Endangered Animals in the Ocean
Unfortunately, there are many endangered animals living in the ocean. Smithsonian claims that there are approximately 2,270 species that are endangered. The definition of endangered is “threatened with extinction.” Here are six endangered animals according to Maine Insight:
- Hawksbill Turtle
- Blue Whale
- Steller Sea Lion
- Hammerhead Shark
- Hector’s Dolphin
- Green Sea Turtle
The Hawksbill Turtle is found in mostly coral reefs of oceans, gulfs, and seas. Sadly, their population has been estimated to have declined by 80% over the last century. They have beautiful, colorful shells with intricate patterns. When their shells are sold, they are called “tortoiseshell.” Marine Insight says that “this family of the turtle is the living representatives of reptiles that have existed in our oceans for the past hundred million years and these turtles are vital for the existence of seagrass beds and coral reefs.” These animals are 30–35 inches long and weigh 90–150 pounds. They have narrow, pointed beaks and feed on sponges, sea anemones, and jellyfish.
The Blue Whale is the LARGEST living mammal on Earth, reaching 100 feet long and weighing in around 200,000–300,000 pounds. This makes it as long as 3 school busses! Blue Whales also have big hearts- about the size of a small car! The Marine Mammal Center says that they are “an overall blue-gray color, mottled with light gray.” They also say that “Blue whales are long and streamlined. Their dorsal fins are extremely small, and their pectoral flippers are long and thin.” It has been proven that blue whales swim in every ocean of the world. They may swim individually, in pairs, or in small groups. Female blue whales give birth to their babies, also known as calves, every two to three years. A blue whale calf newly born is around 23 feet long and can weigh from 5,000–6,000 pounds. Blue whales like to eat krill, which are shrimp-like euphausiids.
The Steller Sea Lion (or Northern Sea Lion) is the fourth largest of all seal species. These sea lions live in the cold costal waters of the North Pacific. Their population has declined by more than 60% due to several reasons such as natural threats and human threats. Males may grow up to 11 feet and weigh 2,500 pounds. Females may grow up to 9 feet and weigh 1,000 pounds. Their coloring is a light tan to reddish brown. They have blunt faces and boxy heads. These animals eat a variety of fishes. There are many threats to steller sea lions, some of which include boat/ship strikes, pollutants, habitat degradation, illegal hunting, offshore oil and gas exploration, and interactions with fisheries.
Hammerhead Sharks can be found in the tropical regions of oceans all over the world. They are given their name because their head is the shape of a hammer. They are around 13–20 feet long and can weigh from 500 to 1,000 pounds. They usually live 20–30 years and they travel around in schools. These animals are known as aggressive hunters and feed on smaller fish, squid crustaceans, and octopuses, although their favorite meal is string rays. Marine Insight claims that, “These migratory sharks are subjected to being victimized for its fin. Even the process itself is horrifying as the sharks are caught by fishermen, dragged on board and is cut off their fins while they are still breathing.The remaining carcass is thrown into the water and eventually, it bleeds to death.” They have wide set eyes, which gives them a better visual range than other sharks.
Hector’s Dolphins can be found off the coast of New Zealand. They are the smallest and rarest dolphins in the world. Marine insight says that their “features include black markings on the face, stocky bodies and creamy white throat and belly.” These dolphins can be found in groups of two to eight members. Most Hector’s Dolphins die because of fishing nets. These animals can weigh up to 110 pounds can reach up to 5 feet in length. A Hector’s Dolphin lifespan is at least 22 years, that is if they are not killed by bycatch. NOAA Fisheries claims that “Hector’s dolphins display a wide range of behaviors, including body contacts, bubble-blowing, leaping, lobtailing (slapping the water surface with the fluke), and spyhopping (holding the body vertically with head above the water surface). Generally, they are less active in terms of jumping compared to some other species (e.g., spinner and dusky dolphins).”
Green Sea Turtles are one of the largest sea turtles. They can be found in the tropical and subtropical seas. These beautiful animals get their names from the color of fat found underneath their carapace. Marine Insight explains their declining of population best: “Since these sea turtles have always been a popular food item, the hunt for turtles and their eggs is threatening their lives. The loss of sandy beaches, marine population and careless fishing methods also have added to the decline of their population.” They are 3 to 4 feet in length and weigh between 240 and 420 pounds.
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