The world’s largest aquarium is the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, which holds eight million gallons of water, with 6.3 million gallons in one exhibit alone! If this video is any indication, it may also be the prettiest. The song is “The Ballad of Winslow Homer” by The Dimes. Videography by Stillmotion. Link -via The Daily What

Animals that live underwater as so different they never fail to astound us. Marine invertebrates may flop like jelly when we see them on land, but in their own environment they can be as rigid as they need to be, thanks to the fluid skeletons they formed by compressing water within their organs. Read about how they work and see some gorgeous underwater pictures at Environmental Graffiti. Link -via the Presurfer
(Image credit: Flickr user Neil Barman)

If you look hard enough, even the most outlandish legends have a grain of truth somewhere. Reports from antiquity of sea monsters may be fantastic, but they describe what someone at least thought they saw at one time. Consider the sea monk, described in 1546 (left). It sure looks like someone drew it from their imagination. But then look at the sea creature called a Jenny Haniver (right). Read about this and other monsters that may now be explained scientifically. Link -via Gorilla Mask
See also: Baby Stingray
‘Purple Forest’ from MORPHOLOGIC on Vimeo.
In this video titled Purple Forest, you can see how the decorator crab makes its way in the world. By adding predictable detritus to its wardrobe, and after waiting for the currents to land an appropriate morsel of tasty goodness onto its shell, the unseen crab hooks his prey.
The unsuspecting isopod has no idea that it has landed upon an algae covered beast. Furthermore, it appears that the crab is not aware of the unexpected visitor until the isopod begins to explore its decorated exoskeleton. 50 seconds into the clip the isopod meets its fate with a few swift snatches of the crab’s claws. Without missing a beat, the crab continues scavenging amongst the rocks and algae. And life on the reef goes on…
Decorator Crab {Dive Gallery}

Link, photo by Chris Newbert

