Creature Feature

Lea Eider, Coastal Programs Intern

Great White Shark

(Carcharodon carcharias) yan’-tr’ee-nash in the Tolowa language

Great white sharks are common sharks in local waters, though sightings are rare. Media often portrays Great Whites as bloodthirsty, mindless predators on the prowl for human prey. This is completely untrue. Shark attacks are rare and few are fatal. Unprovoked attacks most often occur when Great Whites, a naturally curious fish, decide to “taste test” an unknown object. They typically release humans immediately. Many people only suffer moderate injuries from a shark attack. Sources: Americanoceans.org, National Geographic, Yearly Worldwide Shark Attack Summary, Elias Levy, Flickr.

Giant Green Anemone

(Anthopleura xanthogrammica) sa’ro’ in the Yurok language

Giant green anemone are carnivores that feed on crabs, mussels, small fishes and sea urchins. Much of their green color comes from symbiotic microorganisms, microalgae and dinoflagellates, which live in the tissues of the anemone and photosynthesize. The rocky shore is a fragile ecosystem. Anemones are in danger from pollution, as well as being disturbed or crushed by humans. If you visit a tide pool, watch out for anemones! Source: Giant green anemone– Monterey Bay Aquarium. Photos: jwhallock, Mickey Destro, Peter D. Tillman on Flickr.

Moon Jelllyfish

(Aurelia aurita) Moon jellyfish can be found throughout the oceans of the world, and are one of the more common types of local jellyfish. Jellyfish are 95% water and have no brain, blood, or heart. They feed by collecting medusae, plankton, and mollusks with their tentacles, and bringing them into their body for digestion. They can be identified by four horseshoe shaped gonads at the top of the bell. Moon jellies aren’t in much danger from humans, however their pretadors, such as birds and turtles, often ingest plastic bags after mistaking them for jellies. Sources: Monterey Bay Aquarium; Wildlife Trusts; Wikipedia. Photos: Matt Evans and Ann- Sophie Qvarnström on Flickr