigeye sand tiger shark are largely deepwater species. Smalltooth sand tigers spend more time than bigeye sand tigers in shallow waters near islands and coastlines. The smalltooth sand tiger is the largest of the three sand shark species, commonly measuring about 3.6 metres (11.8 feet) in length." britannica.com/animal/sand-shark

BLACKTIP SHARK

Carcharhinus limbatus
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Mikey Y1; Arlo and Rose Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK 

Oceana/Blacktip Shark:

"The blacktip shark is a widespread, medium-sized shark characterized by its black-tipped pectoral, dorsal and tail fins that give this species its name. It is often mistaken for the spinner shark because both species have torpedo-shaped bodies and are known for spinning out of the water while feeding. Blacktip sharks have been recorded making at least 3 rotations before falling back into the water.Blacktip sharks also have an excellent sense of smell and can detect one part of fish flesh in 10 billion parts of seawater. Unlike many large marine species that fall victim to bycatch, the blacktip shark is a primary, direct target of many commercial fisheries. Blacktip sharks are fished commercially for their highly regarded meat in American, Mexican, Indian and Mediterranean markets, as well as for their fins in East Asian markets. Blacktip sharks are also fished recreationally in U.S. and Mexico waters. Currently, there is no international management plan for the blacktip shark fishery." oceana.org/marine-life/blacktip-shark

COMMON THRESHER

Alopias vulpinus
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: below: Lucie and Ewan Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Oceana/Common Thresher Shark:

"The common thresher shark is most notable for its long, top caudal fin, or tail fin. However, what you may not know about this shark is that they use this top fin to herd, whip, stun and catch their prey. Their top tail fin can grow to be three meters long – equivalent to up to half the length of their entire body. Their distinctive tail is useful for other purposes as well – the length helps them swim fast as they round up anchovies, herring and other schooling fish to then strike, stun and eat. They have a short, rounded snout and large eyes that are positioned close to the front of their head. Adults average around four to six metres in length. Even though they have a short snout, they still have around 50 rows of triangular, sharp teeth that help them catch the small fish they eat. Common thresher sharks are strong swimmers and can leap out of the water thanks to the speed and power generated by their long tail fin." oceana.ca/en/marine-life/common-thresher-shark

BROADNOSE SEVENGILL SHARK

Notorynchus cepedianus
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Belle Y1; Jasper Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK 

Save Our Seas/Broadnose Sevengill Shark:

"Broadnose sevengill cowsharks, named for their blunt nose and seven pairs of gills, are top predators that feed on a variety of high order prey, like marine mammals, fish and other chondrichthyans. This means they play a vital role in the shallow coastal ecosystems they inhabit. Intensive fishing pressure from target and non-target fisheries is the predominant threat to sevengills; it is estimated they have decreased by 30 to 49% in the past 60 years. Broadnose sevengills have been known to ‘spy-hop’, a behaviour more commonly associated with cetaceans. This is where an individual lifts its head out of the water to have a look around!" saveourseas.com/worldofsharks/species/broadnose-sevengill-cowshark

BLUE SHARK

Prionace glauca
Conservation Status: NEAR THREATENED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Amy California (LAM workshop)

Oceana/Blue Shark:

Blue sharks are curious, open-ocean predators that live throughout the global ocean, from the tropics to cold temperate waters. They spend most of their lives far from the coast and are truly a pelagic species. The common name comes from the blue color of the skin, unique among the sharks. Blue sharks are known to be highly migratory, with individuals making several trips across entire ocean basins throughout their lifetimes. The blue shark has one of the largest geographic distributions among the sharks and was historically one of the most (if not the most) common pelagic sharks in the world." oceana.org/marine-life/blue-shark

TIGER SHARK

Galeocerdo cuvier
Conservation Status: NEAR THREATENED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Finley Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Shark Trust/Tiger Shark:

Tiger Sharks are one of the largest sharks in the world. They belong to one of the largest family of sharks – the requiem sharks. Containing around 60 species, this group is primarily made up of powerful medium-large sized sharks, including the Bull Shark, Oceanic Whitetip, Blue Shark and Silky Shark. These sharks are quick and agile hunters and tend to have voracious appetites. Tiger Sharks in particular have gained a reputation for their eating habits, earning them their nickname ‘Dustbin of the Sea'. They’ll eat almost anything! Feeding on venomous sea snakes, clams, crabs, squid, fish, sharks, rays, turtles, seals, dolphins, birds, carrion, and even human rubbish! Bottles, paint cans, leather jackets, license plates, car tyres and Senegalese drums, have also been found in their stomachs. With such a varied diet, Tiger Sharks play a key role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems. By preying on the sick and old, they prevent the spread of disease across a broad range of species. Their mere presence also helps protect seagrass – a vital habitat for many marine species. It's thought Tiger Sharks live 20-37 years." sharktrust.org/Blog/creature-feature-tiger-shark

PACIFIC ANGEL SHARK

 

Squatina californica
Conservation Status: NEAR THREATENED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Lucie Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Oceana/Pacific Angel Shark:

"The Pacific angel shark is one of 23 angel sharks, noted for their flattened appearance that makes them resemble skates or rays. These flat sharks have broad pectoral fins and relatively large mouths, which they use to create intense negative pressure (suction) when feeding. Pacific angel sharks live on soft bottoms near rocky reefs and kelp forests. Their color patterns and flat bodies allow them to blend in very well with the seafloor, and they are able to pump water over their gills, allowing them to remain perfectly still. Pacific angel sharks are ambush predators that patiently wait for prey species – typically a variety of bony fishes and some small sharks – to swim a bit too close." oceana.org/marine-life/pacific-angel-shark/

SHOVELNOSE GUITARFISH

Pseudobatos productus
Conservation Status: NEAR THREATENED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Katie Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Oceana/Shovelnose Guitarfish:

"The shovelnose guitarfish is a relatively small-bodied ray that has the typical wing-like pectoral fins of all rays but a body that otherwise resembles a shark’s. Like most rays, this species lives on the seafloor, typically settled on soft sandy or muddy bottoms, often near rocky reefs. Shovelnose guitarfish have the ability to pump water over their gills, so they are able to remain perfectly motionless. The guitarfishes are a group of skates (as opposed to stingrays). They do not have barbs or “stingers” like some other rays, and they are totally harmless to people. Shovelnose guitarfish are directly targeted in small fisheries throughout much of their range. They are also accidentally captured in net fisheries targeting other species. In some areas (particularly in northern Mexico), their numbers have been depleted significantly, and scientists now believe that the species is near threatened with extinction." oceana.org/marine-life/shovelnose-guitarfish

GOBLIN SHARK

Mitsukurina owstoni 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Kellen Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach 

Shark Trust/Goblin Shark:

"Mysteriously slithering around the dark mesopelagic of the western Pacific, the glorious Goblin shark swims in search for their next meal. This illusive shark is one of the most unique-looking sharks to ever exist, having a long snout called a rostrum and protrusible jaws, hailing them their common name, Goblin. Their rostrum is covered with small pores called the ampullae of Lorenzini, jelly-filled pores in the snouts of many sharks that are able to pick up changes in the electro-magnetic field, for example the muscle contractions of nearby fish. However, these pores can only detect movement only a few inches in front of the shark! In addition to their rostrum, these sharks pose an amazing ability to protrude their jaws out or their cartilaginous skull by something called slingshot feeding. This is when the jaws are shot forward, extending 8.6-9.4% of the Goblin sharks total body length. However, this fast jaw action also creates a powerful suction-known as a pharyngeal suction-forcing their prey deeper into their mouths. While many sharks range from greys to blues to browns, this stupendous shark can be a very pale pink! However, this unusual colour is not from a pigment in their skin, but from the thinness of their skin! Their skin has such a great transparency that the oxygenated blood that flows in their capillaries-tiny blood vessels-causes what would be their grey skin, to become pink. This amazing ability might actually been an adaptation for the shark, they live 270m-1300 m deep, red light wavelengths cannot be seen, making the spectacular shark near invisible to both prey and predators!... Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, the Goblin shark is not an aggressive species, predating on mainly small bony fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods. Long slender teeth that protrude out from their jaws, appearing almost like blades, are perfect for clutching onto their prey. Nonetheless, the most threat they create towards humans is disrupting our internet as they are known to bite down onto submarine cables! Like many other shark species, Goblin sharks main threat is by-catch from deep-sea longlining and deep-sea trawling. They are listed by the IUCN as least concern. Unfortunately, being relatively understudied, this may be incorrect as there is a very minimal amount of knowledge about the lives of these sharks. Leaving the question: what else is there to know about the truly incredible Goblin shark?" www.sharktrust.org/Blog/creature-feature-goblin-shark

GREY SMOOTH-HOUND

Mustelus californicus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Conor Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK 

A member of the Houndshark family, the slender Grey Smooth-hound has beautiful oval eyes, a pointed snout and grows to around 1 metre in length. Harmless to humans, it is found from California to South Mexico and travels in schools. Grey Smooth-hounds also like to hangout with Leopard Sharks! 

LEOPARD SHARK

Triakis semifasci
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Nicole Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Leopard Shark:

"The leopard shark is more fish than cat, though these members of the hound shark family have beautifully patterned skin that resembles a leopard’s spots. These spots aren’t just for show – they are an evolutionary adaptation that helps these sharks blend into their surrounding environments. Leopard sharks are medium-sized sharks with long, slender bodies and broad but short snouts. They can... reach lengths between four and seven feet... Within their broad mouths are sharp-edged teeth that they replace throughout their lifetimes... Their tail is one of the species’ notable features as it is long and tapered, and the sideways swishing motion they use to move through the water creates an interesting visual... Their diet is mostly composed of food that lives on the seafloor or is attached to rocks... including crustaceans, octopus, bony fishes, fish eggs, and worms and other invertebrates... To hunt, leopard sharks may use their patterned skin to help them hide and strike when unsuspecting prey swims by, or they will use their snouts to shovel the sediment on the seafloor and reveal buried critters. How do they find hidden prey? Using electromagnetic receptors near their mouths to detect electromagnetic waves produced by living, moving organisms. Leopard sharks spend most of their lives near the seafloor and often rest on sandy areas of the seafloor... They can live near kelp forests or in rocky nearshore areas. They are not migratory but do often travel impressive distances of up to 100 miles from their home areas as food availability changes. These sharks are found on America’s West Coast, usually ranging from Oregon down to the Gulf of California in Mexico... Leopard sharks can live to be about 30 years old... The older the shark, the paler the interior portions of the spots appear... Leopard sharks can live independently or in groups of the same or mixed species... " marinesanctuary.org/blog/sea-wonder-leopard-shark

SWELL SHARK

Swell Shark Cephaloscyllium ventriosum
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Lane and Shane (age 10) California (CFF workshop); Lieta California (Laguna Beach High School workshop)

A member of the catshark family, the Swell Shark has striking spotted markings and beautiful, large, golden cat-like eyes. This harmless, nocturnal fish is so named 'swell' as it has a rather fascinating defense mechanism against predators - when threatened it swallows water causing it to double in size and making it harder to eat.  

FRILLED SHARK

Chlamydoselachus anguineus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Dylan Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Oceana/Frilled Shark:

"The frilled shark is a strange, prehistoric-looking shark that lives in the open ocean and spends much of its time in deep, dark waters far below the sea surface. Its long, cylindrical body reaches lengths of nearly 7 feet (2 m), and its fins are placed far back on the body. The frilled shark gets its name from the frilly appearance of its gill slits. Their normal swimming style, however, is distinctly eel-like, as they swim in a serpentine fashion. Frilled sharks are only very rarely encountered in the wild, so little is known about their ecology." oceana.org/marine-life/frilled-shark

BAT RAY

 

Myliobatis californica
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Ellie and Ismay Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Sterling age 5, California (LAM workshop)

With their flapping wings and mousey faces, Bat Rays do indeed resemble giant bats! A member of the eagle ray family, with wingspans of up to 5 feet, the Bat Ray inhabits kelp forests and sandy bays. Bat Rays are on the menu of sharks and California sea lions and are also captured to display in aquariums. 

THORNBACK RAY

Platyrhinoidis triseriata
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Ewan Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

The Thornback Ray, also known as the Thornback Guitarfish, is certainly a prickly fish, with three rows of thorns on its back. It likes to bury in the sand in kelp forests and lagoons and ranges from Northern California to the Gulf of California. 

ROUND STINGRAY

 

Urobatis halleri
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: STABLE
Drawings: Rachel California (Laguna Beach High School workshop); Elliott and Graham California (LAM workshop)

The Round Stingray as its name suggests is almost circular in shape and has a venomous spine in its tail. Round Stingrays inhabit coastal waters and are most prevalent in Southern California. 

HORN SHARK

 

Heterodontus francisci
Conservation Status: DATA DEFICIENT (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Jordan age 10, California (CFF workshop)

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Horn Shark:

"Appropriately named for the spines in front of their two dorsal fins and ridges over their eyes, horn sharks, are smaller, bottom-dwelling sharks that are also known for their beautiful spiral-shaped egg cases. Horn sharks can grow to be nearly four feet long... Within their mouths are two kinds of teeth: the front teeth, which are pointed and help them grasp prey, and the teeth along the sides of the mouth, which are larger and wider and help them crush the hard shells or exoskeletons of their prey. Despite being small, these sharks are mighty – horn sharks have the greatest known bite force of any shark relative to its size. Horn sharks are carnivorous, feeding on mollusks, echinoderms, and crustaceans, a favorite being the purple sea urchin. They are slow-moving, nocturnal predators and use their teeth to grab, trap, and crush prey they find along the sea floor. Horn sharks live in warmer temperate and subtropical regions of the eastern Pacific Ocean with a range that spans from central California down to the Gulf of California in Mexico... Young horn sharks live in deeper waters offshore, slowly migrating back to shallower waters as they mature. Adults live along the sea floor, with a preference for rocky reefs that allow them to hide among kelp, caves, and crevices. Each day, horn sharks return to the same hidden site to rest while avoiding their predators, which include seals, predatory birds like eagles, and larger sharks. Horn sharks are part of the bullhead shark family and can live up to 25 years, though the oldest observed horn shark is thought to have been approximately 50...Horn sharks are generally solitary, living near other individuals but not gathering in social groups for reasons other than hunting and breeding opportunities." marinesanctuary.org/blog/sea-wonder-horn-shark

BANDED GUITARFISH

Zapteryx exasperate
Conservation Status: DATA DEFICIENT (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: above: Sam Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Resembling a flattened guitar, the Banded Guitarfish has large eyes and mottled patterns across its body. It can reach up to nearly a metre in length. Inhabiting rocky reefs and sandy lagoons, the Banded Guitarfish ranges from Central California to Mexico.

OTHER MARINE FISH 

GIANT SEA BASS

Stereolepis gigas 
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings of juvenile and adult Sea Bass: Amanda California (LAM workshop); Ismay Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

National Park Service/Giant Sea Bass:

"The Giant Black Sea Bass is a unique species if not for any other reason than its extraordinary size. Its presence in the waters off of California and Baja California has played an important role in the health of the ecosystem in which it lives. With a position at or near the top of the food chain, it provides the balance required for an optimum marine environment. Prior to the 1950’s, this species of bony fish was very common to the near shore waters of Southern California. Due to over-fishing, their population was reduced to critically low levels. Back as far as the late 1970’s, the California Department of Fish and Game made it illegal to spearfish these giants. In 1982, both commercial and sport fishing of Giant Black Sea Bass was banned in California waters. It is estimated that the Giant Black Sea Bass is capable of growing to lengths of over 7 feet and weighing over 700 pounds." nps.gov/chis/learn/nature/giant-black-seabass

BOCACCIO ROCKFISH

Sebastes paucispinis
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNSPECIFIED
Drawing: George Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Reaching up to 3 feet long, Bocaccio Rockfish can live up to 50 years. Ranging from Baja California to Alaska. Threatened by over-fishing Bocaccio Rockfish are listed as critically endangered.

GREEN STURGEON

Acipenser medirostris
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List)
Population: 5,000- 6,000; population trend: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Sam and Ewan Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Biological Diversity/Green Sturgeon:

"Green sturgeon are large with shark-like tails, sandpaper-textured skin, and five widely separated rows of bony plates called scutes. Adults have long, narrow, shovel-like snouts with whisker-like sensory organs called barbels on the undersides, and toothless “vacuum cleaner” mouths with no teeth. They are generally olive green in color, with a stripe down each side. Green sturgeon are found in the ocean from the Bering Sea, Alaska, as far south as Ensenada, Mexico; they frequent estuaries and bays from British Columbia, Canada, to Monterey Bay, California, and river mouths from the Skeena River, British Columbia, to the Sacramento River, California, but are only found significant distances inland in a handful of rivers in Oregon and California...The southern population has been reduced to about 300 spawning fish annually, while the northern population has been extirpated from at least four former spawning rivers." biologicaldiversity.org/species/fish/greensturgeon

WHITE STURGEON

Acipenser transmontanus
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: STABLE
Drawing: Dylan Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

IUCN Red List/White Sturgeon:

"Generally anadromous (fish live in the sea and migrate to fresh water to breed (Britannica)), but some subpopulations are landlocked and spend their entire life cycle in freshwater. Acipenser transmontanus is the largest freshwater fish species in North America. The largest White Sturgeon on record weighed approximately 682 kg and was taken from the Snake River, Idaho in 1898. Individuals from landlocked subpopulations tend to be smaller. Across its global distribution, White Sturgeon has generation lengths within the range 54–70 years; three generations for the species is somewhere between 162 and 210 years." iucnredlist.org/species/234/97440736

OCEAN SUNFISH

Mola mola
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Gigi Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach

Oceana/OceanSunfish:

"Ocean sunfish are foraging predators that will eat a variety of food, but their preferred prey are jellyfishes. Jellyfishes are almost exclusively made up of water and are low in calories/nutrients, so a fish with a body as large as the ocean sunfish’s has to eat a whole lot of jellyfishes to support its weight. They have a surprisingly high growth rate and can gain hundreds of pounds in a year, so these jellyfish specialists are always on the hunt. Adults are too large to be threatened by any but the absolute largest potential predators, but medium-sized individuals are eaten by sea lions, killer whales, and large sharks. California sea lions are known to bite the fins off of small ocean sunfish and then play with them like frisbees... Ocean sunfish are occasionally captured in net fisheries targeting other species." oceana.org/marine-life/ocean-sunfish

CALIFORNIA SHEEPHEAD

Semicossyphus pulcher
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Robert and Ilyana Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Dakota age 10, California (CFF workshop); Poppy Y2 East Boldon Infants, UK

Ocean Conservancy/California Sheephead:

"California Sheephead are easily recognizable by their distinctive black and red colouring. They are also one of the biggest, toothiest fish in the kelp forest. The live in small groups along the rocky coastline of California. By day they forage for food, but at night they cover themselves in mucus and hide under rocks or in crevices to stay out of the eyes of predators. California sheephead are keystone predators, meaning they serve a very important role in the ecosystem. Their strong appetites are helpful to kelp forests. By feeding on lobsters and grazers, like urchins and gastropod mollusks, sheephead keep them from overgrazing on kelp. They help keep the forest healthy and in balance." oceanconservancy.org/wildlife-factsheet/california-sheephead

GIANT SEAHORSE

 

Hippocampus ingens
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Andy California (CFF workshop); Emily age 6 California (LAM workshop); Max Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Kash Reception, Matilda Y1, East Boldon Infant School, UK

Project Seahorse/Giant Seahorse:

"Extraordinarily large for a seahorse, Giant seahorses can grow to 31 cm long and are rivaled only by the big bellied seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) which can grow to 34 cm long. Pacific seahorse populations are typically confined to the coast that runs from California to Peru. Unfortunately, these gentle “giants” continue to be caught for use in cultural medicine, the aquarium trade, and the souvenir industry, and are presently listed as vulnerable." projectseahorse.org/gentle-underwater-giant-of-galapagos-the-pacific-seahorse

BLUE MARLIN

Makaira nigricans
Conservation Status: VULNERABLE (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Gunnar Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach 

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Blue Marlin:

"The blue marlin is one of the most recognizable fish in the ocean. They are known for their silver underside and striking cobalt blue along their backs. The spear-shaped bill that grows from the front of its head is one of the blue marlin’s most distinguishing features and what makes people confuse them for swordfish. The fin atop the marlin’s back is taller at the front and slopes downward, though it resembles the tall, sail-like fins of sailfish, another member of the billfish family...[B]lue marlin, females are much larger than males reaching lengths of up to 16 feet... Blue marlin are open ocean fish native to the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They are highly migratory and will follow warm waters (and their prey that rely on those warm waters) for hundreds or even thousands of miles... These predators are highly effective due to their speed, accuracy, and strength (which makes them challenging to catch and so desirable for sport fishermen). Near the ocean’s surface, blue marlin feed on smaller fish, mainly mackerel and tuna, and will eat squid when they are swimming at greater depths. To catch their prey, they will move their bill side to side, stunning their target before quickly swimming back around to catch and swallow their victim whole... Males have a maximum life span of about 18 years and females can live as long as 27 years. Throughout their lives, blue marlin will spend time alone and in schools. Nearly all fishes have cold blood, but billfishes like the blue marlin have specialized blood vessels that allow them to warm targeted parts of their body, primarily their brain and eyes. This physiological ability enhances their vision and thinking abilities and provides these hunters a huge advantage over their prey. Blue marlin are considered vulnerable by the IUCN red list but are not considered threatened or endangered by the Endangered Species Act. Populations are showing decline in several locations, mostly due to these fish being accidentally caught when they are not being targeted – a phenomenon called bycatch... Climate change, pollution, and other human activities also pose threats to the health of blue marlin populations throughout the world." marinesanctuary.org/blog/sea-wonder-blue-marlin

SWORDFISH

Xiphias gladius
Conservation Status: NEAR THREATENED (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Ethan, Dylan and Freddy Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Sterling age 5, California (LAM workshop)

Oceana/Swordfish:

"The swordfish’s bill differs from those of the other billfishes by being flat and blunt, rather than round and pointed. Like many open ocean bony fishes, swordfish start out as extremely tiny larvae, no more than a few millimeters long and weighing only a few hundredths of a gram. Soon after hatching, they already have a visible bill. Swordfish grow rapidly, and in the course of their lives they may increase their body weight by at least one million times." oceana.org/marine-life/swordfish

STRIPED MARLIN

Kajikia audax
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Anne, California (CFF workshop); Yasemin Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

IUCN Red List/Striped Marlin:

"Striped Marlin are widely distributed, pelagic and oceanodromous, usually found above the thermocline and shallower than 120 m...They generally inhabit cooler water than either Black Marlin or Blue Marlin...Striped Marlin are mostly solitary, but form small schools by size during the spawning season, and also are known to feed cooperatively on schooling prey...Striped Marlin are opportunistic feeders and are known to feed on a wide variety of fishes, crustaceans, and squids." www.iucnredlist.org/species/170309/170084118

YELLOWFIN TUNA

Thunnus albacares
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Lucy Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network/Yellowfin Tuna:

"Like all tuna, Thunnus albacares has a torpedo-shaped (fusiform) body that tapers at both ends and is highly hydrodynamic. Coloring is dark brownish-blue to metallic blue above the mid-section and yellowish silver on the belly with about 20 vertical silver bars...  Similar species that co-occur with yellowfin tuna include bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus), blackfin tuna (T. atlanticus), and albacore (T. alalunga). Bigeye tuna are generally heavier, more deep-bodied, and have shorter dorsal and anal fins than the yellowfin tuna... Thunnus albacares is a fast-growing species: at the age of 1.5 year old they weigh 7.5 lbs and by 4 year old they weigh 150lbs. Larger fish have been known to school with porpoises and school under floating vegetation.  The yellowfin tuna occupies the epipelagic zone, living above and below the thermocline, at temperatures of 65 to 88°F (18-31°C). It is generally found in the upper 330 feet (100 m) of the water column..." sanctuarysimon.org/dbtools/species-database/id/478/Thunnus/albacares/yellowfin-tuna

COMMON DOLPHIN FISH

Coryphaena hippurus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: STABLE
Drawings: above left: Leah and Jennifer Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Marlie, Jia and Ryan Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

IUCN Red List/Dolphinfish:

"Schools of Coryphaena hippurus can be found in open waters and near coastal areas. This species is found to a depth of 85 m. Its diet consists of smaller fishes, zooplankton, crustaceans, and squid. This species is fast-growing, and matures relatively early. Maximum size is 200 cm, but more commonly is found to 100 cm." www.iucnredlist.org/species/154712/4614989

PACIFIC BARRACUDA

Sphyraena argentea
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Owen B. Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach

IUCN Red List/Pacific Barracuda:

"This pelagic species is usually near shore or near the surface; often in small schools; young enter bays; feeds mainly on other fishes. It is found to 38m. It migrates south from the California coast during autumn, but may remain in front of the Mexican coast throughout the year. There are possible threats from commercial and sports fishing although it is unknown how this impacts the population. There is an annual migration from California south to Baja California in the winter which takes them to areas in the tropical eastern Pacific without fishing restrictions. ENSO events have been shown to expand the range and to depress the population." www.iucnredlist.org/species/178105/7488494

OPAH

 

Lampris guttatus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Layton Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Britannica/Opah:

"Opah, also called moonfish, any of two species of large marine fish of the family Lampridae. Lampris guttatus, is the only known fully warm-blooded fish. Although two species are recognized traditionally, some classifications suggest that anatomical evidence exists to divide L. guttatus into five species. A deep-bodied fish with a small toothless mouth, the opah grows to a length of about 2 metres (7 feet)..., although larger specimens have been reported. Both species are distinctively coloured, blue above and rosy below, with scarlet fins and jaws and round white spots on the body...The warm-bloodedness of L. guttatus results from a heat exchange system that takes place in the fish’s gills, which contain a densely packed network of veins and arteries. Heat generated by the movement of muscles in the opah’s pectoral fins, along with heat produced by other muscles, is transported to the gills through deoxygenated blood in the veins...The opah’s warm-bloodedness allows its heart to pump faster and its muscles to perform more efficiently than other deep-sea fish, giving the opah an advantage in speed over its prey." www.britannica.com/animal/opah-fish-genus

CALIFORNIA MORAY EEL

Gymnothorax mordax
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Owen Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

IUCN Red List/California Moray:

"[The California Moray] is a benthic species that is found common among rocks, dwelling in crevices or holes, usually with only head protruding. Very common in shallow reef areas. They feed mostly at night on crustaceans, octopuses and small fishes. They are a long-lived species..." www.iucnredlist.org/species/195761/2414316

WOLF-EEL

 

Anarrhichthys ocellatus 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Macy Y9 King Edward VI School, UK  

IUCN Red List/Wolf Eel:

This marine, demersal species occurs on rocky reefs and coastal areas with caves and crevices, where it finds refuge and spends most of the time. It has been recorded in open, sandy areas; however, it was associated with artificial structures where it found refuge...Despite being very territorial and having a strong homing instinct as adults, a juvenile of this species was recorded migrating 593 km between British Columbia and Washington...Older juveniles and adults feed exclusively on hard shelled prey, such as sea urchins...This species is serially monogamous and is thought to be able to establish new reproductive pairings within the same breeding season. In aquaria, pair bonding usually starts around 4 years of age... This species can attain a maximum standard length of 201.5 cm." www.iucnredlist.org/species/159099689/159100591

PACIFIC LAMPREY

Entosphenus tridentatus 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Chloe Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

US Forest Service/Pacific Lamprey:

"Lampreys belong to a primitive group of fishes that are eel-like in form but lack the jaws and paired fins of true fishes.  Pacific lampreys have a round sucker-like mouth, no scales, and gill openings...adult Pacific lampreys are characterized by the presence of 3 large anterior teeth and many smaller posterior teeth on the oral disc...As adults in the marine environment, Pacific lampreys are parasitic and feed on a variety of marine and anadromous fish including Pacific salmon, flatfish, rockfish, and pollock, and are preyed upon by sharks, sea lions, and other marine animals..." www.fs.usda.gov/detail/npnht/learningcenter/kids/?cid=stelprd3833880   

SPOTTED RATFISH

 

Hydrolagus colliei
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: INCREASING
Drawing: Jia Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

Oceana/Spotted Ratfish:

"Like sharks and rays, the chimaeras have skeletons made of cartilage rather than bone. This characteristic links those three groups of fishes and distinguishes them from the bony fishes. The spotted ratfish is a generalist predator and eats a variety of invertebrates and fishes associated with the seafloor. These include crabs, clams, and other hard-shelled prey, and the spotted ratfish has strong tooth plates, used to break apart these animals. Medium sized sharks and large bony fishes (e.g., the Pacific halibut) have been known to eat this species." oceana.org/marine-life/spotted-ratfish

Brotulotaenia nielseni

 

Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Will Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

IUCN Red List/Brotulotaenia nielseni:

"This benthopelagic species inhabits the continental slope. It has a maximum standard length of 31.2 cm." www.iucnredlist.org/species/137472890/137472975

STOUT BLACKSMELT

 

Pseudobathylagus milleri
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Kellan Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach

IUCN Red List/Stout Blacksmelt: 

"Pseudobathylagus milleri is a mesopelagic/bathypelagic species during its adult life stage, with epipelagic/mesopelagic planktonic eggs and larvae. This species has a depth range of 0-6,600 m." www.iucnredlist.org/species/155009/115260640

N.B. This species is also known as the 'owlfish' due to its large eyes.

NARROWNOSE CHIMAERA

Harriotta raleighana
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: STABLE
Drawing: Tyler Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

IUCN Red List/Narrownose Chimaera:

"This deepwater species primarily occurs over continental slopes at depths of 350−2,600 m. It has been observed with remote operated vehicles over soft mud and gravelly bottom substrates and sometimes in association with other deepwater chimaeroids. Similar to many other chimaeroids, adults and juveniles may occupy different habitats and an ontogenetic shift in depth occurs with large individuals occurring deeper than smaller individuals...Females grow larger than males. The maximum recorded size is 70 cm..." www.iucnredlist.org/species/60140/3088899

GARIBALDI

Hypsypops rubicundus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Juliet age 6 California (LAM workshop); Grace P. Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Mina Y2 East Boldon Infant School

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Garibaldi:

"Garibaldi are vibrant, orange fishes that are part of the damselfish family (Pomacentridae). Their coloration and body features often lead people to mistake them for marine goldfish. In fact, they are so noticeable and stunning that the state of California made them the official state marine fish! The most striking feature of garibaldi is their uniform and bright orange appearance. Juveniles have slightly different coloration, with a deeper red to their overall appearance and electric blue spots all over, including their fins...Garibaldi are the largest species of damselfish and can reach lengths of 15 inches or more... They are covered in scales, have lips that are disproportionately larger than their small mouths, and have a heart-shaped tail fin, which they move in a side-to-side motion to swim...Garibaldi are omnivorous fish with a diet composed mostly of bottom-dwelling invertebrates and algal growth. Prey include marine worms, anemones, sponges, crabs, shrimp, and sea stars... Garibaldi generally hunt during the day and use their protruding lips and teeth to help them pull algae off of surfaces and unsuspecting prey out from under the sediment or beneath rocks. The sponges in their diets may enhance the bright coloration of these fishes. Several larger animals eat garibaldi, including sharks, seals and sea lions, and even birds like pelicans. Garibaldi are native to waters off the West Coast of North America, specifically in California and Mexico. They prefer subtropical and temperate waters and live on rocky reefs and among kelp beds that are close to the shore... Garibaldi can live to be as old as 20, but 10 to 12 years old is the average lifespan...Garibaldi are fairly territorial, defending their nesting sites when threatened, and prefer to live independently from other individuals..." marinesanctuary.org/blog/sea-wonder-garibaldi

REDTAIL TRIGGERFISH

Xanthichthys mento
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Evie and Chloe Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Freya Reception, Daisy and Lucy Y1, Isaac Y2 East Boldon Infant School, UK

IUCN Red List/Redtail Triggerfish:

[This beautiful triggerfish is also known as the cross-hatch fish] "is found on outer-reef areas and drop-offs. Individuals feed on zooplankton...it is associated with coral reef habitats which in some areas of its range have been degraded by water pollution, human population pressures, overfishing, tourism, Crown of Thorns outbreaks and coral bleaching. This species is occasionally seen within the aquarium trade." www.iucnredlist.org/species/154974/4680982

BLUE BANDED GOBY

Lythrypnus dalli
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: STABLE
Drawings: Lucy, Martha and Alannah Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

IUCN Red List/Lythrypnus dalli:

"This demersal species is found in open rocky areas and reefs to 75 m depth, but often retreats to crevices or holes or hides among spines of sea urchins when threatened. It is territorial." www.iucnredlist.org/species/183363/8100277

PAINTED GREENLING

 

Oxylebius pictus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Grace Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

IUCN Red List/Painted Greenling:

"This marine, demersal fish inhabits rocky reefs in the intertidal and subtidal areas, characterized by high relief topography, as well as kelp forests, pilings and wharves. Individuals are solitary and territorial defending relatively small home ranges. Males generally occur in all male areas where they maintain a home range smaller than 10 m², in central high relief areas of the reef, that include spawning sites and shelter holes. Females generally inhabit peripheral, lower relief areas of the reef, where they maintain larger home ranges that include several male spawning sites, and defend shelter holes...This species is a facultative commensal of the anemones Urticina lofotensis and Urticina piscivora, however it associates more often with the first (Elliot 1992)... The skin's mucous coating protects the fish from the anemone’s tentacles, and they can find shelter in them..." www.iucnredlist.org/species/158882686/158883848 

KELP GREENLING

Hexagrammos decagrammus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Regan Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

IUCN Red List/Kelp Greenling:

This species can be found intertidally and subtidally over rocky reefs, kelp beds and eelgrass habitats, typically up to 50 meters deep but sometimes deeper. Individuals are solitary and tend to stay within 3 meters of benthic substrates, where they sometimes rest. Once settled this species is thought to establish home ranges of 500 – 3,000 m² that they actively defend. Kelp Greenlings are diurnal generalist mesopredators that feed on a variety of crustaceans, worms and small fish, and are preyed upon by many species such as rockfish, pinnipeds and seabirds...Kelp Greenling can attain a maximum total length of 63 cm, despite rarely growing over 50 cm, and live up to 25 years... Like other species of the genus Hexagrammos, males guard nests with up to 11 separate clutches of eggs, often in different stages of development and from different females..." www.iucnredlist.org/species/158882453/158883838

ROCK GREENLING

Hexagrammos lagocephalus  
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Shareidy Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana

IUCN Red List/Rock Greenling:

"This demersal species can be found in exposed coastal areas, over rocky bottoms associated with vegetation and kelp, that it uses for feeding, shelter and egg laying, avoiding completely open areas. Despite being a marine species, it can also occur in brackish water and estuaries. Rock Greenlings have a patchy distribution in habitat being either absent or found in groups... This species feeds mainly at night and on the bottom surface, on a wide food spectrum consisting mainly of algae, invertebrates and small fish, but can also hunt larger prey in groups... Rock Greenlings can attain a maximum length of 58 cm, with females generally larger than males, and live up to 18 years... Females lay 14,400 – 103,000 eggs that are probably guarded by males, like other species of the genus." www.iucnredlist.org/species/158882544/158883843

THREEBANDED BUTTERFLY FISH

Chaetodon humeralis
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: STABLE
Drawings: Sarah Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Emily Y2 East Boldon Infant School

This attractive butterfly fish inhabits rocky reefs and is found in the Eastern Pacific, including California.

GRUNT SCULPIN

Rhamphocottus richardsonii
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Tom and Lucy Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

IUCN Red List/Grunt Sculpin:

"This marine, demersal species occurs in shallow coastal areas with rocky bottoms and sandy areas mixed with rubble, where it finds refuge in rocky cracks and empty barnacle shells. Despite being more abundant in shallow waters in the northern part of their range, this species can occur in deeper waters in southern areas...It feeds on small crustaceans, fish larvae and zooplankton, and can attain a maximum total length of 9.3 cm. Grunt sculpins can live to at least 13 years of age..." www.iucnredlist.org/species/158882723/158883853

SAILFIN SCULPIN

Nautichthys oculofasciatus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Alice and Kiera Y1, Ollie Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK

IUCN Red List/Sailfin Sculpin:

[Aptly named for its sail like fin] "This marine, demersal species is associated with rocky areas and outcroppings with dense algal coverage, tidepools and the intertidal zone... Its coloration makes it cryptic, especially among seaweed. This nocturnal species can reach a maximum length of 20 cm and feeds mainly on small crustaceans..." www.iucnredlist.org/species/158882395/158883833

BENNETT'S FLYINGFISH

Cheilopogon pinnatibarbatus 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Jose Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana; Scarlette Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach

IUCN Red List/Bennett's Flyingfish:

"This epipelagic species is found in cooler near-shore waters, and around islands. It is able to leap out of the water, and glide over the water surface for long distances. It feeds on zooplankton and small fishes." www.iucnredlist.org/species/155104/4708020

BAY PIPEFISH

 

Syngnathus leptorhynchus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: William Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach

IUCN Red List/Bay Pipefish:

"Syngnathus leptorhynchus is found at depths to 150 metres in near-shore eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds, in which it spends much of its life cycle. It has also been documented over sand and pebble substrates, and has been found between habitat patches, indicating mobility and dispersal between suitable habitat locations. Zostera marina is the most widely distributed seagrass throughout temperate waters in the Pacific (and Atlantic) oceans in the northern hemisphere.
This species can be used as an indicator species for monitoring eelgrass habitats because of its dependency on these habitats and its important role in the biomass (as a common resident) and functional ecology (as an important role in the production of organic detritus) of eelgrass beds. This species feeds on small crustaceans and other zooplankton. As with most other members of the Syngnathidae, S. leptorhynchus relies on stealth and camouflage to catch unsuspecting prey." www.iucnredlist.org/species/65374916/67621840

CALIFORNIA SCORPIONFISH

Scorpaena guttata
Conservation Status: DATA DEFICIENT (IUCN Red List)
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: McKana Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach

IUCN Red List/California Scorpionfish:

"This is a demersal species found in rocky, sandy and rubble substrata. It is found at depths to 183 m, but is more commonly observed above 30 m. It feeds on mobile benthic crustaceans, octupuses, squid, cuttlefish, and bony fishes. This species usually occurs in rocky areas of bays and along shores, especially in caves and crevices. It has venomous spines..." www.iucnredlist.org/species/183715/8163197

TREEFISH

Sebastes serriceps
Conservation Status: UNLISTED ON IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Oliver, Mia and Leigha and Kaden (age 4) California (Laguna Beach High School workshop)

This striking, nocturnal feeding rockfish, inhabits kelp forests and rocky areas of the Eastern Pacific.

FLAG ROCKFISH

Sebastes rubrivinctus
Conservation Status: UNLISTED ON IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Jess Y10 Kepier Academy, UK 

This rocky reef fish is suitably named after its vertical white and red stripes.

QUILLBACK ROCKFISH

 

 

Sebastes maliger
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Mr Akhtar (Teacher) King Edward VI School, UK 

The Quillback Rockfish, with its impressive set of venomous spines, ranges from Alaska to Southern California and can grow up to 1 metre in length.

ROSY ROCKFISH

 

Sebastes rosaceus
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Olivia Y10 Kepier Academy, UK 

Named after its rosy hue, this rockfish like all members of the Scorpaenidae family, has venomous spines.

CANARY ROCKFISH

 

Sebastes pinniger
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Olivia Y10 Kepier Academy, UK 

Named after its rosy hue, this rockfish like all members of the Scorpaenidae family, has venomous spines.

CHINA ROCKFISH

Sebastes nebulosus
Conservation Status: UNLISTED (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Evan Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Ms Apthorpe (Teaching Assistant) King Edward VI School, UK; Lewis Y2 East Boldon Infant School 

This long-living rockfish has beautiful mottled markings in black, yellow and white. 

MARINE MOLLUSCSS

RED ABALONE

Haliotis rufescens
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List) 
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Lucas Y2 East Boldon Infant School, UK; Halle age 10, California (CFF workshop) 

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network/Red Abalone:

"Haliotis rufescens is the largest abalone in North America...[It] is easily distinguished by its great size and the three or four open and elevated apertures in its shell. Occasionally there can be more or less apertures and older apertures may be sealed off. The shape of its shell is overall somewhat flattened and beret-shaped. The color is brick-red with occasionally bands of green or white and the inner surface is iridescent blue, green, and pinkish. The head, tentacles, scalloped mantle and mantle tentacles are black... [They] can grow to be 30 cm long...Haliotis rufescens has been prized throughout human history for its beautiful iridescent shell which was used in jewelry... [A]nimals approaching full size may be well over 20 years old. As the abalones grow and secret new shell, their diet strongly influences the color... Only when red algae are a significant part of their food source is the shell red or brownish... Haliotis rufescens often occurs in aggregations and clings to rocks with its great muscular foot... This ability to suction onto rocks is the abalone's main means of defense against predators. The strong foot also makes Haliotis rufescens capable of significant movement. Even so, they usually remain stationary, occupying crevices or other suitable spots and may remain in the same area their entire life. As a result of their sedentary lifestyle, they can easily become covered with marine growths and serve as refuges for other small creatures. An individual shell may support a community of algae, sponges, barnacle, bryozoan and hydroids. In fact, as many as 90 species of small gastropods have been found living on Haliotis rufescens shells. However, if it is pursued by predatory seastars, Haliotis rufescens will actively move away by shuffling forward on its massive muscular foot. Haliotis rufescens does not have a brain. Instead its nervous system consists of a nerve center with nerve chords, leading to ganglia, which control the animal's movements. It does have eyes, however, they can only detect vague contrasts between light and dark. The distinctive apertures on the abalone's shell are its means to discharge water that has been used by the gills...Haliotis rufescens is preyed heavily upon by humans and Southern Sea Otters, but also by a variety of other animals including crabs, octopus, fishes, and seastars, such as the Sunflower Star and the Ochre Star..." sanctuarysimon.org/dbtools/species-database/id/120/Haliotis/rufescens/red-abalone

PINTO ABALONE

Haliotis kamtschatkana 
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List) 
Population: DECREASING
Drawings: Brooke Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

Center for Biological Diversity/Pinto Abalone:

"Highly valued for its edible muscular foot and mother-of-pearl shell, the pinto abalone has declined significantly in recent decades and faces extinction...The pinto abalone is a marine snail found in scattered patches in rocky areas of the intertidal zone off North America's West Coast, from Alaska to California. Pinto abalone are part of the kelp forest ecosystem, a sensitive habitat that has been disrupted from its natural state by human activities for hundreds of years, beginning with the near-extirpation of sea otters for the fur trade, and continuing with overharvest of marine invertebrates — including the pinto abalone. Living at relatively shallow depths, pinto abalone were easily harvested by people, and once supported commercial, recreational and aboriginal fisheries. The mollusk's populations dropped precipitously over the past few decades, mainly due to rampant overharvest for the commercial market. Closure of all commercial fisheries has done little to halt population declines. The pinto abalone has now virtually disappeared from its historical range in California. Poaching is a major threat to pinto abalone, which fetch a high price on the Asian market, spurring continued illegal harvest. The few pinto abalone left in the wild are often too far apart to breed..." www.biologicaldiversity.org/species/invertebrates/pinto_abalone/index.html

CALIFORNIA TWO-SPOT OCTOPUS

Octopus bimaculoides
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Lucia Y10 Kepier Academy, UK; Malina, Daniel and Morgan California (CFF workshop) 

Ocean Conservancy/California Two-spot Octopus:

"You can easily identify this colorful octopus by the circular blue eyespots on each side of its head. This octopus prefers living in shallow ocean waters—and relies on being able to reach the sandy bottoms of the water in order to hide in rocks and crevices found there. The California two-spot octopus is reported to be the friendliest octopus. While most octopuses will immediately swim away—when approached—this octopus doesn’t seem to mind the company of others, even if they only have two arms."oceanconservancy.org/blog/2018/12/13/8-octopuses-need-meet

NORTH PACIFIC BIG-EYED OCTOPUS

Enteroctopus californicus
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Josephine Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

IUCN Red List/North Pacific Big-eyed Octopus:

"This species occurs on mid-depth muddy and muddy sand substrates...in the hypoxic Santa Barbara Basin where it is able to regulate oxygen consumption down to the limit of detectable oxygen partial pressure." www.iucnredlist.org/species/163119/974426

GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS

Enteroctopus dofleini
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Logan age 10, California (LAM workshop); Henry Y2, East Boldon Infant School, UK

Oceana/Giant Pacific Octopus:

"Aside from being the largest of all octopuses, the giant Pacific octopus is also recognizable by its typical reddish-pink color. The octopus is equipped with special pigment cells, called chromatophores, just below the surface of the skin that allow it to change color and blend in with rocky or coral-laden surroundings. Octopuses are actually mollusks—their shells are located in the head as two small plates and the rest of their body is soft. Since they lack a protective outer shell, octopuses like the giant Pacific octopus, use their camouflage abilities to stay safe. When threatened, octopuses can also cloud predators in black ink. The ink is toxic and can be deadly to octopuses if confined to a small space with little current flow. Giant Pacific octopuses spend most of their lives alone. They hunt at night for shrimp, clams, lobsters and fish, but have also been known to eat small sharks using their beak-like mouths to puncture prey. Along with eight arms, an octopus also has three hearts and nine brains. Two of the three hearts pump blood to the gills, while the third circulates blood to the rest of the body. Octopuses use one central brain to control their nervous systems and a small brain in each arm to control movement. Octopuses, including the giant Pacific octopus, are also known for having blue blood thanks to a copper-rich protein called hemocyanin in their bloodstream, which is efficient for oxygen transport in cold ocean environments. Giant Pacific octopuses only live an average four to five years in the wild, yet they are still considered one of the longest-living octopus species. Octopuses typically die shortly following breeding. After mating, a female will lay up to 74,000 eggs or more in a deep den or cave and live there for seven months watching over them. During this time, dedicated mothers won’t venture out for food, and shortly after the young hatch, the mother will die..." oceana.org/marine-life/giant-pacific-octopus/

WINGED ARGONAUT

Argonauta hians
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Josephine Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

Ocean Conservancy/Paper Nautilus:

[The winged argonaut also known as the] "paper nautilus is a true anomaly in the cephalopod world. Despite its name, the paper nautilus—also known as an argonaut—is not a nautilus at all. It’s actually an octopus! Argonauts are part of the family Argonautidae, which includes four species: the greater argonaut, the winged argonaut, Böttger’s argonaut and the knobby argonaut. Although they look similar to real nautiluses, their thin “shell” is completely different from the complex, chambered shells of their cephalopod cousins. Paper nautiluses are found in the open ocean in temperate and tropical waters. All are pelagic, meaning that they live in the water column. This is a different strategy than that of other octopuses who live on the ocean floor so they can dart into holes and crevices for protection. They don’t live very long—typically less than a year—and feed on small mollusks, crustaceans and jellyfish. Paper nautiluses are sexually dimorphic, meaning the males and females look very different from each other. Females are up to eight times larger and 600 times heavier than males, and they’re the only ones who have shells...The primary function of the paper nautilus’ thin shell is to protect eggs! Unlike other octopuses, who hide their eggs in protective nooks on the ocean floor, paper nautiluses secrete a thin calcite shell in which they lay their eggs. The mother then then carries her eggs—up to 170,000 of them—around with her until they hatch. But a nursery isn’t the only function of the paper nautilus’ shell—it can also serve as a flotation device. The animals can trap bubbles of air in the thin shell, which allows them to stay buoyant in the water column. This can help the females save energy as they drift along..." oceanconservancy.org/blog/2020/10/05/paper-nautilus

EAST PACIFIC RED OCTOPUS

Octopus rubescens 
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Thomas Reception, Henry Y1, East Boldon Infant School, UK 

IUCN Red List/Octopus rubescens

"This species is considered to be the most common species of octopus in the north-eastern Pacific. It lives in rocky areas and migrates further offshore during winter and migrates back inshore during the spring for spawning. Individuals typically live for 12 to 18 months, of which their first 1 to 2 months of their life cycle are occupied by a planktonic stage. Fully grown adults measure 10.0 cm in mantle length, while juveniles measure 2.0 cm in mantle length. The species is mostly active at night when it feeds on crustaceans, molluscs and small fish." www.iucnredlist.org/species/163145/977068

FOOTBALL OCTOPUS

Ocythoe tuberculata
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Jacob B. Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana; Jack Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach 

A pelagic (meaning the water column over deep water) species, the football octopus inhabits temperate oceans including the Pacific Ocean off California. Unlike most octopus species, the football octopus has a swim bladder which controls its buoyancy. 

FLAPJACK OCTOPUS

Opisthoteuthis californiana
Conservation Status: DATA DEFICIENT (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Rebecca and Sterling (age 5) California (LAM workshop)

With its large eyes and ear-like fins, the Flapjack Octopus is deemed to be one of the most adorable creatures in the ocean and is also known as 'adorablis'. A species of umbrella octopus, also referred to as Dumbo octopuses after the Disney character 'Dumbo' the elephant and its large ears, this deep sea octopus can live in waters up to 1500m deep.

BLACK-EYED SQUID

Gonatus onyx
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Ewan Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

So named after its large black eyes, Gonatus onyx lives in the ocean depths and rises at night to feed. 

OPALESCENT INSHORE SQUID

Doryteuthis opalescens
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Amber Y10 Kepier Academy, UK 

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network/Market Squid:

[Known as the Opalescent Inshore Squid or Market Squid] Doryteuthis opalescens belongs to the class Cephalopoda along with other squid, octopuses, cuttlefish, and the chambered nautilus. Squid are the fastest swimmers among marine invertebrates. When swimming slowly they use only fin thrust, like most fish. But in order to move fast, they use jet propulsion, which involves contracting a belt of muscles to squirt water from their mantle cavity through funnel. Using jet population they can reach a speed of 8 body lengths per second and in contrast to most fish, squid can readily swim either forward or backward. Squid only have to rotate their funnel 180 degrees in order to change direction. Like other cephalopods, Loligo opalescens can exhibit dramatic color changes. This is due to the presence of tens of thousands of chromatophores all over the body that create rapid, rippling flashes of red, brown, orange and yellow. These color changes are under neural control and appear to be related to activities such as feeding, mating and communication versus the need for camouflage. Doryteuthis opalescens has an impressively complex eye, containing a cornea, iris, lens and retina, all components of a vertebrate eye. Cephalopods, like Doryteuthis opalescens, also have a complex nervous system. They have half a billion nerve cells, one third of them in the brain, which is more than any other invertebrate and even more than many fishes and most reptiles. It is believed that this exceptional vision and complex brain allow cephalopods to have uncommon intelligence. For example, octopus, which are in the Cephalopod class, have been conditioned to respond to geometric patterns, learned to initiate the behavior of others and showed to have excellent long term memory. Doryteuthis opalescens contains ink, and may escape danger from predators by releasing an ink cloud that is both dark and distasteful. This cloud can confuse and blind predators ..."  sanctuarysimon.org/dbtools/species-database/id/154/Doryteuthis/opalescens/market-squid

STRAWBERRY SQUID

Histioteuthis heteropsis
Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Matilda and Katie, Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

With its bright red colour and seed-like photophores (light-emitting organs) on its body, it's easy to see why this squid is known as the Strawberry squid! It is also known as the cock-eyed squid as it has one large eye and one small eye. It inhabits the Twilight Zone of the ocean also known as the Mesopelagic Zone.

STUBBY SQUID

 

Rossia pacifica
Conservation Status: DATA DEFICIENT (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Mrs Apthorpe (Teaching Assistant) Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Stubby Squid:

"The stubby squid is a small cephalopod (a family of marine animals that includes octopus, squid, and nautilus) that is closely related to the cuttlefish, with an average length of six centimeters at maturity. It has eight tentacles or arms with suckers and two retractable tentacles like squid. The head or mantle is oblong and rounded, and their coloration ranges from red-brown to grey-green, and they can change colors to match their environmental or ecological context. Stubby squid live in the northern Pacific Ocean and can be found in the waters between Japan and Southern California. They live in colder waters and prefer to stay near the seafloor, living in sandy or muddy habitats ranging from 60 to 4,260 feet deep, but are most commonly found at a depth of about 3,000 feet...Stubby squid spend the days buried in the sand, leaving only their eyes exposed, and are nocturnal hunters. They eat using a hardened beak at the center of their bodies with a diet comprised of mostly shrimp, but will also feed on crabs, mollusks, small fish, and other cephalopods. They move their fins or push water from their body cavities to move around, and they leave behind a blob of black ink when disturbed. While the stubby squid can change its color, it can activate a mucus membrane on its body that clings to sand, rocks, and other sediment, creating a camouflage jacket..." marinesanctuary.org/blog/creature-feature-googly-eyed-stubby-squid

KELLET'S WHELK

Kelletia kelletii
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Timi Y10 Kepier Academy, UK 

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network/Kellet's Whelk:

"Kelletia kelletii is among the largest gastropods on the central California coast. The knobbed, purple-green shell of adults is conch-like in appearance, and unlike any other shell one will encounter in California...Kelletia kelletii occurs on both rocky reef and soft bottom habitats. It is often considered a resident of kelp forests, but also occurs in adjacent sandy habitats, and is often buried under sand or shelly debris. It is possible that it occurs in more habitats, but to our knowledge, it is often found iin or near rocky reefs... The robust shell of Kelletia kelletii has heavy sculpturing (varices) crossed by very thin spiral lines. Natural shell color is white with brown spiral lines, but as they age, the shell is covered with either light green or purple algae. The foot tissue of the snail is yellow with a few black stripes and numerous white spots. Usually found in kelp forests, Kelletia kelletii can be found in rocky crevices, crawling on the reef, or buried under sand or shell debris... Kelletia kelletii is consumed by sea otters, sea stars, moon snails, and octopus. Kelletia kelletii consumes a wide variety of prey and will scavenge when possible. It actively attacks and consumes turban snails, worm snails, and sessile annelid worms..." sanctuarysimon.org/dbtools/species-database/id/136/Kelletia/kelletii/kellets-whelk

CALIFORNIA CONE

Californiconus californicus
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Isabella Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana 

California Cones, inhabit the waters of coastal California. Small in size, these predatory sea snails feed on fish and molluscs.

SPANISH SHAWL

Flabellinopsis iodinea
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Michelle California (LAM workshop)

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Spanish Shawl:

"The Spanish shawl is a strikingly beautiful species of sea slug that is almost impossible to miss. Admire their beauty all you want but resist the temptation to touch! Their vibrant coloration isn’t just for show, it is a natural form of defense that allows these marine invertebrates to blend in with their environment and signal to potential predators that they may be poisonous. The most notable characteristic of Spanish shawls is their neon-colored bodies. They have purple-pink bodies, orange fringe, and two red rhinophores atop their heads. The rhinophores resemble rabbit ears or antennae and allow the animals to interpret smell and taste signals from their surrounding environments. The fringe on their backs are a set of organs called cerata, which function both as gills that remove oxygen from the surrounding environment and as extensions of the digestive system; the cerata contain stinging cells at the tips. When fully grown, Spanish shawls reach lengths of nearly three inches... Their jelly-like bodies are primarily made of water... They eat hydroids, a family of invertebrates that are related to sea anemones, jellyfish, and corals. The hydroids they primarily feed on are part of the family, Eudendriidae, which are known as tree hydroids, provide Spanish shawls with the biological building blocks that give them their brilliant hues – a toxin called astaxanthin. Spanish shawls can’t produce their own stinging cells, but instead store it after eating animals that can, a biological process known as chemical sequestration... A larger sea slug, the navanax, is one of the few known natural predators of Spanish shawls and has a biological immunity to the shawls’ stinging cells...The maximum lifespan of a Spanish shawl is short – from a few months to a year... They can use their muscular “foot” structure on their undersides to crawl along the ocean floor, leaving behind a sticky trail of mucus, or, unlike most other nudibranchs, they can swim. To do so, they contort their entire bodies back and forth into a U-like shape. Their name comes from this movement, which looks like a fringed fabric shawl floating in the ocean..." marinesanctuary.org/blog/sea-wonder-spanish-shawl

CALIFORNIA AGLAJA 

Navanax inermis
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Leland California (LAM workshop)

University of San Diego/California Aglaja

"A predatory sea snail. Capable of using defensive strategies such as alarm pheromones - chemicals that can be sensed by other members of its species in order to communicate danger." under-morro-bay.ucsd.edu/invertebrates/california-aglaja

CALIFORNIA BLUE DORID

Felimare californiensis
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Shannon Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Los Angeles Times article/Felimare californiensis:

"...The Chromodoris nudibranch first named for the University of California in 1901 had vanished for decades from its native habitat in Southern California, until one was spotted off Catalina Island in 2003. Now, steady sightings have led marine biologists to believe it is making a comeback, for reasons yet to be determined... The slug, which grows to about 3 or 4 inches long, once was abundant in tide pools on the mainland and in the Channel Islands. It was also found at locales including an artificial reef made of old streetcars off Redondo Beach, and on pilings in Newport Beach. Populations of the species also thrived - without the apparent recent collapse - in Mexico..." www.latimes.com/science/la-xpm-2013-mar-19-la-sci-sn-uc-sea-slug--20130318-story.html

MCDONALD'S DORID

 

Limacia mcdonaldi
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Lily Y9 King Edward VI School, UK

University of California Santa Cruz article/Limacia mcdonaldi:

"Researchers studying a colorful group of sea slugs (also called nudibranchs) found along the California coast have named a new species in honor of Gary McDonald, a long-time staff member at UCSC's Long Marine Laboratory. The new species, Limacia mcdonaldi (McDonald's dorid), is white with a striking pattern of orange-red coloring on the tips of small stalks and clubs on its body. About an inch long, it is found along the coast from Baja California to Sonoma County..."news.ucsc.edu/2017/03/new-species.html

OPALESCENT NUDIBRANCH

Hermissenda opalescens
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Caden Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach

Morro Bay National Estuary Program/Opalescent Nudibranch:

"...Found throughout the Central California coast, these brightly-colored carnivores are often the first nudibranchs to astonish and delight the humans venturing into their intertidal world during seasonal low tides. Nudibranchs are shell-less marine mollusks that primarily prey on live hydroids and sponges, depending on the species of nudibranch. While many nudibranchs’ diet is highly specialized, often limited to a single species, Opalescent Nudibranchs are a bit more voracious. They have been documented eating hydroids, bryozoans, small anemones, jellyfish, and even each other. Not only are they impervious to the stinging cells—called nematocysts—of their prey, they actually absorb the nematocysts intact. These ‘stolen’ nematocysts are stored in the white-tipped “fluffs” on the Opalescent Nudibranch’s back, called its cerata, part of a specialized digestive tract that also doubles as a respiratory system. This is an excellent defensive mechanism for an animal that is otherwise relatively defenseless and slow. If a predatory fish ignores the flashy warning colors of the Opalescent Nudibranch and goes in for a bite, it gets the same sting it would as if it had bitten an anemone or a hydroid... Given their pugnacious nature, it comes in very handy that Opalescent Nudibranchs can regenerate critical sensory body parts that are lost to predators or others of their own kind..."  www.mbnep.org/2019/07/12/sea-slug-of-the-month-morro-bays-gateway-nudi-opalescent-nudibranch

MARINE CRUSTACEANS

CALIFORNIA BAY PEA CRAB

 

Parapinnixa affinis
Conservation Status: ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List) 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Katie Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

IUCN Red List/Parapinnixa affinis:

[Known as the California Bay pea crab this small crab, its shell measuring up to 6mm, is endemic to Southern California and] "Lives as a symbiont, it inhabits the tubes and burrows of marine polychaete worms." www.iucnredlist.org/species/16185/5504008

SHEEP CRAB

Loxorhynchus grandis
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Andrew Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana

Aptly named for the green woolly algae that grows on the bodies of adults, the Sheep crab is the largest of coastal California's crabs. Male Sheep Crab's shells can measure up to 24cm. This long-legged scavenger species has a life span of up to 4 years. 

STRIPED SHORE CRAB

Pachygrapsus crassipes
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Lauren California (CFF workshop); Cherie California (LAM workshop)

Morro Bay National Estuary Program/Striped Shore Crab:

"The striped shore crab is a type of crustacean, about one to two inches (or 3 to 5 centimeters) wide.  Their carapace (i.e. hard, upper shell) is a very dark purple, red, or even green, and lined with bright yellow-green stripes. Though this color combination makes striped shore crabs eye catching when you see them out in the open, it helps them disappear into dark, rocky crevices where they hide amongst sea lettuce, rock weed, and bits of kelp. Its pincers, also known as chelae, are often a deep red. Male striped shore crabs are slightly larger than the females. Striped shore crabs live all along the West Coast of North America, from Baja California, Mexico, in the south, to Vancouver Island, Canada, in the north. If you look carefully, you can find striped shore crabs in estuaries, tidepools, mussel beds, in the burrows they sometimes dig into sandy banks, or scuttling along shoreline rocks. The variety of habitats they exist in mirrors the variety of foods they’ll eat. Though they feed mostly on green and red algae and diatoms (a kind of phytoplankton) growing on the water or rocks around them, they are opportunistic and will also eat animals including dead fish, limpets, snails, isopods, worms, and mussels...How to protect striped shore crabs: Wherever you find striped shore crabs and other wildlife, please observe from a distance. This lets the crabs stay safe, find and eat the food they need to survive, and keep away from predators. In short, leaving the crabs to their own devices helps them stay alive and wild." www.mbnep.org/2021/05/14/morro-bay-wildlife-spotlight-striped-shore-crab-pachygrapsus-crassipes

TUNA CRAB

Pleuroncodes planipes
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Coban Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Karen California (LAM workshop)

Scripps Institution of Oceanography/Pleuroncodes planipes:

"Commonly called "red crabs" because of their orange to red color.  Also have been referred to as "tuna crabs."  There are 5 zoeal stages characterized by large eyes, a long serrated rostrum, and elongate postero-lateral carapace spines.  It is not a true crab.Normal geographical range is off Baja California. During warming events, especially stronger El Niño's, they can be abundant off Southern California to Central California. They occur in vast pelagic swarms and can be found washed up on local beaches in large numbers." sio-legacy.ucsd.edu/zooplanktonguide/species/pleuroncodes-planipes

RED ROCK CRAB

Cancer productus
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Leo Y1, Daniel and Lucy Y2 East Boldon Infant School, UK

Red Rock Crabs range from Alaska to Baja California. Using its large pincers it eats barnacles and small crabs.

BLUEBAND HERMIT CRAB

Pagurus samuelis
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: David Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Often spotted in rockpools along the Californian coast, the Blueband Hermit Crab, named after the bands on its legs, is it found as far North as Alaska. Hermit crabs are renown for occupying empty shells to protect their soft exoskeletons and prime real estate for Blueband Hermit Crabs are the shells of the Black Turban Snail.

SLENDER CRAB

Metacarcinus gracilis 
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Arianna Lara Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana

Also known as the Graceful Rock Crab, Metacarcinus gracilis ranges from Alaska to Baja California.

CALIFORNIA SPOT PRAWN

Pandalus platyceros
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Declan California (CFF workshop); Aiden Y10 Kepier Academy, UK

Also known as the Alaskan prawn, this species lives on the sea bed and can grow up 27cm. 

OTHER MARINE INVERTEBRATES

SUNFLOWER SEA STAR

Pycnopodia helianthoides
Conservation Status: CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (IUCN Red List) 
Population: DECREASING
Drawing: Theo Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Sunflower Sea Star:

"The sunflower sea star is named for its radial arms that resemble the yellow petals of sunflowers you might find in someone’s garden. The sunflower sea star is the largest species of sea star in the global ocean, with 24 large arms and a diameter of nearly three feet from arm tip to arm tip when full grown...[D]espite its large size, this species may also be the world’s fastest sea star. Like other sea stars, the sunflower sea star can regenerate damaged or missing arms, and can essentially clone themselves if a detached arm has a portion of the animal’s central disk attached to it. The sunflower sea star is a colorful creature, with skin that can be purple, orange, brown, or yellow. It has white spines all over its body and tube feet that cover each of its 24 arms to help the sea star move along the ocean floor. The tube feet also help the sea star to grip onto rocks, other surfaces, and prey when needed. The sunflower sea star has a unique skeleton that is made up of disjointed pieces, which allows the sea star to be very flexible and to move quickly. Most sea stars have a single, fixed skeleton. The sunflower sea star’s stomach is found on its ventral or underside near the center of its body, also known as the oral surface. This positioning allows the animal to enlarge its body and open its mouth wide to take in large prey... It eats sea urchins, crabs, snails, chitons, dead or dying squid, and other sea stars... To find vulnerable prey, sunflower sea stars use their strong sense of smell and very sensitive light receptors to distinguish between light and dark areas. They are speedy and can extend their eight leading arms out in front of them to grab onto any prey trying to escape them. Once captured, the sea star opens its mouth wide, protrudes its entire stomach to cover and digest their prey, and draws it back inside its body to finish the job. The sunflower sea star can live in a variety of habitats, including rocky reefs, kelp forests, and sand flats... Its range spans from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska down to Baja California, Mexico, though it is uncommon to find these animals south of Monterey Bay... Sunflower sea stars are generally solitary creatures but will often live near other individuals or aggregate in larger groups in areas where food is abundant... The average lifespan of a sunflower sea star is between 5 and 7.5 years, but some individuals have lived to be as old as about 65 years old!...The primary threat to the species is sea star wasting disease, a degenerative disease that has been linked to the effects of climate change. From 2013 to 2017, sea star wasting disease killed more than 90 of sunflower sea star populations in what experts have described as the largest marine disease outbreak ever recorded. This lethal event was thought to be made worse by warming ocean waters in the Pacific. The steep decline in the sunflower sea star’s population appears to be part of a cascade of ecological disruptions in California’s kelp forests and have led to imbalanced ecosystems that have yet to fully rebound. Specifically, sunflower sea stars’ reduction in numbers allowed sea urchin populations to grow unchecked, which in turn led to overgrazing of kelp and die-offs in some kelp forests... marinesanctuary.org/blog/sea-wonder-sunflower-sea-star

SPINY BRITTLE STAR

Ophiothrix spiculata
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Eva and Riley Y3 El Morro Elementary, Laguna Beach 

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network/Spiny Brittle Star:

"The spiny brittle star has an average disk diameter of (15 mm), and an arm length of about 85 mm. They have long, thorny spines on the margins of the arms and disk, and are found in orange, yellow, tan, brown, and green with various patterns. Brittle stars show beautiful color patterns of metabolically altered caro-tenoid pigments derived from ingested phytoplankton... The brittle stars mouth and sieve plate are on the underside... Brittle stars are so called because their arms readily break off or detach when seized. The animals regenerate these missing parts, while the predator is left with a writhing limb that is mostly skeletal blocks and spines of calcium carbonate... There are approximately 2,000 known species of brittle star, which is more than any other group of sea stars. Brittle stars are strongly related to sea stars. They are characterized by radial symmetry from a central body where five snakelike arms project. The arms are very bendable... Brittle stars are agile, using their entire arms to crawl over the substratum. Most brittle stars are nocturnal, therefore avoiding visual diurnal predators such as fishes... Brittle stars move moderately quickly, by wriggling their rays which are very bendable and enable the animals to make either rowing or snake-like movements... Spiny brittle stars serve as a major food item for reef fishes, particularly pile perch and they may also compete with smaller fishes and invertebrates for food. Brittle stars... live up to 5 years..." sanctuarysimon.org/dbtools/species-database/id/419/Ophiothrix/spiculata/spiny-brittle-star

STARBURST ANEMONE

 

Anthopleura sola
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Sarah Y9 King Edward VI School, UK 

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network/Sunburst anemone:

"The Sunburst anemone, Anthopleura sola, is cylindrical and greenish-brown, and the coloring can be either drab or vibrant. The oral disk is green or bluish-green, and has paired radiating lines leading to the bases of the tentacles. The column has wart-like protuberances (called verrucae), generally aligned in vertical columns, and is usually covered with shell debris. Numerous thick, short, tapered tentacles surround the oral disk. The tentacles are similar in color to the column, and in some cases flecked with white patches and with a slight purple hue towards the tips...The Sunburst anemone, is distinguished from other anemones by its large size, solitary nature, and the distinctive radiating lines on the oral disc. Like all cnidarians, it has stinging cells called cnidocytes located within the tentacles...Anthopleura sola that live in direct sunlight are often a more vibrant green, while sheltered specimens are paler...The hermit crab Pagarus samuelis often walks up and down the column of the anemone, even walking through and stroking the tentacles and probing the mouth opening, all without being stung. It is possible that the hermit crab becomes so coated with mucus from the anemone that the anemone responds as if the crab were its own tissue..." sanctuarysimon.org/dbtools/species-database/index.php?sID=63

PACIFIC PURPLE SEA URCHIN

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawing: Shaneny Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana 

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Purple Sea Urchin:

PACIFIC SEA NETTLE

Chrysaora fuscescens
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Lily Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach; Lara Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Halle California (CFF workshop) 

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation/Pacific Sea Nettle:

"...The Pacific Sea Nettle is known for its red-brown bell, long, spiraling arms, and thin tentacles. The bell can grow to a maximum of nearly 30 inches in diameter while the trailing arms can reach 12 to 15 feet in length! At first glance, there might not seem to be much to these creatures, but their bodies are complex and interesting. Given they are jellyfish, their bell (or body) is made of three layers: the outer layer (epidermis); a thick, gelatinous middle layer(mesoglea); and the innermost layer (gastrodermis). Like all other jellyfish, the Pacific sea nettle is mostly water with a basic nervous system that allows the animal to respond to stimuli like light and smell... The Pacific sea nettle is carnivorous and eats simple and easy-to-catch animals: zooplankton, larval fishes, crustaceans, eggs, and sometimes other jellies. But without a mouth, how do these jellies eat? Not by filtration like you might expect, but more actively through a process that’s a little like that of a venus flytrap. With a single opening that allows food to enter and waste to exit the body, the Pacific sea nettle’s thin tentacles sting and paralyze prey, while the longer, spiraling arms trap and transport the food to the bell...Given they rely on plankton and larva for their diet, Pacific sea nettles follow their prey up and down in the water column in response to the light cycle. Some individuals can travel more than 3,600 vertical feet each day by squeezing their bell and pushing water out, allowing them to resist currents!... An adult jellyfish is called a medusa, named after the mythological creature they resemble...Pacific sea nettles are found in the Pacific ocean’s open waters, ranging from Alaska to Japan, and from California (and sometimes Mexico) to Canada. They are a foundational component of marine food webs in the Pacific ocean, serving as prey for marine birds, sea turtles, fish, and even marine mammals. Scientists also believe these jellyfish may serve as both a vehicle and a food source for hitchhiking larval and juvenile crabs that can withstand or avoid the stinging tentacles..." marinesanctuary.org/blog/creature-feature-pacific-sea-nettle

PURPLE STRIPED JELLYFISH

 

Chrysaora colorata
Conservation Status: UNLISTED IUCN Red List 
Population: UNKNOWN
Drawings: Brid Y9 King Edward VI School, UK; Ava California (LAM workshop)

Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network/Chrysaora colorata:

"Common name is the purple striped jellyfish. They have a strong sting.  They are often infested with juvenile crabs. They can be seen year round in the San Diego area, but do not generally form large surface blooms.

ABOUT LAGUNA ART MUSEUM

Since 1918, artist-founded Laguna Art Museum has been intrinsically tied to Laguna Beach’s development from an art colony into what today is considered the California Riviera. The museum continues to be a center for art and artists that define what it means to live in or be inspired by our region’s diverse values, people and environments.

Over 5,000 exceptional works of art in the museum’s collection, and special curated exhibitions allow Laguna Art Museum to maintain an exhibition and program schedule as fast-paced as the adjacent Pacific Coast Highway. Our warm and welcoming staff allows for visitors to be as relaxed and laid back as if they were on the stretch of sandy beach just steps from our door. The museum excels at bringing people together throughout the year with a multitude of opportunities designed to embody the California experience. Visit Laguna Art Museum here: lagunaartmuseum.org

ABOUT COAST FILM & MUSIC FESTIVAL

ABOUT DRAWING FOR THE PLANET

We are a global art and environmental education charity with drawing, one of the oldest forms of communication, at its core. Founded by Artist, Jane Lee McCracken, to share her passions for drawing and wildlife, we partner with international wildlife charity Born Free, conservationists, artists, educators and cultural institutions. Through our art, education, exhibition and conservation fundraising projects we give children, communities and wildlife a voice. Watch our video and visit us at: www.drawingfortheplanet.org 

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ABOUT JANE LEE MCCRACKEN

Shh it's a Tiger! 2013 Biro drawing © Jane Lee McCracken

Artist Jane Lee McCracken constructs intricate multi-layered Biro drawings, sculptures, installations and designs products.  Her work explores loss to both humans and animals generated by human destruction and is representational of both life's beauty and brutal reality. She is also the Founder and CEO of Drawing for the Planet global art, environmental education and conservation charity. 

Over the last decade, through her art she has raised funds for conservation organisations and delivered drawing and environmental education workshops to 1000's of people across the world. In 2019 she founded Where Did All the Animals Go? Project in partnership with Born Free and in 2021 founded Drawing for the Planet. Explore Jane's art:

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