Marine animals: names and species

The underwater world of the seas and oceans is diverse.Here at the depths of many meters are picturesque sea animals. The names of many of them were given by scientists taking into account their distinctive features: body shape, fins, color, patterns on the skin, similarities with some terrestrial individuals, etc. Thus, some of the invertebrates were named "starfish", "truffles", etc.

Types of marine animals

Underwater inhabitants can be divided into the following groups:

• invertebrates;
• mammals;
• crustaceans;
• fish;
• turtles and snakes.

Marine invertebrates

Invertebrates include the following liveOrganisms: sea anemones, sea lilies, starfish, sea urchins, clams, sponges, corals, jellyfish, squid, nautilus, octopus, oysters, gloturia, triacnas, etc. These animals are devoid of an axial skeleton. They most often inhabit the tropical seas and are distinguished by their bizarre forms and the brightest colors. The one who sees them in water for the first time does not even suspect that these are living beings. Rather, it can be decided that these are peculiar plants, rather than sea animals. The names of each of them indicate the distinctive features of their "owner". Thus, the sea sponge has a spongy structure, and the sea urchin is covered with thorns, the starfish is shaped like a star.

Marine mammals

According to some theories, marine mammalsare our distant ancestors. After all, the world first appeared in the water. Pinnipeds (seals, seals, sea lions, walruses, etc.) and cetaceans existed about 26 million years ago. Some of these species died, they were replaced by new ones. Today, science knows about 120 species of mammals - the inhabitants of the seas and oceans. They can be combined into three large groups: whales, dolphins, seals.

Sea animals whose photos and namesThe above are perhaps the most unique and interesting creatures on the planet. Bottlenose dolphins, dolphins, striped and spotted dolphins - these animals are the most studied by zoologists and are in constant contact with humans, but much of their behavior remains a mystery to us.

Crustaceans

These animals belong to the class of aquatic animals.type of arthropods. It includes crayfish, crabs, lobster, shrimp, lobster, etc. These sea animals, whose names can be found in the menu of Japanese, Chinese, Italian and other cuisines, are the most valuable products rich in iodine, protein, phosphorus and other useful substances. However, some of them are very rare and are listed in the Red Book.

Fish

This is the largest group of marine inhabitants.What only colors and forms they are not. They have the most different sizes: from microscopic to giant. Fish can be both peaceful inhabitants of the water depths, and bloodthirsty predators, which primarily include the so-called "wolves" of the seas - sharks. These are large predatory sea animals whose names indicate with which of earth animals they are compared. For example, there are feline, tiger, bull, leopard, zebra sharks, and not all of them are bloodthirsty creatures. By the way, the leopard is a peaceful creature that almost never attacks a person, unlike the white shark - the greatest hunter. They say that she is very clever and clever. But the slope, for example, is very dangerous for a person, because it carries a significant electrical charge and can cause death. However, most fish are peaceful creatures that become easy prey for humans.

Turtles and snakes

Turtles are the only reptiles thathave armor. These sea animals have very intricate names: Bissa, Loggerhead, Ridleya and Green Turtle. Some of them are large. As for sea snakes, they are close relatives of asps. However, in the way of life they are very different from their earthly relatives.