JOURNEY TO THE DEEP

This August at ARKive we’re diving into the oceans to highlight the wonderful array of species that live within the deep blue. With the oceans covering around 70% of our planet and reaching depths of almost 11 kilometres, we have only just scratched the surface of this watery world. Approximately a quarter of a million marine species are already known to science, but amazingly, some scientists believe there are still at least another three quarters of a million species awaiting discovery!

With underwater habitats ranging from warm coral reefs to deep sea trenches, it is unsurprising that the oceans support such a varied multitude of life. From the ancient scaly coelacanth to the blubbery walrus, from the miniscule Antarctic krill to the enormous blue whale and from the sublimely beautiful mushroom coral to the slimy hooded sea slug! The oceans have it all.
read and sea..more..