• Home
  • About
  • Marine mammals
    • Dolphins
    • Porpoises
    • Seals, sea lions
    • Whales
  • Phenomena
    • Climate change
    • Invasive species
    • Pollution
    • Oceanography
  • Inspiration
    • Animal encounters
    • Earth musings
    • Easy Reader columns
    • Ocean heroes
    • Photography
    • Writing & Poetry
  • Happenings
    • Consumer Alerts
    • Ocean events
  • Resources
  • Contact

Ocean Wild Things

Introducing the pacific sardine

July 15, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

Well, somebody has to be the bait and quite often it’s the Pacific sardine or Sardinops sagax. Sardines average on the smaller side, but can grow up to more than 16 inches. Size is important because it’s an indicator of a sardine’s sexual maturity. Here’s a telling quote from Dr. Milton Love’s book Probably More… [read more]

Filed Under: Fishes Tagged With: schooling fish, sex

The bald eagle: a salute to our national emblem

July 9, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

In 1782, six years after the Declaration of Independence was signed and a new nation was born, Congress chose the bald eagle to be the national emblem of the United States. Today, the eagle is printed, painted and carved on everything having anything to do with our government. But how often do Americans even notice… [read more]

Filed Under: Birds, Easy Reader columns Tagged With: bird, fishing, mating, nest, sex

California spiny lobster carting her eggs

June 25, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft Leave a Comment

Now that I have graphic photos of a female California spiny lobster carrying her eggs, I thought it was the perfect time to do a quick recap of her fascinating role in the cycle of life. Okay, so the photos aren’t exactly graphic, but you get to see her glorious fluorescent orange eggs. That orange… [read more]

Filed Under: Lobster, shrimp, crab(s) Tagged With: crustacean, molting, sex

Elephant seals: ocean aliens have landed!

April 9, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

Picture an elephant crossed with a seal and add in a little “District 9” alien. The result: the male northern elephant seal or Mirounga angustirostris. The elephant part of the description helps convey the sheer mass of the male elephant seal, plus the shape of its nose. According to the book Elephant Seals by Carole… [read more]

Filed Under: Easy Reader columns, Marine mammals, Seals, sea lions Tagged With: courtship, elephant seal, pinniped, seal, sex, sexual dimorphism

Gray Whales: on the road again

January 31, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

Imagine doing a major road trip for 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Now imagine making that trip 11 months pregnant. Now imagine making the return trip of 5,000 to 7,000 miles just three months after arriving and giving birth. Now imagine doing these two major road trips every year of your life until the day you… [read more]

Filed Under: Easy Reader columns, Marine mammals, Whales Tagged With: cetacean, migration, sex, sperm competition, whale

Sanderlings: always on the run

January 21, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft Leave a Comment

The sanderlings or Calidris alba are the cute little birds obsessively running in and out with the tide. Sanderlings are pretty small, averaging 7.5 inches in length and weighing about 2.5 ounces. Females and males look alike with soft black eyes, dark black legs and feet, light gray feathers on the back and head, bright… [read more]

Filed Under: Birds, Easy Reader columns Tagged With: bird, courtship, sex

Baculum: the penis bone

January 10, 2010 by Carolyn Kraft 2 Comments

Walrus baculum, 22 inches long The “B” section of the Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals launches with an article by Edward Miller on the baculum. The baculum is a bone located in the penis of several species. For marine mammals this includes polar bears, sea otters, seals, sea lions and walruses. Bacula (plural of baculum) come… [read more]

Filed Under: Marine mammals, Seals, sea lions Tagged With: anatomy, fissiped, pinniped, polar bear, sea lion, seal, sex, walrus

Snowy Plover: dirty square dancing in the sand

December 17, 2009 by Carolyn Kraft 1 Comment

To live on the beach, bask in the sun, scrape a nest in the sand, run near the waves and make love along the dunes is to live the life of a snowy plover. Western snowy plovers or Charadrius alexandrines nivosus are cute little birds that inhabit prime waterfront property along California’s coast and inland… [read more]

Filed Under: Birds, Easy Reader columns Tagged With: bird, courtship, sex, threatened

California Brown Pelican: resident artist, yoga bird and exhibitionist

October 19, 2009 by Carolyn Kraft 2 Comments

Taking a walk along the Redondo pier is a great way to enjoy the fresh ocean air mixed with fishy aromas while checking out the natural art gallery just across the way or painted rocks as we like to joke during whale watch season. And in this case the featured artist is the California Brown… [read more]

Filed Under: Birds, Easy Reader columns Tagged With: bird, nest, sex

Sheephead fish: sex change without surgery

October 9, 2009 by Carolyn Kraft 5 Comments

It’s Friday night at the local saloon and not one person of the opposite sex in sight. Dating can be such a drag. But instead of moping, why not head to the restroom and perform a quick sex change and become the hottest commodity at the bar? Welcome to the potential benefits of being a… [read more]

Filed Under: Easy Reader columns, Fishes Tagged With: hormones, sex, sex change

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Join the Conversation

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Subscribe Via Email

Latest Tweets

  • RT @CabrilloAqua: Join us this Saturday for our monthly Walk Cabrillo! During the coastal park walk you'll visit the native garden, salt ma… 02:04:45 PM March 07, 2023 from Twitter Web App ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @wantokmoana: Halo oloketa! Introducing Sabrina Pania MSc students and an ACAIR scholarship recipient. Sabi is studying the Nutritional… 03:58:25 PM June 14, 2022 from Twitter Web App ReplyRetweetFavorite
  • RT @TXSeaGrant: Approximately 45 Kemp's ridley turtles were discovered hatching on Magnolia Beach. "This has never happened in modern times… 03:57:48 PM June 14, 2022 from Twitter Web App ReplyRetweetFavorite
@oceanwildthings

Archives

Ocean Wild Things | Copyright ©2025 | All Rights Reserved