Historical illustrations give us a glimpse into the scientific research of the past—and they can be very cool to look at!
We can view thousands of historical illustrations of marine life thanks to the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL). The BHL is the largest open-access digital library for biodiversity archives. They work with libraries around the world to offer millions of books dating back to the 15th century for free. The library is not only an incredible source of data for scientists—it brings scientific art into the homes of people around the world.
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Previously, we dug through the BHL archives to bring you some of our favorite ocean, shark, shell, fish and cephalopod illustrations from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Now, we’re bringing you our favorite cool and unusual illustrations of whales from the BHL!
Moon jellies have a special place in my heart. Once on a family vacation, we wrapped up a hike at Acadia National Park to find hundreds of moon jellies floating near the shore. It was a magical sight. It felt as if we had crossed over into some alien dimension, the rocky coastline transformed into a sea filled with these other-worldly creatures.
What do moon jellyfish look like?
Moon jellyfish get their name from their translucent bell-shape that looks a bit like a full moon. They are best identified by four purple glowing circles on the top that loop around in a clover-like formation. They have short wispy tentacles that hang below and tend to float just below the surface of the water.
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Can they sting me?
Moon jellyfish can sting with their tentacles. Don’t let this scare you away from these beautiful creatures! Their sting has little effect on humans beyond slight discomfort and a rash that will last only a few hours. But if you happen to be a plankton or mollusk that has learned to read and found access to the internet, well, I have bad news: That jellyfish sting is going to immobilize you to become the jellyfish’s next meal. Learn more about how jellyfish sting.
Moon jellyfish are considered a delectable snack by all sorts of turtles, birds and fish. Their clear gelatinous structure might not look nutritious, but moon jellyfish contain some fatty acids crucial to growth and reproduction. Plus, they are pretty slow, making it easy for their predators to have a lazy afternoon lunch.
Moon jellyfish in SPACE?
Yes, living up to their lunar namesake, moon jellies took a trip to space! In 1991 NASA launched over 2,478 jellyfish polyps (a.k.a. jellyfish babies) on a trip that was out of this world. They wanted to see how being raised in a low gravity situation would change jellyfish behavior once they were back on Earth. This would provide insights on how human space babies might be affected since both jellyfish and humans need gravity to orientate themselves. There are calcium sulfate crystals in a moon jellyfish’s bell that move with gravity, telling the jellyfish whether it is moving up or down. We humans also have calcium crystals in our inner ears that help us understand gravity’s pull. Turns out the space jelly babies (which should be the name of the next Muppet movie) did turn out to have issues navigating on Earth after being raised in a place without gravity.
As Elton John told us in “Rocket Man,” space “ain’t the kind of place to raise your kids.”
What is the secret to living a long life? Often centenarians will share their secrets, including eating oatmeal each day, staying single, exercising or having a positive outlook on life. Whether or not you believe those theories, one thing is for certain: Humans have some serious catching up to do compared with other animal lifespans. The oldest living human lived to be only 122 years old (cue the Greenland shark laughing!).
But how do these long-living animals have a lifespan that is many centuries old? Scientists think it has to do with the animals’ metabolism, with size and habitat as contributing factors. Bigger animals tend to have a slower metabolism. And animals that live in frigid, cold habitats also tend to have a slower metabolism. The frigid waters of the Arctic make it possible for Greenland sharks to survive for centuries. Metabolic rate is thought to be inversely proportional to maximum lifespan, which means that species that live fast will die young while those that have a slower metabolic rate live slower and longer.
Fascinating!!
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Without further delay, meet these seven ocean animals that have had more birthdays than almost every other creature on Earth.
Living in the cold Atlantic waters of Greenland, Iceland and the Arctic, Greenland sharks are often described as dinosaurs on Earth. Greenland sharks recently broke a record: Scientists discovered a 400-year-old female Greenland shark that set a new record for the oldest living vertebrate.
Ocean quahogs are among the longest-living marine organisms in the world. The ocean quahog is a species of edible clam, a marine bivalve mollusk. Ocean quahogs live in the Atlantic and can live more than 400 years old. At 507 years of age, Ming the clam broke the Guinness World Record as the oldest animal in the world. Ming the clam was dredged off the coast of Iceland in 2006. Ming was born in 1499 and died in 2006—that age was calculated by counting annual growth lines in the shell.
The estimated lifespan of a black coral colony is 70 years. However, in March 2009 a deep-water species of black coral was discovered, and scientists estimate it was around 4,265 years old. Coral polyps are invertebrates belonging to a group of animals called Cnidaria. Other animals in this group include jellyfish and sea anemones. Coral reefs are made up of tiny organisms called polyps. The result is a colony of polyps that actually act as one organism.
The immortal jellyfish is a species of jellyfish no bigger than a half centimeter that lives in seas across the world. Like other cnidarians, it has two forms: medusa (think classic jellyfish with bell-shaped body and multiple tentacles) and hydroid or polyp (the baby form, growing in a colony with other polyps on the ocean floor). Its unique ability to revert to this younger polyp form after reaching its fully grown state, thereby starting its life cycle anew, is what earns this jellyfish the title “immortal.”
Bowhead whales can live more than 200 years–making them one of the longest-living mammals on Earth. Bowhead whales live in the chilly Arctic and subarctic waters year-round. The bowhead is the fifth largest whale in the ocean, reaching up to 60 feet in length. Bowhead whales are among the heaviest animals on Earth with their weight between 75-100 tons.
The rougheye rockfish are among the longest-living fish and have a maximum lifespan of at least 205 years, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Their habitat is in coastal waters from California to Japan. Rougheye rockfish typically live at depths between 500 and 1,500 feet. They are found near the seafloor around caves and crevices. Rockfish are slow-growing, late-maturing and long-lived. Unfortunately, this also makes them highly vulnerable to overfishing. Recovering from fishing pressure is another thing rockfish do slowly.
Glass sponges in the class Hexactinellida are animals commonly found in the deep ocean. Sponges are firmly attached to the sea floor (with a few exceptions) for their entire adult lives. They survive by pumping water through their porous bodies to extract very small food particles and dissolved substances. Glass sponges grow in many shapes and sizes in the deep ocean. Glass sponge reefs were thought to have become extinct about 40 million years ago—they left fossil cliffs that can be found across Europe. In 1987, however, scientists discovered 9,000-year-old living glass sponge reefs in Canada—the only current reefs of their kind (that we know of).
An Ocean of Birthdays on the Horizon
As silly as this may sound, I genuinely wish I had the ability to interview one of these long-living creatures. What was it like in the ocean 500 years ago? How does it feel to be alive for that long? It truly is mind-boggling.
It’s certainly mind-bending to try to wrap your head around all of the historic moments these ocean animals have lived through. Ming the clam was alive during the Ming Dynastic (which ruled China from 1368 to 1644).
And scientists say that there are thousands more species of sponge and coral which have yet to be discovered!
The ocean and all its inhabitants are truly spectacular. It’s up to all of us to help protect them so they can celebrate hundreds or thousands more birthdays! Please make a donation to Ocean Conservancy to celebrate these creatures—give today and make a difference for the future of our ocean!
An interesting phenomenon has been unfolding in California …
Last week, San Diego beachgoers were startled by the appearance of a creature that looked most unusual washing up on it shores – the body of a Pacific footballfish, or Himantolophus sagamius, was gently sitting on the sand.
This event is notable for several reasons, particularly because this was the third time in 2021 that this type of fish made landfall. Normally, this fascinating being lives in deep waters of up to 3,000 feet, and sightings are so rare that only 31 specimens have been found since it was first discovered—more than a century ago!
The initial sighting took place in May 2021 and received moderate local media coverage. This was followed by a second incident on November 13 and then a third on December 10. The increase in occurrences quickly garnered media attention in major outlets, thrusting a critter that normally dwells in complete darkness into the national spotlight.
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According to the California Academy of Sciences, the Pacific footballfish is most known for its distinctive bioluminescent feature. Like other anglerfish, the first spine of its dorsal fin extends away from the body and ends in a soft, glowing bulb called an esca. This modified fin, called the illicium, can be used to lure prey within the depths of the dark waters. Anglerfish were famously featured in a deep-sea showdown with Martin and Dory in Finding Nemo.
The “electric current” that powers the glow of an anglerfish’s esca comes from photobacteria, which means bacteria that emit light. They find their way into the esca through small pores; once inside, they can grow and multiply due to the protection provided by the host.
There’s a lot to appreciate about this unique organism beyond the unmistakable bulb, including its striking color, spiked body and, of course, those sharp teeth! The deep sea is a harsh environment, meaning prey can be few and far between. That means anglerfish prey consists of whatever it can get into its large mouth, including other fish, crustaceans and squid.
Ocean Conservancy’s own chief scientist, George Leonard, (a California resident himself) is cautiously thrilled with the recent sightings. “At this time, there is no evidence that this is a trend, and the Pacific footballfish is experiencing a mass casualty event. Rather, this is simply an opportunity to get an up-close glimpse of a rare and elusive species. Increased attention and interest on any type of ocean wildlife can potentially be beneficial for conservation – if utilized correctly.”
It seems that the Pacific footballfish is finding itself in the limelight time and time again!
In a recent feature in the Los Angeles Times, Bill Ludt agreed, stating that “It’s the talk of the town among us California ichthyologists.” Ludt is assistant curator of ichthyology at the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum.
So what does all this mean for the Pacific footballfish? Even though no one can pinpoint what exactly is causing these incidents, these beach appearances are not yet cause for worry at this time. Instead, it’s a profound reminder of how connected humans on land are to even the deepest of dwellers. You can be assured that this isn’t the last we will hear from this entrancing ocean inhabitant.
President Biden started his term with strong words and swift action on the climate crisis and offshore oil and gas activities. Just a week after taking office, he issued an executive order that recognized the climate crisis as a threat to “our ability to live on planet Earth” and called for “bold, progressive action” to combat that crisis. And he backed up his words with action by directing the Department of the Interior to pause all new oil and gas leasing in federal waters (and on federal lands onshore, too).
Since that time, though, the Biden administration’s actions on the climate crisis and offshore drilling have not consistently lived up to the rhetoric. This past November offered up some particularly dizzying contrasts.
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President Biden started the month with an address at COP26, the global United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
In his speech, the president called this a “decisive decade” and called on every nation to do its part “with determination and ambition.”
But just a couple of weeks later, President Biden’s Department of the Interior held a record-breaking offshore oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico. According to an assessment by the Center for American Progress, the Gulf of Mexico lease sale could eventually result in the emission of more than 700 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. The sale—reported to be the largest in U.S. history—came about after a federal judge in Louisiana blocked President Biden’s leasing pause. Instead of pursuing legal options to stop the lease sale, the Biden administration simply went ahead with it.
Later in November, the Department of the Interior released its Report on the Federal Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The report, which was originally promised in early summer, proposes commonsense changes to federal policies that govern offshore oil and gas operations. These changes include raising royalty rates to ensure taxpayers see a fair return from industry and considering alternatives to “area-wide leasing,” a policy that makes vast areas of the ocean available for development. These are positive recommendations, and we have long advocated just such reforms.
But (you knew there was a “but” coming, right?), the Department of the Interior’s report hardly mentions climate change at all. Instead of seizing the opportunity to take the “bold, progressive action” that President Biden called for at the beginning of his term, the report largely ignores the role that offshore drilling plays in contributing to climate change. The report also includes statements about making federal oil and gas leasing processes more “inclusive and just,” but fails to explain how it intends to bring that about.
So: what approach will the Biden administration take to offshore oil and gas in the future?
One part of the answer could come in the form of President Biden’s signature on the “Build Back Better Act” that has been haltingly making its way through Congress. The House version of that bill permanently prohibits new offshore oil and gas leasing off the Atlantic, Pacific and eastern Gulf of Mexico coastlines. Right now, the future of the Build Back Better Act is not certain. It still needs to pass the Senate, then go back to the House to accept the final text before it even makes it to the President’s desk. So, we’ll have to wait to see whether the offshore oil and gas leasing bans become law.
Another part of the answer should come in the form of a new offshore oil and gas leasing program. These programs establish a five-year schedule for future offshore oil and gas leases. If a program schedules an offshore lease sale for a certain area of the ocean, the government can consider whether to actually hold that lease sale. If the program does not include a proposed lease sale for a given area of the ocean, no leasing can occur in that area unless and until the program is revised. The existing offshore oil and gas leasing program expires in 2022, so the Department of the Interior will likely begin to prepare a new program for the years 2022 to 2027. In doing so, it should give all of us a better idea of what the Biden administration has planned.
In our view, the answer is clear:
The climate crisis demands a rapid and just transition to a clean energy future. The federal government should offer no additional offshore oil and gas leases. New activities on already-sold leases should be limited and—over the long term—there should be a managed phase-out of all offshore oil and gas operations as we transition to clean energy sources. That’s the future President Biden promised in his first days in office, and that’s the future we must demand in the coming years.
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Tillery, a Shreveport, Louisiana native, has been described as a renaissance man and counts his love for the ocean among his many interests outside of the game. A frequent visitor to Hawaii, where he trains in the offseason, he also relies on the scenery there to make major life decisions. As a junior in college, he was deciding whether or not to return to Notre Dame for his senior year or enter the NFL draft. He contemplated that decision on a beach in Hawaii. “There’s no better place to make a decision than on a beach in Hawaii,” Tillery said.
His love for Hawaii led him to design one cleat with an outline of the islands, palm trees and waves. That scene played a pivotal role where he made the choice to go back to Notre Dame for his senior year where he earned All-American honors and a degree in Economics. His path towards that major started when he was a senior in high school and interned in the accounting department in the Shreveport mayor’s office. When he’s through tallying tackle and sack numbers, he hopes to pursue a career in finance.
Because Tillery is a triathlete and an avid traveler, it’s appropriate that his other cleat features the Hammerhead Shark, which travels far and wide, and logs some of the most miles covered by any species of shark. The Hammerhead moves with speeds as fast as 25 miles per hour. Tillery started competing in triathlons in high school in Louisiana. He’s also traveled widely, completing study-abroad programs in South Africa and Ireland, and spending a spring break in Germany, an Easter in Canada and a two-week program in Japan.
This week’s travels take Tillery and the second-place Chargers to Cincinnati where they will face the Bengals. Tillery is hoping to keep the Chargers in the thick of the AFC Playoff race and notch a win against his former Notre Dame teammate and fellow Team Ocean member, Khalid Kareem, a defensive lineman for the Bengals. His excitement to wear these cleats in support of the ocean on Sunday can be best summed up by his words:
“The Ocean, the waves, the wildlife bring me great peace and joy. It’s essential that we all do our part to preserve it whether in Los Angeles, Louisiana or South Bend. That’s why I’m proud to support Ocean Conservancy this year as a part of Team Ocean.”
Game Broadcast Info: Los Angeles Chargers at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday 12/5 at 1 p.m., CBS
This blog was written by Natalie MacDonald, 2021’s Joanna Toole Intern. From Reading, Massachusetts, Natalie recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a B.S. in Marine Affairs and a minor in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.
My name is Natalie MacDonald, and I am so honored and excited to be this year’s Joanna Toole Intern. Joanna Toole helped found the Global Ghost Gear Initiative® (GGGI), a cross-stakeholder alliance that works to create solutions for abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). Joanna’s life was tragically lost in 2019 in the Ethiopian Airlines crash, and this internship was created to carry on her legacy.
In college, I studied marine affairs: the intersection of research and environmental sociology. I was often told, “That’s going to be a growing field in the next few years!” I completely agree! The discipline of marine affairs is becoming increasingly more critical in these unprecedented times of marine pollution and climate change. Quite honestly,
I’m proud to be part of a growing community that is dedicated to protecting marine life and, in turn, the planet and its people.
I have always been interested in marine ecosystems and decided to act on that interest in 2016 when I began volunteering in the Visitor Education department at the New England Aquarium. I volunteered seasonally for a few years, gaining experience and knowledge on climate change, sustainability and local ecosystems. My time there rerouted me to studying marine affairs in college because I wanted to work on policy and conservation.
My focus shifted toward marine mammal conservation in the past few years, beginning when I was an intern on the New England Aquarium whale-watch tours with Boston Harbor Cruises. I had always been most interested in sharks, but that summer gave me a new interest in marine mammals. I was able to see different species of whales, dolphins and seals every time we headed out to Stellwagen Bank. I even kept a record of the named humpback whales I saw that summer. That list included a whopping 43 animals—with four calves! Between my time as a volunteer and an intern, I got the chance to educate everyone who walked through our doors or onto one of our boats.
It was a great feeling to know each visitor or passenger walked away with a bit more knowledge of marine conservation and what they could do at home to make a difference.
The first half of my Joanna Toole Internship took place at the Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) in Provincetown, Massachusetts, assisting with lab work and data analysis. This work holds a special place in my heart, as the data I collected on the whale-watch tours of marine mammal sightings and debris was used by the CCS to study the Gulf of Maine humpback population. While I was fortunate enough never to see abandoned fishing gear near Stellwagen Bank, there was still plenty of debris to document on each trip, and I knew that larger and more dangerous debris was still out there. I became familiar with the purpose of the CCS disentanglement team, their hotline and the important work they are doing. We would often see a whale with some sort of scarring from a previous entanglement.
The second half of my internship is now with Ocean Conservancy’s Global Ghost Gear Initiative® (GGGI)focusing on marine policy and communication work. One thing about the Global Ghost Gear Initiative that excites me is just that—it’s global! I am still in awe of how many different governments and organizations have come together for such an important common goal. A few years ago, I did a research project on the Pacific Small Island Developing States that rely on fishing as a primary source of income. The GGGI works all over the world to help safeguard these livelihoods while also protecting marine life.
I saw the Joanna Toole internship as the perfect opportunity to begin work in the marine affairs field after graduation.
It’s the intersection of marine mammal conservation, environmental justice and sustainable seafood that I am so drawn to.
I would like to thank those who made this internship possible, including the Center for Coastal Studies, Ocean Conservancy, Joanna Toole Foundation and Ocean Care, as well as everyone at the University of Rhode Island and New England Aquarium who got me to this point. I am so honored to have this opportunity to carry on Joanna Toole’s legacy, and I look forward to this new journey.
