The ocean can be a dangerous place
and sea creatures have developed
a number of clever techniques to
increase their chances of staying alive.
Survival in the sea
Stonefish
have lumpy,
mottled skin that blends
perfectly with the sea floor.
Pipefish
swim upright,
making them almost
invisible amongst seagrass.
Leopard sharks
have a
patterning on their skin
that helps them to hide.
Blending in
Many of the ocean’s
inhabitants are masters
of disguise.
Survival in the sea
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On guard!
Some sea creatures will sting or attack
if threatened. Lionfish spines
contain venom that can stop a
fish moving or kill it. Divers are
careful not to touch lionfish.
Lost in
the crowd
Many fish swim
together in shoals.
When they all start
moving at the same speed
and in the same direction
to confuse predators, it is
called “schooling”.
Jellyfish are survivors. There were jellyfish in the oceans 650 million years ago.