We came across this group of approximately 15 manatees rolling, splashing and climbing over one another close to the Florida shoreline.

At first, it honestly looked like they were fighting or wrestling. After looking into the behavior, we learned that this was a manatee mating her - generally one female being pursued by multiple males.

We filmed from shore and did not enter the water, approach them or interfere. It was one of the most intense and unexpected Florida wildlife encounters we have witnessed.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DasaqgARmJd/?igsh=MWMyc3p6dW5kNHJrcg==

Can anyone id?

Is anyone able to ID this? Found on Daytona Beach. It's solid, but squishy. has an opening at one end (which was stuck to the stick when I found it) and the other end is kinda gelatinous and ooozes a sticky, tendril like substance. It seems to slightly change shape..

I'm fascinated by every form of life; it's truly mesmerizing and wonderful to me

Researchers from the SETI Institute and UC Davis successfully held a 20-minute "conversation" with a humpback whale named Twain. Using AI to analyze bioacoustic signals, the team played back "contact calls" and received responses that perfectly matched the timing and intervals of their signals.

Hello! I’m conducting a research project on underwater experiences and inviting scuba divers and freedivers to participate in a short, anonymous survey about their experience in the last three months.

If you dive and are interested in participating, you can access the survey here: https://forms.gle/MAPzq2hPGtdt56W98

Thank you, and please feel free to share with others who dive!

Hi! So, I have this homework at school where we need to make a video about Mammals, and I chose the mammals that live in the water. I'm in 8th grade, if it helps

I don't know where to look for materials thought. Any recommendations on sites where to do research?

Don’t seem to be bottle nose- Gulf coast Florida panhandle

Sign the petition to protect Rice’s whales!

https://www.change.org/p/designate-noaa-critical-habitat-for-rice-s-whales

Save Rice’s Whales — America’s Only Native Whale Is On the Brink

The Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei) is one of the most endangered marine mammals on Earth and it lives only in U.S. waters, in the Gulf of Mexico.

1 .Fewer than 50 individuals remain.

1. No Critical Habitat has been designated.

2. Threats include: ship strikes, oil spills, ocean noise, and pollution.

Unless action is taken now, the U.S. could become the first country in history to drive a great whale species to extinction.

What We’re Asking:

We urge NOAA to immediately designate a Critical Habitat for the Rice’s whale under the Endangered Species Act.

This would:

-Set speed limits for ships in whale territory

-Restrict offshore oil drilling

-Reduce ocean noise from seismic activity

-Protect this species from further habitat loss

Why It Matters -Rice’s whales are:

-Found nowhere else on Earth

-A symbol of American environmental responsibility

-Key to protecting seafood safety, ocean health, and marine ecosystems

More information

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/voice4whale/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@voice4whale

Petition NOW-> https://chng.it/GQm8MfDVVK

I'm just looking for a charity to donate to that might help some whales. I'd be so grateful if someone could turn me on to a reputable one.

Thank you!

I've created another painting of moon jellyfish! 🪼💜

After seeing everyone's kind words on my last painting (Jellies I), I wanted to share my second jellyfish painting, Jellies II! :) (this is the print of it)

This one's a bit more abstract, in a slightly different style than the last one (which was really fun ngl). I'd love to know what you think! 🪼🪼

Hoping that this kind of post is allowed here, I thought this community might appreciate some original jellyfish art! 🪼🪼

This painting is 20"x20", and I've called it "Jellies I" (because I had so much fun painting it that I've now gone on to do three more 😆. I usually don't like to paint the same type of subject over and over again, but there's been something so enjoyable about translating the movement and colours of these fascinating creatures onto canvas.

(alsooo for some shameless self-promotion (LOL), I do have this painting up for sale, and have also recently started making some prints, which can be found on my website (www.teresart.ca) or on my etsy shop (www.teresatreen.etsy.com) :)

I'd love to hear what you think! 💜🪼

Hi all, I am starting a passion-based advocacy campaign to spread the word about the USA's endemic whale that is CRITICALLY endangered. The Rice's whale is a 40-foot long giant whale that almost exclusively lives in U.S. waters (in the Gulf of Mexico, on the side that is within American maritime borders.) It's honestly crazy that the U.S. has a whole whale species that they can call their own. It's a privilege that no other country has. Unfortunately, no other country has ever, in all of human history, made a giant whale go extinct. But the U.S. might be the first one. The Rice's whale is so endangered that there are only about 50 of them left, and yet there are nearly no laws designed to protect it at all. There have been efforts to help them and stop the increase in oil drilling and shipping activities in their habitat but the lack of protective legislation makes that impossible. These whales are at the brink of vanishing, are a crucial part of the multi-billion dollar Gulf ecosystem, and yet most people haven't even heard of them. That's why I wanted to make a change, and I've created a petition as a way of growing the awareness. It really is "awareness" that's needed, since no one can fight for a whale that they've never even heard of. Here is a link to my petition. It would mean so much to me if you took just a few seconds to sign it, and share it with people.

Found this along some rocky coastal area in Southern Maine. Not this exact spot but closer to shore. Really perplexed 🤔. Initial thoughts are a Skate or Ray?

A fun edit of Seaworlds dolphins… it was a lot of fun meeting them.

Sea horse, it is alive