Collated from our Newsletters into one Section. To provide an easier access to what matters most: NATURE!
2025 March: Welcome in the year of the SNAKE (EEL)
While Sea Snakes posses some of the strongest poison in nature, Snake Eels do not have any poison or any other real asset for their protection. However, they know a fantastic trick called Mimicry. By “dressing” like Sea Snakes, predators stay away.
The dictionary describes Mimicry as “the action or art of imitating someone or something, typically in order to entertain or ridicule”. Snake Eels in the Maldives having the most ridicules behavior of all. Despite no existence of Sea Snakes in the Maldives, local Snake Eels still imitate them. The most funny thing is that it still works:-)
Quite often we have shocked guest around our Dive Centers who just encountered a Sea Snake. The correct answer to give in the next 12 month will be: Welcome to the year of the Snake Eel!
In areas where both species occur it is pretty simple to differentiate them. While Snake Eel posses “Nose Hair” Sea Snakes don’t.
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Autor: Florian Gansl
2025 February: Relationships of Cooperation, Exploitation, and Competition
The marine world is home to a variety of symbiotic relationships where organisms live in close association with one another. These relationships can be categorized into four main types:
1. Commensalism: one organism benefits from the relationship while the other is neither helped nor harmed.
with its striking red and white striped body, resembles a holiday candy cane. The sweet-sounding crustacean has a symbiotic relationship with a goby – they depend on each other for survival. The shrimp helps dig and maintain a burrow, while the goby alerts the nearly-blind shrimp to any nearby dangers. Their bright, festive appearance adds a touch of holiday cheer to the reefs they inhabit.
2.Parasitism: one organism benefits at the expense of the other.
A well-known example of this is the relationship between certain fish and parasitic isopods. The isopod enters the fish’s body through its gills and attaches itself to the fish’s tongue. Over time, the isopod feeds on the fish’s tongue and eventually replaces the fish’s tongue with its own body, essentially becoming the fish’s “new tongue.” The isopod gains nourishment from the fish, but the fish suffers from the loss of its tongue, which impairs its ability to feed properly making this a parasitic interaction.
3. Mutualism: when both organisms in a relationship benefit.
One of the best-known examples of mutualism in the marine world is the partnership between clownfish and sea anemones. The clownfish finds shelter within the stinging tentacles of the anemone, which provides protection from predators. In return, the clownfish cleans the anemone by eating parasites and debris, while its movements help circulate water around the anemone, aiding its respiration. This mutually beneficial relationship helps both species thrive.
4. Competition: when organisms vie for the same resources, such as food, territory, or mates.
In the ocean, many species of fish and invertebrates compete for access to limited food sources. For example, different species of reef fish may compete for the same corals or algae, using aggressive behaviors or territoriality to secure their share. This competition can influence feeding patterns, reproductive success, and the distribution of species across marine ecosystems.
The ocean is a dynamic ecosystem where organisms form symbiotic relationships like commensalism, parasitism, and mutualism, shaping their survival and the marine environment. Competition for resources drives adaptation, creating a complex web of life beneath the waves.
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Autor: Emma Keen
2025 January: Q & A with our Marine Biologist Emma Keen
Why do dolphins swim close to boats?
Dolphins often swim close to boats out of curiosity and playfulness, as they are naturally inquisitive creatures. They may ride the bow waves created by the boat, which allows them to conserve energy while swimming, and their proximity can be a social behavior, as they enjoy interacting with humans.
Will the sharks bite?
Sharks generally do not pose a threat to humans, and bites are relatively rare. Most species of sharks are not aggressive and tend to avoid human interaction; However, they may bite if they feel threatened or if they mistake a person for their natural prey. It’s essential to practice caution in areas where sharks are present, and to avoid disturbing a sharks natural behaviour.
Are stingrays dangerous?
Stingrays can be dangerous if provoked, primarily due to their venomous spines located on their tails, which they use for defense. While they are usually docile and pose little threat to humans, accidental steps on them while wading in shallow waters can lead to painful stings, making it important to be cautious, and try to shuffle your feet if walking in a sandy bottom area if the visibility isn’t great!
What do turtles eat?
Turtles have diverse diets that vary by species; some are herbivores, feeding on seagrasses and algae, sponges and anemones, while others are carnivores, eating crustaceans, and fish. Omnivorous turtles, and most species of turtles as juveniles will eat a mix of both plant and animal matter, depending on their habitat and availability of food sources, until they become more fussy as adults! All species turtles love to eat jellyfish as their favourite snack!
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Autor: Aliona Shavel
