Dive into World Oceans Day: Discover 5 Exotic Ocean Animals!

Welcome to a captivating journey through the depths of our planet's magnificent oceans! Join us on an extraordinary voyage as we celebrate the wonders of our oceans on World Oceans Day (June 8). Get ready to dive into the mesmerizing world of ocean animals alongside your curious 4–8-year-olds. 

Our vast oceans hold secrets and treasures beyond imagination. Let’s embark on an exciting exploration, encountering various enchanting sea creatures that call the ocean their home. From leafy sea dragons to mysterious deep-sea creatures, each animal has its own unique story to share. We'll discover an array of exotic animals that will leave us in awe.

Also read: Birds and animals that do winter better than humans!

So, let's dive into the magic of World Oceans Day together as we uncover the captivating wonders of ocean animals. Get ready for an adventure like no other, where sea creatures and exotic animals await to ignite curiosity and spark a love for our magnificent oceans.

Discover 5 Fascinating Exotic Ocean Animals

The ocean is a big place. It covers over 70% of the Earth's surface, and it is home to many different animals. There are over 200,000 known species of marine animals, and many more have yet to be discovered! ¹

1. Peacock Mantis Shrimp

Fun Fact:

The Peacock Mantis Shrimp has one of the fastest punches, which can deliver lightning-fast strikes in the animal kingdom.

Characteristics:

• The Peacock Mantis Shrimp displays stunning rainbow-like colors.
• The shrimp's eyes can see different colors and polarized light.
• It digs burrows in the ocean floor using its strong claws.
• The Peacock Mantis Shrimp patiently waits for prey and strikes with precision.
• The Peacock Mantis Shrimp has strong claws that can break open hard shells with ease.

2. Parrotfish

Fun Fact:

Parrotfish can change its colors, shape, and gender from female to male, during its lifetime.

Characteristics:

• They sport vibrant and eye-catching scales, often resembling the colors of a parrot.
• Parrotfish have a unique beak-shaped mouth that helps them scrape algae off coral reefs.
• At night, parrotfish wrap themselves in a protective mucus blanket to hide their scent from predators.
• Parrotfish eat coral, and their excrement is actually fine sand that helps create beautiful sandy beaches.
• Parrotfish often swim in groups called schools, providing safety and companionship.
• Some species of parrotfish can grow quickly, adding as much as an inch (2.5 centimeter) to their length in just a week!

Also read: Fascinating facts about 8 animals that might surprise your little one

3. Glaucus Atlanticus

Fun Fact:

The Glaucus Atlanticus, also known as the “blue dragon,” floats upside down on the ocean surface.

Characteristics:

• The blue dragon has a stunning blue coloration on its body, making it a true gem of the sea.
• Despite its small size, the blue dragon preys on venomous creatures like jellyfish and stores their stinging cells for self-defense.
• It has multiple hearts, allowing it to circulate blood efficiently in its delicate body.
• The Blue Dragon can digest and absorb nutrients from its prey that are larger than itself.
• It spends its life floating and drifting with ocean currents, allowing it to travel long distances.
• The Blue Dragon is a hermaphrodite, possessing both male and female reproductive organs.

4. Leafy Sea Dragon

Fun Fact:

Leafy Sea Dragons have the incredible ability to change their colors to match their surroundings, helping them stay hidden from predators and prey alike!

Characteristics:

• They are native to the southern and western coasts of Australia, making them a unique and endemic species.
• They move gracefully through the water, propelled by tiny, transparent fins on their sides and a small, undulating dorsal fin.
• Male leafy sea dragons are responsible for carrying and protecting the eggs in a brood patch located on their tails until they hatch.
• Leafy Sea Dragons have a slow and deliberate way of swimming, allowing them to blend in with their surroundings.
• They have large, independently moving eyes that help them spot tiny prey, such as small crustaceans and plankton.
• Leafy Sea Dragons can grow up to 14 inches (35 centimeters) in length, with females being slightly larger than males.

Also read: Farm Animals for Kids: Free Printable and Coloring Pages

5. Feather Star

Fun Fact:

Feather Stars, also called “crinoids,” can regenerate their lost arms.

Characteristics:

• Feather Stars have delicate, feathery arms that resemble flower petals.
• They come in a range of vibrant colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, and purple.
• They have been around for millions of years and are considered living fossils.
• They use their arms to capture tiny plankton and organic particles from the water for food.
• Feather Stars attach themselves to the ocean floor or coral reefs using a stalk called a "stem."
• Feather Stars can curl their arms and use tiny hair-like structures called "cirri" to crawl along the seafloor.

Also read: 5 Endangered Birds of America

Wasn’t it an incredible journey where we explored the fascinating world of ocean animals? From the mighty punches of the peacock mantis shrimp to the color-changing abilities of the leafy sea dragon, each creature has captivated us with its unique characteristics. We've encountered parrotfish, Glaucus Atlanticus, and feather stars, each revealing their remarkable adaptations and behaviors.

World Oceans Day is a reminder of the wonders that lie beneath the surface and the need to preserve our marine habitats. As we continue to learn and explore, let's carry the spirit of curiosity and awe with us. So, dive in, discover, and let the magic of the ocean guide you to a lifelong love for the magnificent creatures that call it home. Happy World Oceans Day!

Head over to byjuslearning.com to learn more about our Active Learning approach to Math, Language, and Reading for children between Pre-K and Grade 3.  

Sources:

1. Mapping an ocean of life forms on the move. (2009, August 2). Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes .com/ archives /la -xpm -2009- aug- 02-na -fish2- story. html