Animals
What is the largest species of shark?
Whale Shark
This species of shark can grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) in length.
How much of the Earth does the ocean cover?
71 percent
They also contain about 97% of all water on Earth!
It forms from eroded rocks, like quartz, and the skeletal remains of marine life, such as coral reefs and shells.
Its color reveals its origins, with quartz giving tan sand its tint and black sands indicating volcanic activity.
What is the most abundant plant in the ocean?
Phytoplankton
They are microscopic, one-celled organisms that drift with the currents.
How much faster does sound travel in water than it does in air?
About 4.3 times faster
How do jellyfish move through the water?
Jet propulsion
It’s is similar to the way your diaphragm works when you breathe, relaxing and contracting to propel the organism through the ocean.
Which of the five major oceans is the shallowest?
The Arctic Ocean
Its average depth is 3,953 feet (1,204 m), making it the shallowest of the world's major oceanic divisions.
What is the average size of a grain of sand?
0.06 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter
The size and composition of sand grains can vary significantly depending on the location
What percentage of the Earth's oxygen is produced by ocean life?
70%
This is primarily produced by phytoplankton and algae.
How heavy are giant clams?
500+ pounds
The largest ever recorded weighed 750 pounds!
With which fish species do anemones have a symbiotic relationship?
Clownfish
The anemonies provide safe housing for the clownfish, while they clean the anemone of debris.
Which ocean is most explored?
The Pacific Ocean
This is considered the most explored, primarily due to its vastness, numerous islands, and the long history of exploration and habitation in the region, making it a focal point for scientific research and expeditions.
What is the most common type of sand in the ocean?
Quartz sand?
This is derived from eroded rocks on land and is very resistant to weathering. Other common types include carbonate sand from shell fragments in tropical areas and volcanic sand from nearby volcanic activity.
What are the only true flowering plants in the ocean that are completely submerged?
Seagrasses
They are vital for manatees and sea turtles.
What is the depth of the deepest recorded part of the ocean?
35,876 feet below sea level.
This is from the Challenger Deep, located at the southern end of the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. At this depth, Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak, would still be covered by over a mile of water if placed at its bottom.
How many brains does an octopus have?
Nine
They have a central brain to control their nervous system, and a smaller brain within each arm.
What is the pH of the ocean?
About 8.1
This is slightly basic, and the ocean pH is only getting lower (more acidic) due to increased CO2
What popular venue is the latin word for sand?
Arena
Because of its excellent absorption properties, sand was used to cover the ground during gladiatorial battles in amphitheaters throughout the Roman Empire. Over time, the physical space where the battles took place became synonymous with the word itself.
How many known marine species are there?
242,000
However, this number is constantly growing with new species being discovered, and scientists estimate the total number of species could be as high as one million or more, with millions more potentially awaiting discovery. Up to about 90% of marine life is still unknown, with many smaller organisms like microscopic plankton and deep-sea life yet to be cataloged.
Why does the ocean appear blue?
The ocean appears blue because water absorbs the red portion of the light spectrum, leaving the blue light to be scattered back to our eyes.
Which species of sea turtle is known for its long migrations?
The leatherback turtle.
These turtles can travel over 10,000 miles (16,000 km) each year.
On average, what percentage of the ocean's weight is salt?
3.5%
For every 1,000 grams of seawater, approximately 35 grams are dissolved salts. This concentration, known as salinity, is usually expressed as "parts per thousand" (ppt or ‰)
What organism gives sand a pink hue?
Foraminifera
These are tiny, amoeba-like, red-shelled organisms
Which animal is known for being able to photosynthesize due to the way its body stores chloroplasts from algae?
The leaf sheep
*look it up! It's a cute little guy :)
What percent of Earth's life is aquatic.
94%