In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

If you study marine biology in university, you have to understand that there are several other professions that you can be eligible for. You can pursue further studies to become a professor and be assigned to the particular job that you are really interested in. You have to review the different features of the job before applying. This way, you minimize the time exploring and focus more on the aspects that can both fuel your passion and earning capacity.

The Research Coordinator

The managerial positions can land you a salary of about $75,000 to $100,000 each year, higher positions in institutional management can even reach up to $150,000 each year. As a research coordinator, you will need to create a sound expedition plan. You will also go on ships and submersibles. The work includes gathering of data and samples. The job can mean collecting invertebrates then getting extracts back at the laboratory. The extract will be checked and observed as well. Different chemicals found in the extract will be tested on different human diseases to know if there are any changes that can potentially treat.

The job requires a doctorate degree because of the high level of administrative and managerial work. You do not need to have the doctorate degree if you want to do lab work. You can also land a teaching job instead. Some courses will help you prepare better for the profession such as chemistry, molecular biology and biochemistry.

Being an Oceanographer

If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.

An oceanographer earns anywhere between $100,000 and $150,000 each year. Being a full professor can help you land teaching jobs and get a bigger salary. You will typically work about 60 hours each week. The job description entails creating new graduate programs in oceanography. You have to work with groups of graduate students and continue research in different oceans and seas to boost the telepresence program. You will be tasked to watch, study and gather data from creatures, habitats, sea vents and ecosystems.

Studying Mammals

Marine biologists will have to study different organisms, depending on their location and personal preference. If you become a marine mammal biologist, you have to earn a bachelor’s degree at the very least. However, most people in the position have a master’s or doctorate degree. Salary ranges anywhere between $40,000 and $80,000. The hours per week will depend on the project and deadlines. On the average, you have to work about 8 to 10 hours per day. Some of the work entails studying the ecology of marine mammals. You have to observe the behavior and interactions of seals, whales, sea otters and dolphins.

Study the Habitat

You have to study their environment as well at different phases of their lives. You will spend several months per year writing proposals and papers. You also have to learn how to apply for grants to fund your many researches. You will spend some time on a boat or submersible too, catching, tagging, viewing and counting marine mammals. You may discover some of the rarest species and inform others how to better protect them.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Current info about Marine Biology is not always the easiest thing to locate. Fortunately, this report includes the latest Marine Biology info available.

There are several features and roles that marine biologists have to assume, depending on their level of experience and expertise. You may be assigned to research different species depending on your location and assignment. You should also know the basic qualifications to make it as a marine biologist. You can be given tasks, based on your current degree.

On Research

If you intend to do research as a marine biologist, you need to finish college with a Bachelor of Science degree (4 years) at the very least, preferably from a known university offering specialization in marine sciences. Having this degree will allow you to work as a lab technician or on a ship running samples. You may also be assigned as a scientist. It is recommended that you have good grades in high school too.

A bachelor’s degree is not actually enough qualification to permit you to work as a scientist wherein you do your own research. You will need to get a master’s degree at the very least, but given the current employment conditions, you will also need a PhD in Marine Biology, lasting 4 to 5 years. As soon as you finish the PhD, you will be required to spend 3 to 4 years more in positions referred to as post-doctoral fellow. You can be hired as a temporary contract position by a scientist to run a part of the research semi-independently. As soon as you complete the stage, you will be considered qualified enough to be hired by a government agency, university or private research group.

Things to Do

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Marine Biology. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

As a marine biologist, you need to perform an active research program which includes publishing the results in peer-reviewed journals. You are also expected to review documents from other existing researchers in your field. If you are currently employed in a university, you will be tasked to teach, as well as supervise the training of research students at the PhD and Master’s level. You will need to be an active member of the community, such as joining committees in the academic department. You may also be tasked to apply for research grants. Funds are highly needed to do research.

About the Course and Other Requirements

Marine Biology is usually a major course in many universities. You can also choose to specialize further by going for areas like benthic biology or living on the ocean bottom, ichthyology or fish studies, etc. It is important to have a very keen mind, as well as the ability to be meticulous and careful. A lot of research will need you to repeat the same work again and again. Majority of scientific research does not lead to awards. You have to be patient with the developments. You will need to have a lot of positive reinforcement to stick to the course for the long term.

Tips to Get In

Always aim for good grades to stay competitive and possibly get scholarships. Focus on your writing skills and train more in your maths and computer programs. You should always volunteer as an assistant if the opportunity comes up, since what you learned in university may not entirely be the same as the actual job you will be performing once you get out of school. You will adjust to the situation more as you get more experience.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Several individuals have always dreamed of becoming a marine biologist, but not many is actually informed about the real extent and coverage of the practice. Marine biology is a branch of science that particularly deals with aquatic life. You have to understand the different features to determine if it is the right profession for your capabilities and interests.

Definition of the Term

Marine biology is described as the study of life forms that live in saltwater or usually ocean environment. Several life forms may be included in the studies such as the analysis of fish, plants, marine mammals and other microscopic organisms. Marine biology may also cover the entire ocean ecosystem, or a particular kind of life form, including its interactions with other living beings and the habitat.

Marine biology may also be described as studies in the field or the analysis of information collected from different ocean sites. It can be very comparative in nature, such as analyzing the same bacteria that live in different oceans. It can also be specific on the particular species.

As a Science

Marine biology is highly related to other kinds of science, like climatology since it has effects on life forms in the ocean, animal behavior and oceanography. Some marine biologists may focus on the biological nature of a given animal, while others focus more on the behavior of the animal. Several times, individuals refer to marine biology only as the study of marine mammals, such as dolphins, seals and whales.

I trust that what you’ve read so far has been informative. The following section should go a long way toward clearing up any uncertainty that may remain.

In reality, it represents a minor part of marine biology study. There are only limited marine mammals compared to large numbers of fish, plant and single-celled species in the ocean. Some less interesting species may have limited studies compared to the more glamorous marine mammals.

Grants and Activism

Marine biology sometimes can involve activism, since some scientists achieve high levels of education. Marine biology should be understood together with other existing sciences. Many individuals now aim to protect the ecosystems of the ocean, thus improving in their speaking and writing skills.

Several marine biologists can apply for grants. There are usually marine biology sites located in landlocked countries and states. Oceans and its many life forms have various effects on different areas. Prehistoric marine biology may also assess the tissues of extinct ocean life forms that still exist in areas where saltwater bodies are no longer found.

Knowing the Benefits

Marine biologists also continue to study to understand the nature and determine the many benefits of organisms in the ocean that can be highly helpful and supportive to human life. The different life forms in the ocean can have potential health advantages as well as provide the means to developing new medicines.

Some are even very helpful in preserving and protecting earthbound life forms. Marine biology has always fascinated people since several of the species in the ocean are still unknown. Some parts of the ocean remain inaccessible because of depth or temperature. Marine biologists are always open to the opportunity of becoming a part of new discoveries.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

This interesting article addresses some of the key issues regarding Marine Biology. A careful reading of this material could make a big difference in how you think about Marine Biology.

Studying marine mammals may be one of the most interesting parts in a marine biologist’s profession. There are 3 main orders that you need to know about. Each category has its own unique mechanism, feeding pattern and characteristics. These animals tend to live in different places as well, others in groups and the rest in families or alone. Once you become familiar with their lifestyle and features, you get to appreciate the species more.

Cetacea Order

The whole lifecycle of the order Cetacea is aquatic. There are a couple of sub-orders founded ont he feeding mechanism – Odonticeti and Mysticeti. The sub-order Mysticeti includes baleen whales, blue whales, minke whales, grey whales and right whales. The whales feature mechanisms to boost the success feeding.

The sub-order Odonticeti includes animals like killer whales, dolphins, toothed whales and porpoises. River and coastal species reside in small home ranges if they are offshore. Others prefer warm equatorial waters, while the rest are located in every ocean like the bottle-nosed dolphins and killer whales. Some animals like big baleen whales move from the tropics for winter breeding to high latitudes for summer feeding. Animals propel themselves using the broad and boneless tail flukes. They also shed skin and exude oil as much as 12 times per day to reduce friction.

Pinnipedia Order

These animals adapt to the environment through a variety of processes. Heat conservation is done and get a low SA/V ratio and develop insulation through their hair and blubber. All the animals moult, after breeding in the summer while the others should stay out of water until everything is done.

So far, we’ve uncovered some interesting facts about Marine Biology. You may decide that the following information is even more interesting.

The respiration is done by exhaling before the deep dives. They have relatively high concentrations of haemoglobin and myoglobin. The heart of the animals drop during deep dives and the blood is limited to the heart and brain. Dives can be as deep as 1700m, lasting anywhere between 80 to 160 hours.

Sirenia Order

Sirenians are sought mainly for their hide, oil and meat. They spend their entire lives in the water and are the only aquatic animals labeled as herbivores. The flat tail propels itself via paddles. These can walk at the benthic or move backwards. Locomotion is usually slow but they can also burst at around 13 knots. Sirenians inhale before they dive, just like whales.
When they breathe, they can swap about 90% of lung volume.

Manatees can see very clearly underwater, while taste and smell are retained. These touch when they greet each other and lead to chirps, between calf and mother. Dugongs can live for as long as 70 years but fecundity is rather low. The animals reach puberty at 10 years old and produce only 1 calf every 5 years. Their population has to be protected to maintain the ability to recover from environmental stress and hunting.

Interacting with Man

All animals have interactions with man, although sirenians are the most widely known to be friendly towards humans. Fishing nets and fishing lines tend to be a problem for most of these animals.

Now that wasn’t hard at all, was it? And you’ve earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study an expert’s word on Marine Biology.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

When you’re learning about something new, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of relevant information available. This informative article should help you focus on the central points.

There are so many professions that you can get by taking marine biology as a major. The important thing is that you complete all your basic subjects then find the right course and work that you are truly interested in. You can better boost your chances of finding the perfect job that offers substantial salary, together with the right people, equipment and facilities that make your research worthwhile. Here is a guideline of what to expect.

The Assistant Professor

As an assistant professor, you may be tasked to go to very remote locations such as Antarctica to do fieldwork for geology or oceanography. You will most likely go to the destination via a research ship. A program will lend out ships to researchers so that they do not have to purchase cold-weather gear that ranges up to several thousands of dollars. The parka or ship will have to be returned at the end of the research. Some of your objectives can include studying rock formations, trying out new deep submersible technologies and comparing animal behavior in various locations.

The Associate Professor

The associate professor receives around $65,000 to $100,000 each year. You will need to be a professor in geophysics and marine geology to be a professor. The typical work averages around 70 hours every week. Some of the things that the professor does include studying the role of volcanoes to support life without sunlight, learning how the lost city hydrothermal system was created, creating new sensors that pass through the vents, discovering new vent systems and working on a seafloor observatory.

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you’re fully informed about Marine Biology, keep reading.

Deep Sea Work

There can be many liens of research as a deep sea biologist. One line may involve studying the communities of various animals that thrive on the skeletons of dead whales found int he deep sea. The other area may involve studying seamount communities and deep-sea corals. You may study the distribution of corals, invertebrates and the dispersion of invertebrates between seamounts.

The submersible pilot works about 40 hours each week. The hours will highly depend on the sea conditions and weather. Your job will most likely involve supporting scientist research. You will pilot and act as a technician for the sub. The submersible has to be ready every time there is a dive. Scientists have to go underwater and back to the surface in the safest manner possible. You will also be managing the science collection equipment like cameras and life support systems.

Administrative Work

If you want to be an NOAA physical scientist or administrator, you need to have excellent credentials. Your work can include developing geography information systems and data linked to marine and coastal environments. You have to create management plans for marine protected areas. You may also be tasked to be project manager for huge undersea expeditions, using both unmanned and manned submersible devices.

You have to be committed to studying and learning about the natural systems of both coastal and marine locations. As a result, you can give information needed to effectively manage the ecosystem.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

If you plan to finish a bachelor’s of science in Marine Biology, it is important that you attain the total credit required first, as well as all other requirements. Colleges and universities may have different subjects and topics covered, but the core is still very much the same. You can start by asking for the course perspective or inquiring online. Here is the breakdown.

Lower Division Requirements

There are 124 semester credits required to finish Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. General education common core consists of about 45 semester credits at least. You should first complete the general education common core having one course in every of the 15 common core categories, together with 2 cross-theme requirements. You should check for eligible courses for every requirement for a complete description of the general education program. You may not apply for more than 2 courses having the same alpha toward the common core requirements. You can check and review all the HPU alphas.

Some of the courses needed for the major can also be applied to the general education course, which increase the number of unlimited elective credits available. The possible overlaps are shown parenthetically after the course name in the lower division major requirements list. You should talk to the person in charge or inquire online to know more about the prerequisites and to avoid any further conflict in the future.

The Major Requirements

Most of this information comes straight from the Marine Biology pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

Major requirements in the lower division consist of 46 to 48 semester credits. Inclusions are General Biology I, General Biology I (Laboratory), General Biology II (Global Systems A), General Biology II (Laboratory), General Chemistry I (Global Systems C), General Chemistry I (Laboratory), General Chemistry II, General Chemistry II (Laboratory), Oceanographic Field Techniques, Geological, Chemical and Physical Oceanography, Geological, Chemical and Physical Oceanography (Laboratory), Marine Biology, Marine Biology (Laboratory), Statistics, Calculus I, Calculus II, Freshmen Science Seminar, College Physics I, College Physics I (Laboratory), College Physics II, College Physics II (Laboratory), General Physics I, General Physics I (Laboratory), General Physics II and General Physics II (Laboratory).

Upper Division Requirements

The general education for the upper division consists of 7 semester credits. Upper division research and writing consist of 4 credits, while upper class citizenship requirement consists of 3 credits. The requirements include Comparative Animal Physiology, Comparative Animal Physiology (Laboratory), Evolutionary Genetics, Marine Invertebrate Zoology or Vertebrate, Marine Invertebrate or Vertebrate Zoology (Laboratory), Ecology, Ecology (Laboratory), Cell and Molecular Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology (Laboratory), Fundamental Organic Chemistry, Descriptive Regional Oceanography, Marine Ecology, Marine Ecology (Laboratory), Marine Biology Seminar, Plant Biology, Plant Biology (Laboratory), Biometry, Natural History, Cell and Molecular Biology, Environmental Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology (Laboratory), Organic Chemistry I, Biochemistry I, Environmental Chemistry, Honors Research and Practicum. Geology course and math course in the upper division may also be taken upon approval.

The Unrestricted Electives (0 Semester Credits)

Major in Marine Biology adds up to 124 credits total, so there are no additional credits needed. Further studies may be taken by the student at his or her discretion.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

In today’s world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article, I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.

Marine biology studies the different species, both plant and animal that thrives in the ocean. It is also important to focus on the different available habitats to know how each interact with the environment and deal with the different dangers, benefits and threats that lurk in every corner. Knowing more about the environment will help you categorize species better and find the definite animal or plant that you are looking for. Here are some guidelines.

About Reefs

Reefs are made of some of the most diverse and densest habitats in the planet. The most popular kinds are tropical coral reefs that are present in many tropical waters. Reefs can also be available in cold water. These are created by calcium-depositing animals and corals, in most cases, over a rocky outcrop on the bottom of the ocean. Reefs can also grow on other types of surface, making it highly possible to build man-made reefs. Coral reefs can support a vast life community, including corals, tropical fishes, zooxanthellae and other organisms.

During 1998, coral reefs went through a very rare bleaching event, wherein several reefs all over the world died due to sea surface temperatures rising very high above the average. A number of reefs are still recovering from El Nino, but scientists indicate that more than half of the coral reefs on Earth are currently endangered, with global warming increasing the effects.

The Shore and Ocean

The more authentic information about Marine Biology you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Marine Biology expert. Read on for even more Marine Biology facts that you can share.

The open ocean is not very productive due to inadequate nutrients. Since it is so vast, it only produces the most primary productivity. Majority of the energy in the aphotic zone is provided by the open ocean in detritus form. The open ocean is usually made up of jellyfish, with some predators like the Mola mola.

Intertidal zones are described as areas found very near the shore. These are exposed nonstop and covered by the tides of the ocean. A wide array of life forms exists within the zone. Shore habitats also range from the upper zones to the place where land vegetation is abundant. It can also be found underwater anywhere from daily to very infrequently. A lot of species are scavengers, getting their meals from sea life washed up on shores. Bioerosion is also used by a group of organisms living in intertidal and shore habitats.

The Deep Sea

Very deep oceanic trenches are found in the Pacific Ocean. In waters this deep, the water pressure tends to be very high and sunlight is not readily available. Life still does exist in these parts. Some of the examples include small flounder fish and shrimp. The deep sea is known to begin at the aphotic zone, wherein the sunlight lacks the power of transference in the water. Many of the organisms found in this location have the capacity to produce their own light. A lot of life is also present in seamounts. Unique biomes and several microbes were found in these locations.

On Distribution

Majority of ocean life reproduces in particular areas, spends some time as juveniles in other locations and spend more time as mature species in other places. It is not yet fully known where and when exactly different organisms spend the different phases of their lives. Tracking devices can work but only up to a very limited extent.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

It can sometimes be confusing for students to decide whether they should major in Marine Biology or just go for other related sciences. It is important to know that there are requirements needed in high school to get into a good college or university that will help you hone your skills further and prepare for the actual profession. You have to understand the differences between majors then make the final decision on what course is best.

What are the Requirements for the Marine Biology Course?

There are no specific requirements to get into the Marine Biology program at present. Any student who wants to take the BS Marine Biology course is recommended to take up as many math and science subjects as possible. Some of the good foundations include Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Trigonometry and Precalculus.

You can major in Marine Biology if you have a big interest in learning about different aquatic organisms and the marine environment in general. You can also major if you want to become a voter and informed citizen, since several current issues include policies that are related to the conservation and use of the ocean and coastal habitats, plus the use of the marine resources.

If you are majoring in Marine Biology, can you do a minor or double major in other subjects?

Most of this information comes straight from the Marine Biology pros. Careful reading to the end virtually guarantees that you’ll know what they know.

You can do a minor or double major in other subjects in the university, except for biological sciences, since it is given by the same department as your major in Marine Biology. You are not required to do a minor. You should consult the department head or advisor for more data.

Undergraduates should not specialize very quickly. Marine biology majors, especially those who plan to be professional marine biologists, take a strong foundation in a wide range of subdisciplines in modern biological sciences. Marine biology programs in a number of institutions can include marine-related courses only. It is not ideal, but BS Marine Biology requires students to take up Calculus, Chemistry, Physics and four courses in various subdisciplines in biological sciences, apart from marine biology electives.

What is the difference between Oceanography and Marine Biology?

Oceanography is described as the study of oceans and the physical, chemical, geological and biological processes that happen within the subject. It is a subject that can be studied in graduate school and needs undergraduate training in biology, physics, chemistry and geology. Marine Biology emphasizes on the biology of different organisms that thrive in the ocean. It is a subdiscipline of biology, but sometimes overlaps with Biological Oceanography.

What are the differences between majoring in Marine Biology and Biological Science major?

The two majors need general chemistry, organic chemistry, general biology, physics, calculus and four core courses in biological science. While BS in Biological Science requires microbiology course, and plant biology course, the curriculum still requires students to take up oceanography and then complete 36 credits of biology with electives in marine biology. You can take up biological science even if you want to become a marine biologist, provided that you also take up the subject.

So now you know a little bit about Marine Biology. Even if you don’t know everything, you’ve done something worthwhile: you’ve expanded your knowledge.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about Marine Biology. When you start sharing the fascinating Marine Biology facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

Once you start contemplating about the different possible career paths you can take, you should check if marine biology matches your personality and interests. Some individuals find it as their ultimate dream job, while others may only find out that they cannot bear tedious repetitions and spending hours away from home. Marine biology is a course that is perfect for explorers and curious minds. It is also a good way to make good income.

Gauging Your Interest

How interested are you in the ocean and everything else in it? Do you like sea creatures, plants, corals and aquatic ecosystems? Do you always spend time in aquariums and other water-filled environments? Are you good in science or are particularly interested in marine science? If you answer yes to all of these, you have a very high chance of becoming a good marine biologist. Interest is one thing, so you also have to consider your talents and skills and need for knowledge to know whether or not it is the right course to take.

Getting Ahead

If you wanted to learn marine biology at a very early age, then you already have an advantage. There are plenty of programs and opportunities provided in elementary and high school that can help you determine your level of interest in marine biology. You may enrol in a marine science summer camp or volunteer at local research facilities and aquariums. There are also several programs for young students in big universities and coastline cities. Find out more information on how to enrol and join by searching over the internet.

If you don’t have accurate details regarding Marine Biology, then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don’t let that happen: keep reading.

Getting Into College

You do not have to take up marine biology as a major in college to become a marine biologist. You should, however, get a bachelor’s degree and complete all the basic groundwork like biology, chemistry, biochemistry and even English. There are couple of options you can take in college. One is to major in biology and take marine biology as a specialization course. Second, it is also highly recommended that you take up a master’s degree after college, since some institutions require you to have one as a minimum requirement. You can expect a more solid position and a higher salary if you finish a doctorate degree.

Choosing the Career

There are several related jobs and fields, so you do not have to end up as a marine biologist. You can work as research assistant, research professor or lab technician at a community college or high school if you finish a master’s degree. If you finish your doctorate degree, you can teach at the college level and become government environmental consultant. You can work for different agencies and companies, such as a nature conservation, water company or tourism group.

Marine biologists earn an average annual salary of $53,000. The top doctorates in the field make about $115,000 and above. You can find several web sites online where you can compare different jobs and discuss how much you can expect. You should also consider the assignments and locations where you will most likely be working.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO

There are several aspects of marine biology. Some of these tend to be very boring and take several trials and repetitions before you can come up with a definite conclusion or results. If you, however, study mammals instead, you may realize that research tends to become more interesting and easier, since these animals react very quickly. You will have more data to gather and observe, thereby providing you the opportunity to enhance your skills.

The 3 Orders

Marine mammals are generally grouped into 3 orders. The order Cetacea includes dolphins, whales and porpoises. The order Pinnipedia involves walruses, seals and sea lions. The order Sirenia includes dugongs and manatees.

The whole lifecycle of the order Cetacea is aquatic. There are a couple of sub-orders founded on the feeding mechanism, namely Odonticeti and Mysticeti. The order Pinnipedia involves part of their lifecycle being terrestrial. The word Pinnipedia means “feather-footed” since the animals possess 4 webbed fins. These can be found in all oceans, but most reside at high latitudes, traveling usually in herds and carrying out very long migrations. The order Sirenia usually spends their whole lifecycle in the water. These are the only aquatic animals that eat plants mainly.

The Suborders of Cetacea

The sub-order Mysticeti includes baleen whales and blue whales. These animals use baleens or brush-like triangular continuously renewing plates that hang from the roof of the mouth, with 480 plates on each jaw side. The plates filter zooplankton, squid and small fish, with the tongue moving the food into the throat.

Now that we’ve covered those aspects of Marine Biology, let’s turn to some of the other factors that need to be considered.

Right whales are skim feeders, grey whales feed via a suction mechanism on animals living on the bottom of the ocean and minke whales feed by gulping and lunging. Different whales use various approaches to eat successfully. The sub-order odonticeti includes mammals that have their first teeth remain until they die. These grasp and swallow whole prey. A good example is the killer whale.

About the Pinnipeds

Pinnipeds have a low SA/V ratio and develop insulation via their hair and blubber. Fur seals can have so many hair belonging to either underfur fibers and guard hairs. These all moult, especially during the summer after breeding period, while others just remain out of the water until complete. Pinnipeds exhale before deep dives and have high myoglobin and hemoglobin concentrations. These animals feed usually on fish and squid. The walrus will use their tusks to dig for animals living on the bottom.

The Sirenia

Sirenians are distributed widely but are usually caught for their hides, meat and oil. They are particularly prone because they are placid and slow moving. Danger comes mainly from powerboats at present and their loss of habitat. These animals are very social but now prefer to go in family groups or alone.

Dugongs are usually found in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Manatees can be found in Atlantic coastal waters. Sireneans inhale before they dive into the water, just like whales. These can dive for 10 to 20 minutes. Bristles can detect food to help themselves tide over the lean months.

About the Author
By Anders Eriksson, feel free to visit his top ranked GVO affiliate site: GVO