The oceans hold some of the most spectacular life on the planet — let’s help protect them.
The biggest animal in the world lives in the ocean — the blue whale. These oceanic rulers are so large, reaching up to 100 feet in length and weighing 200 tons, even their hearts exist in mammoth sizes, weighing as much as a car!
While the blue whale can live up to 80-90 years, there exists life beneath the ocean’s surface boasting even longer lifespans. The oldest recorded Greenland shark was 400-years-old and oldest living quahog (a type of clam) lived to be 507. Even more impressive, is the immortal jellyfish, which has the somewhat supernatural ability to age backwards — transforming its existing cells into younger ones.
Oceans abound with intelligent life, from maze-solving octopuses to cunning orcas. One of the smartest animals in the world is said to be found in the ocean: sperm whales. These creatures are self-aware, use problem-solving, acquire language, and have complex social systems.
An ocean in crisis
Today, life in our oceans faces an uncertain future. As carbon emissions and pollution rise, oceans are becoming more acidic and unable to sustain life as they once could; half of marine species may be on the brink of extinction by the end of this century.
But there is hope. If given the chance, species can rebound, such as the gray whale, which was recently was spotted after being considered extinct for 200 years in the Atlantic Ocean.
This WORLD OCEAN DAY, let’s celebrate our OCEANS by helping to safeguard all the incredible species that call its waters home. Donate now to support leading marine organizations.
