Exploring Marine Ecosystems and Native Plants: Insights from Coral Reefs to Backyard Gardens
I started watching this little juvenile burrfish in an enclosure off to the side a bit and found that I just couldn't stop- its magnetic! This recording I made was especially good - I caught the burrfish sampling some gravel bits almost as big as its face and nipping at the fins of the much larger squirrelfish which made me laugh out loud.
I had been volunteering at MOTE for a while before I finally saw the calico crab in the grassflats exhibit. This is normal though since these small crabs only grow up to about 3 inches and prefer to bury themselves in the sandy or muddy substrate of their habitat so only their eyes are exposed. This behavior, along with their coloring helps them hide from predators.
Similarly to the calico crab - it took some before I got to see the banded tulip snail who spends most of its time buried in the sand. In addition to hiding strategies, these gastropods can seal their shells with their operculum and use their muscular foot to escape If they feel threatened.
I recently completed my volunteer training to be an aquarium guide at MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium. The training section about mangroves reminded me of this kayaking trip I took last November. I got to kayak through the mangrove tunnels near beautiful shell key preserve. It was an absolutely amazing area that seems even more fantastic now that I know so much more about mangroves!
Erica Lauer Vose 