Fun Facts about Sharks!

By Emily White We are all familiar with sharks, but every shark species has unique traits that make them even cooler! Take a look at some interesting shark facts below.…

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Plumed Worms

Plumed worms (Diopatra cuprea), also known as decorator worms or ornate worms, are a common inhabitant of coastal areas. They are a species of segmented worm, a type of polychaete…

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Fish Otoliths

By Sam Lucas Have you ever wondered if fish have ears or if they can hear? Fish do not have ears that we can see, but they do have “earstones”…

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Calico Scallops

By Kealy McNeal One of the most common shells found on the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva, the calico scallop, is also one of the most beautiful. It washes ashore…

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Let’s Take a Bite into Fish Dentition!

By Sam Lucas Fish teeth are adapted to meet their specific dietary needs. Fish can be carnivorous, omnivorous or herbivorous and their teeth reflect their diet. Depending on the species,…

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What is Baleen?

The order Cetacea houses two distinct groups: toothed whales and baleen whales. Toothed whales make up the majority of cetaceans – there are 67 species of toothed whales and just…

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Homology and Analogy – A Lesson in Biology

Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences within the structures of organisms. Physical features may be considered homologous or analogous, but what does this mean? Homologous structures are…

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Marine Reptiles

Reptiles are a class of vertebrates that include snakes, turtles, crocodilians, and lizards. Most reptiles have a key set of characteristics that separate them from other vertebrates. Typically, reptiles are…

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