5 Christmas Sea Creatures
Seas and Greetings!
What better way to shell-ebrate the holiday season than by spotlighting a few ocean critters who have no trouble feeling festive? Take a look at 5 sea animals whose names resemble different holiday symbols.
FIVE FUN OCEAN ANIMALS
1. Christmas Tree Worms
Image from Canva
These vibrant marine worms won’t be found in the snow-covered forest, rather they can be found on tropical coral reefs! These worms have two Christmas tree-like crowns on their head that help them feed and breathe. Although the top of their crowns protrudes, most of their bodies are actually burrowed beneath the coral, which is where they live. Like most Christmas trees, these jolly animals are very popular among photographers, as they look great in photos.
2. Cookie Cutter sharks
Image from Oceana
Gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, and… sharks? Not all cookie cutters make holiday treats! Cookie Cutter sharks, or cigar sharks, are fascinating species that uniquely migrate vertically in the water column up to 2 miles. These special sharks have something called photophores on the underside of their body which imitate a silhouette of a smaller fish to confuse their prey. Cookie Cutter sharks have been known to have a strong bite - their teeth marks have been found on a submarine!
3. Candy Cane Shrimp
Image from Canva
Candy Cane shrimp, or peppermint shrimp, are named after their festive red and white markings! Candy Cane shrimp live in a symbiotic relationship with goby, a type of small to medium-sized ray-finned fish. Goby provide protection as shrimp dig their shared burrow on the ocean floor. These snapping shrimp are almost blind but rely on the goby for help.
Source: The Smithsonian
4. Jingle Shells
Image from Canva
These beautiful bivalve mollusks are commonly found along beaches and shorelines. Although the shells are translucent, they remain extremely strong and are popular for crafts and jewelry. When strung together, they make the lovely chiming sound that gives them their name. Can you find one at your local beach?
Source: The Smithsonian
5. Christmas Island Red Crab
Image from Canva
The Christmas Island Red Crab is native to Christmas Island, an Australian territory located in the Indian Ocean. There are an estimated 43 million Christmas Island Red Crabs living on this small island. Their migration habits are famous with tourists, who love to watch as they move together along the ground in huge groups according to the phases of the moon.
Click to watch a video about the mass red crab migration by Sir David Attenborough!
Source: National Geographic Kids