All of the day to day operations on the Coral Reef II are all handled by just three people. Our two captains, Captain John Rothchild and Captain Lou Roth, don't just drive the boat. They also fix whatever breaks and keep everything in ship shape. They are helped by Chef Matt Cohen, who cooks our breakfast lunch and dinner. In this podcast Captain Lou Roth talks about life on the Coral Reef II and why he always enjoys the annual iguana research trip.

Listen to Captain Lou's interview!


You will need Flash 8.0 or higher to view all of our videos, click here to download the player

All images in the slideshow (c) Shedd Aquarium unless otherwise noted.

We have been working hard to collect and study as many iguanas as we can over the past few days, and each day we look forward to returning to the R/V Coral Reef II so that we can hook up our satellite terminal and download all of your questions and comments. It feels great to know students across the United States are learning along with us, and we really enjoy answering your questions. At night we are busy processing all of the blood samples that are collected from the iguanas we captured, but we are doing our best to answer as many questions as we can each night. We have answered some of your questions below, and we look forward to answering more tomorrow.

Keep Exploring!

Dave

What is the longest iguana you've ever found?

Head to tail iguanas can be as long as 52 inches (132 centimeters)

How do iguanas talk to each other?

Iguanas don't exactly talk to each other like people do, but they do communicate with one another through bobbing their heads, puffing up their bodies and other movements.

What do we need to do to become a scientist?

Start exploring and asking questions about the world around you! In school, take as many science, math and computer classes as you are able. When you're old enough, consider volunteering at local scientific organizations like zoos, aquariums, nature centers, labs and science museums.

How old do the iguanas in the Bahamas get?

We know that Andros iguanas can live to be at least 50 years old, but some scientists think they can live up to 80 years.

What's it like to live on a boat? Where do you sleep and how do you eat?

Living on a boat is like living in a floating house with 16 people. Two people share each bedroom, or cabin. We have 3 tiny bathrooms, which are called heads on a boat, and a large common area called a salon. For breakfast and dinner we eat in the salon at two big tables like a family. But lunch is usually eaten in the field. We have two Captains that are in charge of driving the research vessel and the small boats we use to go to shore. We also have a chef on board.

Do they ever bite you or do the gloves help?

We know how to handle the iguanas so they aren't easily able to bite us, but we wear gloves to be safe because they have been known to bite.

What types of information do you collect from the iguanas?

We collect a lot of different information about the iguanas. For example we weigh and measure them, take blood samples, determine whether they're male or female, and take pictures before we release them. This information helps scientists learn how many male and female iguanas live in the area, and how much they've grown since the last time we saw them. Just like the doctor taking your weight and measurements at a physical. The blood samples can tell scientists about the health of the iguanas.

 

We would like to thank all the students who have sent us questions and given us suggestions for things we should study. In today's notes from the trail we have tried to answer as many of your questions as possible.

Now that we know what topics you would like us to focus on, we need to know what kinds of content you would like us to produce. We have been staying up until 1 or 2 in the morning working on the videos, mystery photos, notes from the trail, and other content. We would love to post new daily dilemmas, videos clips, photos, mystery photos, and videos each night, but we keep running out of time.

What are your favorite kinds of content? What should we do to solve this dilemma?

 

We have received many questions from students over the past few days, so we decided to use today's Notes from the Trail to answer as many questions as we can.

What types of fish live in the water? Can you take pictures of them under the water?

There are hundreds of fish in the Bahamas, but some of the more common fish we might see while snorkeling in Andros include: spotted eagle rays, barracuda, parrotfish, needlefish, snappers, nassau grouper, sergeant majors, bluehead wrasse and nurse sharks. Hopefully you can research some of these fish on your own. Yes, it is possible to take pictures underwater with special waterproof cameras.

How did the iguanas escape after you spotted it? Are they really fast? Do you name them? How do you release them?

The iguanas escape after being spotted for a couple of reasons. First, they are indeed very fast and much better suited to the rocky terrain and dense vegetation than we are. So they will sometimes simply outrun us. They also know the area well and have holes they can dart into to elude us. We can sometimes pull them out of the holes, but if there is a risk to either the iguana or ourselves, we will let them go.
Once captured the iguanas are given numbers as a means of identification. This makes it easier to keep track of which iguanas we see and is also easier to work with when processing a large number of animals.

When we are finished collecting data, the iguanas are returned to the same area they were caught. One of the reasons this is done is because males are territorial, and we want to make sure they are returned to their home range.

Can you guys look at the aquatic life in the ocean like all the fish?

Since we are in the Bahamas to study iguanas, we have limited ability and time to study aquatic life also. We do have the opportunity to see dolphins, fish and invertebrates while we're aboard the research vessel. We also see a lot of plants and birds while we're looking for the iguanas on the islands.

My old teacher had an iguana for a pet. Do these make good pets?Hers was a green one.

Well, Bahamian iguanas are protected because they're endangered and therefore can't be pets. There are types of iguanas, like green iguanas, that are a better choice, but only for pet owners with a great deal of knowledge about how to keep an exotic animal like an iguana. Iguanas are very difficult to keep, requiring fresh food every day for 15-20 years. Iguanas also get very big and need a lot of room to get exercise. It's important to remember that iguanas are wild animals and will only become comfortable with humans after quite a bit of interaction.

Do you have to track the iguanas or do you just set out looking for them? When you find them, do you have to surround them and use a net, or do you just use your hands?

These iguanas don't have radio transmitters so we aren't 'tracking' them exactly. Instead we walk as a group through an area, looking all around until we spot one. This can be quite tough, because they can hold very still and their color blends very well with the vegetation.
When one of us spots an iguana we call the rest of the team to come help. We have to move carefully, because we don't want to scare it and make it run away. All of us surround the iguana, and we work to encourage it to move toward whoever has the best chance of getting their net over it. As soon as one of us gets a net on it we have to move fast to secure it, because iguanas move extremely fast.

 

From our floating research station, the R/V Coral Reef II, we are studying the Bahamian Andros iguana. Finding iguanas can be difficult, and today was our first day scrambling over rocky, brush-choked terrain searching for these large, endangerd lizards.

Adrenaline surges through you when an iguana is spotted and it takes a lot of teamwork to surround and capture each animal. We spotted ten animals and were able to capture and release four of them. Dr. Knapp has captured and released many of the animals before and over time, with the help of volunteers, he is gathering a wealth of data which he hopes will lead to a National Park set up specifically to protect the Andros iguanas.

West Indian Rock Iguanas are one of the most endangered groups of lizards in the world, which is one of the main reasons Dr. Charles Knapp, and a group of volunteers organized by the John G. Shedd Aquarium have been studying the Bahamian Iguanas since 1995.

Habitat loss, hunting pressure, and dogs, cats, pigs, and other non-native animals are the main threats the iguanas face. Headed by Dr. Charles Knapp, Shedd Aquarium has been studying West Indian Rock Iguanas since 1995. Each year Dr. Knapp leads a team of scientists and volunteers on a week long research project to collect data about iguana populations.

One of Dr. Knapp's main goals is to use information we are collecting to educate Bahamians about the iguana and help facilitate the formation of a National Park on South Andros Island. After one day in this wild place it is easy to see the importance of protecting these endangered animals.

Keep Exploring!

Dave

 

References

Communique - American Zoo and Aquarium Association - July 1999

Iguana - volume 12, number 1 - March 2005

For the next week our 13 person research team will focus most of our energy searching for, capturing, studying and then releasing Bahamian Andros Iguanas. As we search Andros for iguanas we are sure to encounter a wide range of plants and animals. Plus, we plan to spend some time snorkeling to learn about life below the surface.

We need you to help us decide what other things you would like us to look at. What are you interested in learning about, and why?

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

In the next 5 minutes the Coral Reef II will leave Miami for the Bahamas.

The captains are expecting 6 to 8 foot seas, it should be an interesting ride. We are all looking forward to arriving in the Bahamas and starting the Iguana Research.

Dave

We hope you will join us for daily updates from the Bahamas from March 21st through March 30th. We will be posting videos, photos, and lots of other information about our Iguana Research in the Bahamas.

Please take a few minutes to explore our Bahamas library to learn about many of the amazing plants and animals that live in the Bahamas.

You may also be interested in visiting the High School Marine Biology site, which contains additional information about the Bahamas.

The appearance of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus, consists of a hard spine that covers its shell, a pair of sensory antennae that are folded along its side when not in use, and a mainly brown-gray body with stripes and yellow spots on the segmented tail. These lobsters can swim backwards to safety by rapidly moving their large tails. This spiny lobster has compound eyes that detect orientation, form, light, and color. The Caribbean spiny lobster does not have pinching claws.
The lobster can grow from a planktonic larva to be 60 cm in length. It can be found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico. It is a nocturnal species that inhabits coral reefs where it can hide during the day. The lobster feeds upon gastropods, chitons, bivalves, carrion, sea urchins, worms, crustaceans, and some sea vegetation. It is the prey of by moray eels and nurse sharks. The spiny lobster is a popular seafood and commercially fished.

• MarineBio.org. "Panulirus argus, Caribbean Spiny Lobster."
• http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=155

Long Spined Urchin (Diadema antillarum):
The Long Spined Urchin or "regular" urchin, as it is referred to, is a fair sized echinoderm residing in the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean. It is usually black, although, it can sometimes be white. Adults can be up to 50 cm in length and have painful spines. These spines are used as defense against predators. They live on hard and soft surfaces over the ocean bottom usually in shallow water. They have slow movements and eat algae.

• Farland, K.C. and J.B. Woods. "Marine Invertebrates of Bermuda: Long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum)."
• http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/MarineInvertebrateZoology/Diademaantillarum.html
  

The spotted moray eel, or spotted moray, is a medium sized eel found around the Bahamas and the Atlantic Ocean. This eel grows 3-4 feet in length at adult size. It is referred to as a spotted moray due to the round overlapping dark brown or sometimes purplish spots which cover its white or yellow body. It is a solitary species residing in the benthic zone, preferring coral reef, shallow rocky and grassy bottom areas. It is mostly diurnal, active during the day, and may even work with other ocean predators to catch prey such as crustaceans and fish. It bites prey using sharp teeth and its bite is also dangerous to humans.

• Fishbase. "Gymnothorax moringa: Spotted moray."
• http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=7547

Ghost Crabs are found on sandy beaches all along the Eastern United States and Northern Australian coast. Their tan color allows them to blend in well with the sand which is where they burrow and hide during the day. At night, the omnivorous crab feeds on other crabs, clams, insects, vegetations and detritus. It uses its large eyes, characteristic larger claw and ability to scuttle across the beach as fast as 10 miles per hour to capture food and avoid predation. This crab's large eyes are sensitive to light and allow it to see 360 degrees. Younger crabs are found near the shore and older ones can be found further inland. Ghost crabs hibernate during the winter, holding their breath for six months in special sacs near their gills.

• Shields, J. Virginia Institute of Marine Science. "THE GHOST CRAB, Ocypode quadrata."
• http://www.vims.edu/~jeff/ghost.htm
• Knott, D. "Atlantic Ghost Crab: Ocypode quadrata." South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
• http://www.dnr.sc.gov/cwcs/pdf/Ghostcrab.pdf
  

Squirrelfish are found from North Carolina to East and West Florida. They are also found in Bermuda, parts of the Gulf of Mexico, West Indies and the Caribbean south to Brazil. They are dull red or pinkish in color and are sometimes blotched. They are spiny and most have a clear dorsal fin with yellow. They can reach up to about 12 inches in length. These fish are nocturnal and hide in coral during the day. At night, they swim over sand and grass beds looking for food. Their diet consists of mostly crabs but they also eat other crustaceans. This species is capable of producing sounds.

• MarineBio.org. "Species: Holocentrus adscensionis Squirrelfish."
• http://www.marinebio.com/species.asp?id=42
• FishBase.org. "Species Summary: Holocentrus adscensionis Squirrelfish."
• http://www.fishbase.org/summary/speciessummary.php?id=1061

With a long, narrow jaw and an elongated body, the common name "Needlefish" fits very well. They also have an abundance of very sharp teeth. They tend to inhabit marine environments in the tropics, but also can be found in temperate waters and have even adapted to freshwater and brackish environments.

For the most part, needlefish stay in shallow waters; otherwise they stay near the surface. Getting up to 40cm in length, they feed on smaller fish, crustaceans, cephalopods, and plankton. When hunting, they catch their prey using a sideways sweep of their head. Freshwater needlefish may also find insects, tadpoles and frogs as their popular prey.

• Andrews University. "Organisms / Vertebrates / Atlantic Needlefish."
• http://www.biol.andrews.edu/everglades/organisms/Vertebrates/Fish/Atlantic%20Needlefish/atlantic_needlefish_index.html
• FishBase. "Species Summary: Strongylura marina Atlantic needlefish.
• http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=974
  

Such a magnificent, social mammal the Atlantic Bottle Nosed Dolphin is or otherwise known as Tursiops turcatus. They can be found in warm, shallow, inland temperate and tropical oceans or seas. This type of dolphin would be the largest of the beaked dolphins, with males being considerably larger.

In the wild, these dolphins eat squid, shrimp, eels, and varieties of fish and can swim up to 12mph. As social animals they hunt in teams and work in groups as many as a dozen. They don't migrate but travel widely to locate food or even seek out preferred water temperatures.

Males fight viciously to breed with females. Gestation period is 12 months and offspring in European waters are born in mid summer while by Florida, offspring are born between February and May. Lactation last 12-18 months, but young begin eating solid foods at less than 6 months old. Mother and calf remain close until the calf reaches 4 or 5 years of age, but until then, the bond is inseparable.

• National Aquarium in Baltimore. "Animals Index: Atlantic bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncates."
• http://www.aqua.org/animals_atlanticbottlenosedolphin.html
• Ballenger, L. and T. Lindsley. 2003. "Species: Tursiops truncatus bottlenosed dolphin." University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web.
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Tursiops_truncatus.html
• Sea World. "Animal Bytes: Bottlenose Dolphin."
• http://www.seaworld.org/animal-info/Animal-bytes/animalia/eumetazoa/coelomates/deuterostomes/chordata/craniata/mammalia/cetacea/bottlenose-dolphin.htm
  

The Balistes vetula is distinguished by its two blue face lines, dorsal and tail fin streamers, and eyelash coloring around the eyes. It ranges in size from 8 to 24 inches. The Queen triggerfish navigates reef tops, coral rubble, and grass beds by swimming with its dorsal and anal fins. It is mainly found in tropical climates in the Eastern and Western Atlantic.
The Queen triggerfish can also be recognized by the behavior common to its family of extending out and locking its spine. It is a shy fish and when frightened or hiding from predators the fish can hide in rocks and lock its stout head spine upright against the rock. The Queen triggerfish feeds on a variety of invertebrates, mainly benthic, like sea urchins, clams, and crabs. It can puff water at sea urchins to flip them over and make the unprotected underbelly vulnerable. The eyes of the Queen triggerfish are also set farther back so as to protect it while finding food, like the sea urchin.

• California State University, Long Beach. "Species: Queen Triggerfish."
• http://www.csulb.edu/
  
• Fishbase. "Balistes vetula: Queen Triggerfish."
• http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=19
  
• Pamper, Keith. 2008. Personal Interaction. HSMB Pre-trip Classes.

The Red Mangrove is one of three mangrove species found in Bimini. Red mangroves serve as feeding, breeding, and a nursery for different fish, birds, and other wild life. They produce 3.6 tons of leaf litter per year. What identifies a Red mangrove is it's tall arching roots called pop roots. They also trap mud therefore increasing the soil around them. Red mangroves are found closest to the water, and can be used for fuel, and charcoal.

• University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation. "Florida Forest Trees: Red Mangrove."
• http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Red_mangrove/redmangr.htm

The Brain Coral, or Lobophyllia, get their name from the resemblance that they have to a human brain. Coral Polyps make up the brain coral and therefore form the grooves that make the coral look like the human brain. They are found in upper reef slopes and lagoons because they are able to stand up to strong currents. It takes hundreds of years to grow to maturity but it can reach a maximum size of 7 feet around. They eat zooplankton, tiny plants, and phytoplankton. The corals need a lot of light so they are nocturnal and eat at night.

• John G. Shedd Aquarium. "Explorer's Guide: Brain Coral.
• http://www.sheddaquarium.org/sea/fact_sheets.cfm?id=91

The Spanish Hogfish, or Bodianus Rufus, can be found in the Atlantic Ocean from Florida to Brazil. They belong to the Wrasse family. They grow to a maximum of 10 inches. The fish has a vibrant yellow color with purple coloring at the top. They live in rocky or coral reefs. They are known to swim in pacts. The juvenile Hogfish helps to rid other fish of parasites by eating them. Over, as they become adults the Spanish Hogfish begin to eat crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins and other invertebrates. The Hogfish is able to hyperextend its jaw in order to open its mouth much larger than normal. It can grow to a maximum of 8-10 inches.

• Fishbase. "Bodianus rufus: Spanish hogfish" Fishbase.org.
• http://www.fishbase.org/summary/SpeciesSummary.php?id=1067
  
• Sea World. "Animal Bytes: Spanish Hogfish."
• http://www.seaworld.org/wild-world/safari/virtual-aquarium/spanish-hogfish.htm

The Nurse Shark is a sea creature found most common in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific oceans. The nurse shark is nocturnal, which means it comes out at night and sleeps in caves in shallow waters during the day. Nurse sharks travel in packs of 40 very close together. The nurse shark typically feeds on fish, stingrays, and molluscs. There are no species that prey on the Nurse shark. Nurse Sharks are mainly non aggressive.

• Guarracino, Mario. "Biological Profile: Nurse Shark." Florida Museum of Natural History.
• http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/nurseshark/nurseshark.htm

The Pink Tipped Anemone, also known as the Haitian anemone, is found in the western portion of the Atlantic Ocean. This type of anemone can be found alone or communally, in small groups, in environments with good lighting and a reasonable current. It is relatively tough and sturdy and can anchor itself in rocky and sandy substrates.

The pink tipped anemone's thick, white or tan tentacles are commonly tipped with an obvious bright or light pink color hence its name. The base of this anemone is also the same white or tan color as the tentacles.

Generally, pink tipped anemones' diets consist of small fish along with shrimp and small invertebrates. Their tentacles do have the ability to sting, which can aid them in catching these small meals.

• CentralPets.com. "Fish and Aquatic inverts: Pink-tipped Anemone."
• http://www.centralpets.com/animals/fish/saltwater_inverts/swi1675.html
  
• Zahra, M. and J.B. Wood. "Marine Invertebrates of Bermuda: Giant Caribbean Sea Anemone (Condylactis gigantea)."
• http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/MarineInvertebrateZoology/Condylactisgigantea.html

The Foureye Butterflyfish gets its name from its unique false eyespots, dark black spots towards the rear end of the fish. These spots help to confuse predators into thinking that the rear of the fish is actually the front. The butterflyfish's real eyes are concealed by a dark, vertical bar, which can further mislead a predator. This fish can range from at least three inches up to about six inches in size, and its thin and oval shape helps it to move easily in the water through the flitting and beating of its delicate fins.

The foureye butterflyfish is almost always grazing on small invertebrates in small crevices and cracks in the reef using its small, specialized mouth. It is active during the day, and, at night, it shelters itself in the reef to keep out of the reach of predators.

The foureye butterflyfish is found primarily in the western areas of the Atlantic Ocean. It typically lives in shallower waters of these subtropical regions

• Patton, Casey. "Biological Profiles: Four-eye Butterflyfish." Florida Museum of Natural History.
• http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/ButterflyFour/ButterflyFour.htm
  
• Wu, Qing Quig. "Species: Chaetodon capistratus foureye butterflyfish." University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web.
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Chaetodon_capistratus.html

Vibrantly colored, these beautiful creatures in their adult stage are blue with yellow and green and live around coral reefs in the ocean. They tend to sleep in open spaces among the reefs to more easily escape from predators. In their initial state their colors are black with a full red underside. As juveniles have three bars of white scales along their black bodies. As adults they can reach up to 22 inches in length. They feed on coral and algae since they have beaks so if one hears a chomping noise while snorkeling, it is most likely some sort of parrotfish chewing on the corals.. As for reproduction these creatures can go through sex changes throughout their lives.

• Bester, Cathleen. "Biological Profiles: Stoplight Parrotfish." Florida Museum of Natural History.
• http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/Sparrotfish/SParrotfish.html
  
• Leonard, Jared. "Marine Ecology Articles: Stoplight Parrotfish." Miami University (Ohio): Hays Cumins' Home Page.
• http://jrscience.wcp.muohio.edu/fieldcourses03/PapersMarineEcologyArticles/StoplightParrotfish.html

These interesting birds have a body that's all white with the exception of their head which switches from a white color in the summer to black in the winter. Juvenile body feathers are brownish but they also have the black and white head colors. The Laughing Gull will swoop down from the air to catch fish in their beaks and crabs found on shore but will eat anything to survive. They tend to eat at night but are active in the day and can usually be found in large colonies. These birds live along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and grow to about 13 inches long. They have a great tolerance for intense temperatures. The laughing gull makes a sound, "ha ha ha" thus the name "laughing gull".

• Cornell University Lab of Ornithology. "All About Birds: Laughing Gull.
• http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Laughing_Gull.html
  
• Honolulu Zoo. "Animal Info: Laughing Gull.
• http://www.honoluluzoo.org/laughing_gull.htm
  
• Audubon Society. "Project Puffin: Laughing Gull.
• http://www.audubon.org/bird/puffin/virtual/lagu.html

Soft Coral are members of the order Alcyonacea. These corals are found in all of the world's oceans being most abundant in tropical waters. They can be found as deep as 150 feet and can grow larger than 2 feet. Soft Coral differ from hard coral because they do not have stony outer skeletons. Therefore they are not reef building corals. Soft corals reproduce asexually which means they reproduce alone. This happens through a process called budding where the parent makes a smaller copy of itself that breaks away. Soft Coral uses chemicals to defend itself. The chemicals prevent the growth of other coral in the area. These corals may also use chemicals to clean bacteria and other elements near their bodies. This not only benefits them, but also the other organisms nearby.

• PetEducation.com. "Soft Corals, Stoloniferans, Gorgonians, Sea Pens.
• http://www.peteducation.com/category_summary.cfm?cls=16&cat=1926
  
• Milstein, Mati. July 13, 2007. "Soft Corals "Melting" Due to Warming, Expert Says." National Geographic News.
• http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/07/070713-corals-melt.html
  

Most Blennies reach the size of around 7 inches. These fish are closely related to the Gobi's. Blennies are usually recognized by the eye lashes that go over their eyes and nostrils. They are bottom dwellers and are usually near coral reefs and rocky areas. They are found in tropical and temperate waters around the world. Blennies spend most of their time grazing on micro algae and small crustaceans. There are no distinguishing facts present to help identify males from females, although the females are usually bigger than the males.

• Animal Planet. 2008. "Fish Guide: Blennies."
• http://animal.discovery.com/guides/fish/marine/blennintro.html

Sargassum is a phaeophyta that is located throughout various parts of the world, mostly in the Pacific Ocean. Nonetheless, it can also be found in the Caribbean. This is a type of phytoplankton because its root system is free floating and not anchored in the ground therefore this algae is at the mercy of the currents. It is able to stay afloat by long stringy blades and floaters. By staying near the surface of the water, it is able to carry out the process of photosynthesis much more easily. This seaweed is very important to the marine environment being both a source of food and providing shelter for many aquatic plants and animals. Conservation efforts have been put into place to limit or ban the harvesting of Sargassum. These efforts have focused around sea turtles because of its importance to hatchlings. Sargassum forests are important to sea turtle hatchlings by being a food source and as a nursery where they can find safety until they are large enough to move into the open ocean.

Phillips, N., Smith, C., Morden, C., and Fredericq, S. December 2000. GLOBAL "SYSTEMATIC AND PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF SARGASSUM IN THE GULF OF MEXICO, CARIBBEAN AND PACIFIC BASIN."

• Journal of Phycology. Volume 36, Supplement 3. pp. 55-55(1).
• http://www.ingentaconnect.com/
  
• Caribbean Turtle Conservation Corporation and Sea Turtle Survival League. "Help Ban the Harvest of Sargassum -- A Vital Habitat for Hatchling Sea Turtles."
• http://www.cccturtle.org/alerts/a_sargassum.htm

Found throughout Peru, the Caribbean, and Cuba, there are 28 species of Curly-Tailed Lizards. As adults, these lizards are between 6 to 14 inches in length, depending on species. They typically have large dorsal or top scales. The habitats of Curly-Tailed lizards can range from open forests and rocky steppes to sandy beaches. Their name derives from their action of whipping or curling their tails when they are excited or alarmed. Like most lizards, they lay eggs and are land-dwelling. The main source of food for Curly-Tailed Lizards is arthropods, which includes insects, crustaceans and arachnids. They are also diurnal, which means they are active during the day.

• Kaplan, Melissa. 2001. "Herp Care Collection: Curly -tailed Lizard.
• http://www.anapsid.org/curlytailed.html

The yellow stingray is a member of the Urolophidea. This ray can be found in Atlantic coastal waters from North Carolina to Florida and throughout the Gulf of Mexico. It is typically found in shallow water in sandy and muddy habitats, often buried in the bottom. The yellow stingray is characterized by a round body. It has a well developed caudal fin that extends around the tip of its tail. The tail spine is located just anterior or underneath the caudal fin.

• Florida Museum of natural History. "Biological Profiles: Yellow Stingray."
• http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/Gallery/Descript/YellowStingray/YellowStingray.html

The Sphyraena Barracuda also known as the Great Barracuda is found in nearly all the warm seas. Most barracudas are found in the tropical regions of the Indo-Pacific and Atlantic oceans in and around coral reefs. The larval stages live in the reef margins and in the estuaries where they are protected. Great Barracudas are usually found in water temperatures between 74F and 82F, but have been found in much cooler water. Barracudas are characterized by their long silvery body with two wide dorsal fins. The Great Barracuda is a solitary animal which will sometimes school. When they school it is typically for hunting or protection. Barracudas are known to be vicious fish.

• Fuller, Brianne. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web. "Species: Sphyraena barracuda great barracuda."
• http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Sphyraena_barracuda.html