The Deep Blue
Seagulls
Seagulls encompass a great deal of diversity with at least twenty-eight types in North America alone.
The intelligence of these birds is clearly demonstrated by the range of feeding behaviors. These birds have been known to stamp their feet in groups to imitate rainfall and trick worms to come to the surface to be eaten. Seagulls also engage in dropping hard-shelled mollusks onto rocks to break them open.
In addition to being very clever, these birds have a highly developed repertoire for communication of body movements and vocalizations. These behaviors can be viewed on a leisurely day spent near the beach, boat dock or inlet. Seagulls can drink both salt and freshwater, made possible by a special gland above their eyes and are very attentive parents. Male and female birds pair for life and share in incubating, protecting and feeding their chicks.
Lionfish
The lionfish is known for its beauty and showy pectoral fins. The potency of their venom in their fins makes them excellent predators though they are rarely fatal to healthy humans.
These fish are skilled hunters, often spreading their pectoral fins and herding small fish into tight areas and against rocks to catch and eat them. The introduction of the red lionfish off the coast of the United States and the Caribbean Sea was likely due to Hurricane Andrew, which destroyed an aquarium in South Florida releasing six fish into Biscayne Bay in 1992.
Giant Pacific Octopus
The giant Pacific octopus lives longer and grows bigger than any other octopus. These invertebrates have huge, bulbous heads and are reddish-brown in color. Like other members of this group, they have the ability to change the texture and color of their skin to match the patterns of rocks, plants and corals.
Highly intelligent, these animals are able to solve mazes and open jars. They hunt at night and have even been known to attack sharks. Their range is in the Pacific Ocean from California to Alaska and west to Japan.
