Back to the Ocean

Need fresh water to lay externally fertilized eggs

No true saltwater species

What characteristics do organisms in Class Reptilia share? Ectothermic (coldblooded) Lungs that breathe air Scales Internal fertilization Oviparous Examples: alligators, crocodiles, turtles,

lizards, and snakes

Order Crocodilia (Alligators, Crocodiles, and Caimens)

All members are semi-aquatic (living in freshwater swamps and rivers)

Giant saltwater crocodile can live in oceanic environment for extended periods of time

1. Where are saltwater crocs found?

1. How much can they weigh?2. How long can they get?3. Are they known to attack people?4. Where in the U.S. can saltwater crocs be found?5. A few years ago, these crocs were considered

endangered. Are they still considered so now?

Order Testudines(Turtles and Tortoises)

“ 7 ” marine species:▪ Live in warm water feeding on a variety of animals

and plants▪ Take years to mature▪ All endangered or threatened▪ Even with restrictions on capture, turtles continue to

perish as bycatch.

▪ 5 species found in Gulf of Mexico▪ Unable to retreat inside shell

Bird-like beak

Smallest of all sea turtles Critically endangered species

Most commonly seen sea turtle throughout the world

Commonly found on Texas coast

Largest and fastest swimming sea turtle Most endangered of the sea turtles

1. ____ % of the sea turtle’s life is spent in water.

2. Sea turtles are known to migrate up to _____ of miles taking _______ or _______ to complete

3. _____ sea turtles tend to stay near the coral reefs.

4. _____ and _____ are known to cross oceans.

5. Females return to their native beaches every _____-_____ years to mate and lay eggs.

6. Many turtles travel in/ follow _____. (think Nemo)

7. _____ are known to have the longest migration.

8. Leatherbacks can be over _____ pounds and over _____ feet long!

Order Squamata(Snakes and lizards)

61 species of marine snakes

Sea snake has most toxic venom of any snake

▪ Adaptation to hunting small fish

▪ Sea-snake fangs are small and are located at the back of the mouth making it difficult to deliver a toxic bite to a human

Marine iguana found in the Galapagos Islands is the only saltwater lizard

▪ Herbivorous

1. How dangerous are sea snakes?2. What location is a common place to find sea

snakes?3. What type of sea snakes is the most common?4. Sea snakes are closely related to the

_______________ but they are now adapted for life ________________.

5. Why do sea snakes flick their tongue?6. What is a distinguishing characteristic about

the sea snake tail?7. What do sea snakes eat?

8. How long can sea snakes hold their breath?9. It is believed that sea snakes take in Oxygen

by another method to allow them to stay underwater so long; what is this method?

10. The sea snake is mostly closely related to which land snake? Which is most poisonous?

11. Where do sea snakes commonly sleep?12. Sea snakes are not known to bite man; why?13. How many species of sea snake are there?

1. Marine Iguanas are found ___________.2. They are _____ blooded3. Why are they black?4. It takes ________ (time) to warm up once

the sun comes up.5. What temperature is their top “norm”?6. How cold is the water in their habitat?

7. What do marine iguanas eat?8. How deep can marine iguanas dive?9. How do they maintain their body

temperature as long as they do?10. How long can marine iguanas stay

underwater eating?11. How do they maintain as much body heat as

possible at night?

What characteristics are shared by organisms in class Aves? Feathers Endothermic Four-chambered heart Forelimbs that are wings Internal fertilization Oviparous

Adaptations Webbed feet for swimming efficiently while

floating Pouched bill that aids in capturing fish Wing characteristics adapted to long-duration

flying over wide expanses of water Predators of fish, crustaceans, and

mollusks Prey for marine mammals and even sharks Seabirds supply nutrient rich guano

(droppings) to the marine ecosystem

Groups include:

Gulls, Terns, Pelicans, Penguins, and Albatross

Order Sphenisciformes (Penguins) All live in the Southern Hemisphere

Spend 75% of their time underwater searching for food in the ocean

Consumers of krill, squid, and small fish

Dive using their wings for propulsion

Thrive in massive nesting colonies

Emperor Penguin remains on the Antarctic continent year round

Most species breed in the less frigid subantarctic islands

Order Procellariiformes (Albatross) Range widely from the Southern Ocean and the North Pacific

Feed on squid, fish and krill by either scavenging, surface seizing or diving

Population numbers have greatly decreased due to harvesting of feathers, introduction of rats and feral cats, overfishing and long-line fishing

Have enlarged nasal gland at base of their bill that helps to lower their salt content by producing a 5% saline solution that drips out of their nose

Wing span of up to 11.2 ft; have a shoulder-lock tendon that locks the wing when fully extended (No muscle expenditure)

Colonial birds, nesting on isolated islands

Spend nearly a year rearing a hatchling; usually only one egg

Have a long life span of up to 50 years

Order Pelecaniformes (Pelicans) Large birds with large pouched bills

Primarily inhabit warm regions

Maximum wing span of nearly 10 ft.

Diet consists of fish, crustaceans, amphibians and small birds on occasion

Fish in groups; form a line to chase schools of small fish into shallow water and then scoop them up

Lay 2 eggs and hatching success can be up to 95% for an undisturbed pair

Order Charadriiformes (Gulls and Terns)

Gulls

▪ Ground nesting carnivores usually feeding off of crabs and small fish

▪ Coastal or inland species; very rarely venturing out to sea

▪ Inquisitive and intelligent birds▪ Mobbing behavior – harassing would be predators

▪ Use of tools – baiting goldfish with bits of bread

▪ Coexist with humans

Order Charadriiformes (Gulls and Terns)

Terns

▪ Worldwide distribution

▪ Make harsh, single-note calls

▪ Most Terns hunt fish by diving; Marsh Terns pick insects off the surface of the water

▪ Only rarely swim despite having webbed feet

▪ Generally nest in large, densely packed colonies

▪ Can live in excess of 25-30 years