So many of our beaches are simply stunning, but it’s crucial that you dispose of any rubbish or unwanted items responsibly, in order to reduce the impact of plastic pollution and unsightly bits of litter.

What is plastic pollution?

Plastic pollution is probably one of the world’s biggest issues right now, with the huge production of disposable plastic items happening faster that we can get rid of them. Half of all plastic ever manufactured has been made in the last 20 years alone, with production expected to double in the next 25 years or so.

While plastic plays an incredibly important role in our lives now, the use of single-use plastics in particular is detrimental to the environment. These discarded plastic items end up in our world’s oceans, with some plastics taking hundreds of years to break down. This can have a huge impact on marine life, from birds and turtles to fish and aquatic mammals like dolphins and whales. Plastic in the ocean can cause issues like entanglement and starvation.

What’s more, microplastics are becoming a problem too. These incredibly small pieces have been found everywhere in the world, from the top of Mount Everest to the deepest trenches of the ocean. Microplastics have been found in the likes of fish and crustaceans, and even us humans too.

What is a beach clean?

With that in mind, taking part in a beach clean can make a huge difference in reducing the amount of rubbish and plastic that ends up in our waters. A beach clean is a volunteering opportunity to clean up the coastline, keeping the beaches and oceans safe from harmful waste.

 There are organised beach cleans up and down the country, as well as the Great British Beach Clean taking place in September every year. You can take part in organised beach cleans by getting in touch with the likes of the Marine Conservation Society, National Trust or Surfers Against Sewage.

As well as organised cleans, you can also choose to set up your own. Everyone can take part in a beach clean, including children, so long as you are safe and wear the right clothing.

How to recycle at the beach

If you do visit your local beach and want to make sure you’re acting responsibly when it comes to looking after the area, here’s a few things you could consider:

• Look out for bins and save your rubbish until you can find one to dispose of it properly
• Take reusable bottles and bags, so that you can reduce single-use plastic across the beach
• Avoid food with wrappers, especially wrappers that might easily fly away in the coastal breeze, as it could end up in the ocean
• Don’t smoke on the beach, as cigarette butts are not biodegradable and could harm wildlife
• Make sure you take your inflatables home with you, even if they have popped and are no longer of use

The importance of taking care of your local beach

Making small changes and being more aware of the materials you’re using, as well as your habits, can make a huge difference to the flourishing wildlife and health of our oceans. By looking after your local beach and making the effort, you can contribute to the conservation of our world’s animals. This can include:

• Protecting marine animals, especially from being entangled in plastic or mistaking it for food
• Preserving natural environments, and making sure any wildlife along the beach and waters can live a natural life
• Removing toxins from the ocean, by ensuring less plastic and other rubbish ends up in the water

Simple ways to help the environment at home

When at home, there are a number of ways you can help the environment, even if they seem small. Recycling more effectively can make a big difference, and it’s as simple as separating out your rubbish and putting it in the right bins.

Reusable items can also help, as it can contribute to less production of new materials and resources, which are finite. This is the same as trying to reduce your energy and water usage.

Finally, you might want to try walking, cycling or using public transport where you can instead of the car. This can help to reduce the number of carbon emissions in the environment.

Find out more here!

Want to get involved in taking care of your local beach? Our downloadable Beach Clean Guide is here, giving you all the insights and tips you need when it comes to looking after your local coastline.

Learn more about Bristol Aquarium’s conservation efforts today, or book your tickets to come and see our wonderful aquatic animals for yourself!

From World Wildlife Day to Global Recycling Day, these are the national animal or national environmental days you should put in your calendar.

January

Energy Savers Week

Energy Savers Week usually occurs around the middle of January, and is designed to help you be a little more energy efficient. It comes from a partnership with Energy Saving Trust and Citizens Advice, delivering helpful advice to save energy while keeping warm.

This is such an important week to be more aware of how much energy you’re using and the impact it could be having on the environment. By making just a few little changes, you could really make a difference to your carbon footprint. What’s more, with energy costs rising, it’s never been handier to learn how to manage energy bills more efficiently!

February

World Wetlands Day

Every year on the 2^nd February, World Wetlands Day takes place. This is a day dedicated to the appreciation and understanding of wetland environments, which play a vital role in our ecosystems. Wetlands typically include marshes, swamps and floodplains that are essential for absorbing excess rainfall and generally providing a natural buffer against climate change.

Wetlands are also home to a multitude of wildlife, enhancing the importance of looking after our world’s wetlands and preserving this particular ecosystem. There are a number of things you can do to help the world’s flora and fauna, including planting new shrubs and tree, reducing your energy usage and recycle your rubbish.

March

Global Recycling Day

Global Recycling Day occurs every year on the 18^th March, encouraging us to be more proactive when it comes to recycling or even reusing our used materials. The day was first introduced in 2018 to ask people across the world to make a bigger effort to recycle.

Creating an environmentally stable and greener planet is at the forefront of many people’s minds, with climate change continuing to have a huge impact on the world’s wildlife and ecosystems. Being more aware of what and how you can recycle can be a positive step forward to achieving a more sustainable world.

Spring equinox

It’s the first day of spring every year on 20^th March, signalling a new beginning when it comes to longer days and new life, including plants, insects and other wildlife. It’s the perfect time to get out and explore your local area, and gain a newfound appreciation for nature.

When it comes to celebrating the spring equinox, there’s plenty you can do, such as taking part in some spring cleaning or recycling unwanted items. It’s also the perfect time to learn how you can help local wildlife.

April

Community garden week

At the beginning of the month, community garden week celebrates the community and school gardens across the country. Not only does this highlight the beauty of revitalising urban areas with greenery and flowers, but it also plays a role in making areas more environmentally-friendly too. Planting flowers and other such actions can be crucial for bees and birds, and doing this in an otherwise built-up area can be really important for sustaining local wildlife.

World Penguin Day  

Every year on 25^th April, it’s time to celebrate and learn more about penguins! These distinctive birds are incredibly adapted to aquatic life, and World Penguin Day marks the start of the Adélie penguins’ migration journey.

Many species of penguin have been identified as vulnerable or endangered by the IUCN, and as many penguins spend the majority of their lives out at sea, it’s important that we are aware of the threats to this animal including overfishing and plastic pollution.

Save the Frogs Day

28^th April is otherwise known as Save the Frogs Day.  Almost a third of amphibian species are threatened around the world, and this day of awareness is designed to encourage people to be more mindful of how we can protect and preserve the future of these incredible creatures. Here at Bristol Aquarium we have successfully bred our own endangered frogs in our own conservation efforts. Come and see our poison dart frogs at our Edge of the Rainforest exhibit.

May

World Turtle Day

Every year on the 23^rd May is World Turtle Day! It was first launched in 2000 and recognises some of the ways in which people can help to look after their habitats and preserve their resources. This yearly observance is important as it raises awareness on the disappearing habitats of both turtles and tortoises, as many species are under threat.

There’s a whole host of things you can do to help slow down climate change and reduce the impact on the turtles’ habitat. This can include reducing your plastic usage, as well as eating more local produce. You could also change the way you travel, by taking public transport more often, or walking and cycling.

June

Garden wildlife week

Typically occurring during the first week of June, garden wildlife week serves as an opportunity to celebrate these ecosystems and helping our gardens to flourish. One of the key themes during this week is biodiversity, with the purpose of the week to encourage people to get outdoors and help nature.

Why not try making your own bird feeder to offer a source of food for your local birds, or recycle rubbish from around the house to make a bug hotel?

World Environment Day

Sponsored by the United Nations, World Environment Day falls on 5^th June every year with a varying theme to help people focus on different elements of the environment. The aim of World Environment Day is to encourage action to protect ecosystems around the world. It’s been held annually since the 1970s, and typically urges people to beat plastic pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

World Ocean Day

Every year on 8^th June, World Ocean Day serves to raise awareness of the threats to our blue planet. The movement aims to persuade leader and legislators to accelerate the move towards renewable energy, phasing out single use plastics and making a bigger effort to protect and restore the ecosystems that occur in our world’s oceans.

It’s the perfect opportunity to do your bit for the world’s oceans, from conserving water to using less energy.

July

National Marine Week

Sponsored by The Wildlife Trusts, National Marine Week aims to help people learn more about our seas and just how much we owe to our world’s marine environments. Not only do marine areas have a huge impact on the environment as a whole, but they are key to tackling climate change too.

National Marine Week occurs towards the end of July, and encourages people to get involved in activities like beach cleans, conserve water and use less plastic.

September

Great British Beach Clean

Occurring towards the end of September,  the Great British Beach Clean is designed to help people get actively involved in a beach clean in their local area. Not only does this help to look after local wildlife, but it can help to campaign for change too. You can either get involved in an event near you, or organise your own beach clean!

The data collected from beach clean events can be vital in helping organisations drive positive change up and down the country.   

October

World Habitat Day

Another one organised by the United Nations, World Habitat Day falls on the first Monday of October every year. This gives people the opportunity to reflect on the state of the world’s habitats. While in some cases the event has focused on human habitats, there’s no reason why we can’t also pay attention to the habitats of animals, most of which are at risk thanks to climate change and pollution.

Reptile Awareness Day

When it comes to animal welfare, reptiles are usually the forgotten species. On 21^st October every year, it’s reptile awareness day to raise awareness of the incredible families of reptiles. This is a perfect opportunity to learn more about reptiles and what you can do to help protect the vast number of species, whether it’s being more aware of the threats to their habitats or something else!

Recycle Week

Recycle Week happens towards the end of October, with each year focusing on a specific angle when it comes to better recycling habits. The week has been going for over 20 years, inspiring people to take even more action when it comes to recycling and reusing household items. Some of the UK’s biggest brands regularly get involved, including supermarkets.

November

Oceans of Plastic Day

Oceans of Plastic Day is an annual event every November, shining the spotlight on the harmful impact of plastic pollution of marine life and ecosystems. It’s a time to reflect and make sure that you’re doing your part to reduce plastic use and waste, from using reusable materials. It’s a vital awareness day to help preserve the future of our world’s oceans and the animals that call it home.

December

International Volunteer Day

Every year on 5^th December the United Nations promotes International Volunteer Day, highlighting just how much better the world would be if more people volunteered to help solve the planet’s problems, whether that be economic or environmental. It’s a great opportunity to reflect and understand more about how you could volunteer in your local area, from helping wildlife to picking up litter.

When it comes to conservation, the team here at Bristol Aquarium are passionate about helping the future of the world’s waters and the animals that depend on them. To find out more about how we get involved in conservation and how you can help us, book your tickets and visit us!

Not only are we giving you simple and easy step-by-step instructions to follow, but we’re also here to show you that crafts don’t need to cost anything or waste materials. In fact, each of our six crafts can be done using things found around the house. So, without further ado, let’s get cracking!

Fun easter crafts for kids

1.     Create a DIY easter bunny headband

Are you all ears for this craft idea? Great – here’s what you’ll need and how to hop through the steps and create a DIY Easter bunny headband of your own!

What you’ll need:

• Recyclable paper (the more colourful, the better!)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Coloured markers/paints (optional)

Step 1: Take a ruler and mark a white piece of A4 paper 5cm from the top and bottom edges. Cut lengthways to create a long paper strip. Then, place this strip around your head and mark where it’ll need to be glued later to make sure the headband fits perfectly. Tip: Have a friend or parent help with this bit!

Step 2: Next, you’ll be creating the bunny ears.For each bunny ear, you’ll need to draw two lines that curve towards each other to form a point at the top and leave a straight edge at the bottom. Draw two large versions of this on the leftover white paper and two smaller ears on a sheet of pink paper. These will be the inner and outer sections of the ears. Carefully cut these out with your scissors.

Step 3: Apply glue to each pink ear and stick it to the larger white ear, making sure to keep the points at the top. Allow this to dry before adding a small strip of glue to the straight part at the bottom of the ears and sticking this to the headband strip so that the ears poke out at the top.

Step 4: Now it’s time to decorate your headband!For this part, you can get as creative as you’d like.Draw a pattern, paint on a few flowers, or use extra paper to create 3D bunny features – it’s totally up to you!

Step 5: When you’re happy with your decorations, the only thing left to do is glue your headband together, making sure to use the guidance mark created in step 1. Pop it on your head and wear it proudly!

2.     How to make an Easter basket

Who doesn’t love a budget and eco-friendly activity? Here, we’ll show you a simple and easy method for making this staple Easter craft with materials and tools you’re likely to already have at home.

What you’ll need:

• Recyclable paper
• Cardboard box
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Tissue paper
• Ribbon (optional)

Step 1: Take your cardboard box and carefully cut off the top half. Be sure to leave two strips measuring around 5cm in width on opposite sides of the box – these will later form the basket’s handle.

Step 2: Apply glue to both ends of the strips and stick these together to create a strong handle for the basket.

Step 3: Choose any coloured paper and begin sticking it to the outside of the box. It’s best to work with smaller sections of paper to make sure you cover the outside of the box well. Don’t forget to stick your colourful paper over the handle, too!

Step 4: Now it’s time to make the grass that will line the inside of your basket. To do this, carefully cut two pieces of green paper in half lengthways. Stack the four pieces of paper on top of each other and start cutting zig-zag patterns across one length of all four pieces of paper. Once you’ve done this, you can stick the pieces of paper to the inside edge of the basket, making sure the grass is poking over the top.

Step 5: Finish off by tying your ribbon in a bow on each side of the handle and adding some tissue paper inside. Your basket is now ready to hold whatever you want – whether it’s Easter eggs or your other Easter crafts!

3.     Use a sock to create a cute bunny

What’s the point in buying Easter decorations when you can just make your own? These DIY sock bunnies are a brilliant eco-friendly way to bring a touch of Easter magic to any home. Let’s hop to it!

What you’ll need:

• Old socks
• Uncooked rice (approx. 250 grams per bunny)
• Rubber bands
• A black marker pen
• Ribbon (optional)
• Scissors
• Ruler

Step 1: First, take an old sock and place it over a tall glass. This will make it much easier to pour in the rice, which can be done using a jug. Once the sock is filled with rice, remove it from the glass and tie a rubber band over the sock to stop any rice from leaking out.

Step 2: To make the head and body shape, tie another rubber band in the middle of the rice-filled section. The head should have slightly less rice than the body section. Use another rubber band to create a small, round tail coming off the bottom of the bunny’s body.

Step 3: Cut any extra sock material above the rubber band making sure to leave 3-5cm of material for the ears. If you’d prefer to have floppy ears, leave it slightly longer.  

Step 4: Then, cut the top portion down the middle. Taking a marker, draw a triangle shape with the point at the top on each of the pieces of material. You can then cut out the triangle shape to create the bunny ears.

Step 5: Finally, draw two dots for the eyes and an ‘x’ for the nose. This will bring your bunny to life! For an extra finishing touch, tie a piece of ribbon in a bow around the bunny’s neck.

Create sea creatures with household items

There’s no reason why your family arts and crafts should be limited to traditional things like bunnies and baskets. You can also get creative with household items and make some of your favourite sea creatures! Below are three of our craft suggestions if you’re looking to make something a little different this Easter.

1.     Paper plate sea creatures

Fancy learning how to transform a simple paper plate into sea creatures like sharks and jellyfish with the help of a few supplies found around the house? We’ve got the perfect step-by-step tutorial for you to follow below!

While you’re getting stuck into this craft, you could even take the opportunity to learn more about the fascinating sea creatures that exist in the world. We’ve chosen to make a paper plate shark and jellyfish, but you can always use this as a guide for other sea animals like turtles, fish or crabs. 

Here at Bristol Aquarium, we love sharing our knowledge of sea creatures. For example, did you know that all sharks have fixed fins, bendy bones, multiple unprotected gills and sharp skin made from thousands of tiny teeth? Well, now you do! Jellyfish are just as interesting, and if you’d like to learn more it’s worth checking out our list of 10 interesting jellyfish facts. One of our favourite jellyfish facts is that one species can reverse its ageing process, rightfully earning the name ‘the immortal jellyfish’!

If you’d like to come along and meet the sharks and the many other sea creatures at Bristol Aquarium, simply book your tickets online.

2.     Use pipe cleaners to make a starfish!

Pipe cleaners are great for crafts because they can be bent and twisted to create lots of different shapes. Ready to find out how you can turn these household cleaning tools into a cute starfish? Let’s get started!

What you’ll need:

• Pipe cleaners
• Paints
• Scissors
• Googley eyes

Step 1: Start by dipping your pipe cleaner in a paint colour of your choice. We recommend pink, but you can choose any colour. If you already have coloured pipe cleaners, you can skip this step.

Step 2: Bend a pipe cleaner in a zig-zag formation with 5 points. Join the two edges by twisting them together.

Step 3: Stick two small googley eyes next to each other on one side of the shape, and that’s it!

3.     Sea creature-themed egg

Painted eggs are a popular easter craft, but we’re here to put a twist on the tradition with our sea-creature-themed inspiration!

For this craft, all you’ll need is an egg (hard-boiled, of course), a few different coloured paints, paintbrushes and some glitter. If you’d like to make your sea creature 3D, you can also cut out pieces of paper and glue these on.

This craft can really let your individuality shine. Choose your favourite sea creature, whether it’s a shark or a sea turtle, and let your imagination run wild to bring it to life on your egg. Think of the egg as the head and the body of the sea creature and paint on the main features. For fish, this would be their colourful patterns, scales and fins. For a turtle, this would mean painting a shell.

If you held onto the egg box, you could even paint this to create an ocean scene. Start by painting it blue, and once this has dried, you can draw or paint small fish, coral, or seaweed to give your creations an ‘under the sea’ vibe when the eggs are back in the box.

We hope you enjoy some of our exciting Easter-themed arts and crafts suggestions. For more family fun, why not visit us at Bristol Aquarium? We have plenty of talks, feeds and events running throughout Easter alongside our extraordinary sea creature exhibits to keep all ages entertained! Book your tickets today, or visit our website to learn more.

In this blog post, we will delve into the captivating world of electric eels, exploring their unique characteristics, behaviours, and the electrifying mechanism that sets them apart from other aquatic species.

What is an electric eel?

Electric eels, often referred to as such, are more closely related to catfish and carp than true eels. Their scientific classification is Gymnotidae. As fish, electric eels exhibit a distinctive social behaviour, forming groups known as swarms.

Electric eel vs true eel:

Contrary to their name, electric eels aren’t true eels. True eels belong to the order Anguilliformes, whereas electric eels belong to the order Gymnotiformes. The distinctions between these two types of aquatic creatures lie in their evolutionary history, morphology, and behaviour.

How do electric eels produce electricity?

Electric eels have a remarkable ability to generate electricity, a feature that sets them apart in the aquatic world. Each side of their body has around 70 columns. In turn, each column contains 5000–10 000 electrocytes. which act like tiny batteries. These cells discharge simultaneously when the eel feels threatened or is attacking prey, producing an electric shock of up to 860 volts. This defence mechanism is attributed to three organs: the main organ, Hunter’s organ, and Sach’s organ.

The purpose behind producing electricity is twofold: stunning prey and dissuading predators. The electric shock serves as an efficient means for the electric eel to navigate its surroundings, locate prey, and defend itself against potential threats.

What do electric eels look like?

Electric eels are often compared to true eels due to their long, slender bodies. They can grow up to 8 feet (2.5 metres) in length and have a snake-like appearance with a flattened head. Their thick, scaleless skin is usually dark grey to brown, while the underside is a yellow-orange colour. Interestingly, only 20% of their body length contains vital organs, with the remaining 80% dedicated to electric organs.

These creatures have poor eyesight but compensate by emitting a weak electric signal, functioning like radar to navigate, find mates, and locate prey. They lack pelvic fins and primarily extract oxygen from the water’s surface.

Habitat of an electric eel:

Electric eels inhabit murky pools and calm stretches in the middle and lower Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Unlike true eels, they exclusively reside in freshwater habitats. The distinct wet and dry seasons in their habitat bring about significant changes, influencing the availability of suitable environments for electric eels.

What do electric eels eat?

Adult electric eels are generalist carnivores, consuming fish, crustaceans, insects, and small vertebrates such as amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Juveniles primarily feed on invertebrates, while newly hatched electric eels consume unhatched eggs. The electric eel’s electricity is a crucial tool for hunting, aiding in stunning and capturing prey.

Additional electric eel facts

1. Electric eels can leap out of the water to attack predators.
2. They lay eggs in nests made of saliva.
3. Electric eels can accidentally electrocute themselves and other eels.
4. With a shocking capability of up to 860 volts, they could power a 40-watt DC lightbulb.
5. Electric eels served as inspiration for the creation of the first batteries.

Electric eels, with their electrifying abilities and unique characteristics, continue to captivate scientists and enthusiasts alike. Beyond their captivating features, these creatures play a vital role in maintaining the balance of their freshwater ecosystems.

Here at Bristol Aquarium, we are home to honeycomb moray eels and garden eels. In particular, honeycomb moray eels are fascinating creatures with two sets of jaws, making them incredible predators. You can find them in our Coral Seas exhibit!

For a chance to see our eels up close and personal, book your visit to Bristol Aquarium today!

In this blog post, we embark on an exploration of this fascinating invertebrate, delving into its discovery, characteristics, and the secrets behind its seemingly eternal life.

What is an immortal jellyfish?

The immortal jellyfish (Turritopsis dohrnii) earns its mesmerising nickname due to its remarkable ability to reverse its ageing process and revert to its juvenile form.

This unique creature belongs to the phylum Cnidaria, which includes a group of small, predatory animals including jellyfish, corals and sea anemone. While it may share similarities with other jellyfish, the immortal jellyfish has distinct capabilities which set it apart as one of the most curious organisms in the ocean.

When was the immortal jellyfish discovered?

First described by scientists in the 1880s, the immortal jellyfish’s extraordinary capabilities were only fully understood in more recent years – in the 1980s to be precise. Student scientists Christian Sommer and Giorgio Bavestrello collected the jellyfish and through experiments, they discovered the immortality of the species, which garnered lots of attention.

Its peculiar ability to revert its lifecycle to its juvenile stage, essentially escaping death, has made it the focus of extensive scientific research. The revelation of its biological immortality has sparked interest not only in the scientific community but also among the broader public intrigued by the mysteries of the natural world.

What do immortal jellyfish look like?

The immortal jellyfish is a delicate and almost transparent creature, making it nearly invisible as it drifts through the ocean currents. It is only around 4.5mm wide and tall, and is likely smaller than your little fingernail! Its body is bell-shaped, and can have anywhere from 8 to 80 white tentacles depending on its age.

Similar to other jellyfish, this species has no central nervous system or brain, as well as no other organs like a heart. This is why jellyfish are usually referred to as simple bodied invertebrates.

How does the immortal jellyfish reverse its lifecycle?

The key to the immortal jellyfish’s unique ability lies in its capacity to undergo a process called transdifferentiation. When faced with unfavourable environmental conditions, stress, or reaching the end of its natural lifecycle, the jellyfish can transform its adult cells into specialised cells, effectively regenerating itself back to its juvenile polyp stage.

This remarkable feat allows the immortal jellyfish to escape death and start its life cycle all over again. What’s more, this process can be repeated over and over again. This is an incredibly rare ability!

Immortal jellyfish habitat

These incredible creatures are thought to have originated in the Mediterranean Sea, but they can be found all around the world, preferring tropical and temperate waters. They often inhabit coastal areas, where conditions are preferable for their survival.

Immortal jellyfish diet

Immortal jellyfish are carnivores, primarily preying on plankton, larvae, fish eggs and other microscopic organisms. Their diet reflects their role in the marine ecosystem, playing a part in the delicate balance of ocean life. However, while they may be able to achieve some form of immortality, they are not protected from the threat of predators! Animals that prey on the immortal jellyfish include turtles, penguins, larger fish, and even larger jellyfish.

Immortal jellyfish vs common jellyfish

While the immortal jellyfish shares similarities with its jellyfish counterparts, several key differences set it apart. One of the most obvious distinctions is its ability to reverse its lifecycle, a feature absent in common jellyfish. Additionally, the immortal jellyfish tends to have a longer lifespan even without regenerating.

Comparing their habitats, common jellyfish can adapt to a broader range of environmental conditions, whereas the immortal jellyfish prefers specific climates, usually warmer coastal waters. These differences highlight the unique variations that occur between species of the same family.

In terms of diet, both the immortal jellyfish and common jellyfish are carnivorous, preying on small marine organisms. However, the immortal jellyfish’s regenerative abilities provide it with a potential advantage in times of scarcity, allowing it to survive conditions that might be fatal for other jellyfish.

For more amazing jellyfish facts, check out our list!

The immortal jellyfish, with its captivating abilities and ethereal presence, stands as a testament to the wonders of the natural world. Its discovery has opened new avenues of research and deepened our understanding of life in the ocean. Don’t forget to book your tickets today to come and see all of our incredible sea creatures for yourself!

Skinny, long, and live in water are all phrases that can be used to describe both eels and sea snakes, but one’s a reptile and one’s a fish, so what is the difference?

What is a sea snake?

A sea snake, as the name would suggest is the name for a plethora of snakes, that spend significant time in the water, usually to hunt for food. Sea snakes, despite spending a lot of time in water, are still reptiles.

Their bodies are specifically adapted to make them excellent swimmers compared to their solely land-dwelling cousins. An example of such an adaptation is their paddle-like tails that allow them to propel themselves through the water.

Sea snakes do not have gills so they cannot breathe underwater, but they are able to hold their breath for extended periods of time and are also able to absorb oxygen into their blood through their skin.

What is an eel?

Eels, on the other hand, are a type of slender fish that is visually similar to a snake. Unlike most other fish, eels lack pelvic fins and only have very small pectoral fins.

Much like sea snakes, an eel’s body is slender and adapted to glide through the water by generating waves up their body. Eels can also swim backwards by reversing the waves’ directions.

Key differences in appearance

Sea snakes and eels are both very similar-looking animals, but you’ll be interested to know that there are some key differences to set them apart.

The main difference in how an eel and a sea snake look is that a sea snake doesn’t have any fins or gills.

As well as this, when in water, eels are said to resemble a ribbon gliding through the water, whereas sea snakes resemble a thin piece of rope.

Habitat differences

Eels can be found in both seawater and freshwater, with most living in the sea. They may live in the shallower waters and burrow in the sand and mud, while other species live much deeper. On the other hand, sea snakes are mostly found in the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.

Sea snake vs eel diet

Due to their widely differing habitats, it is unsurprising that even though they look similar, sea snakes and eels have vastly different diets.

Sea snakes rely primarily on small fish and fish eggs for sustenance which are found in abundance in the oceans that they inhabit.

Eels on the other hand, must broaden their horizons, feeding on not only small fish but also invertebrates, crustaceans, shrimp, crabs and sea urchins. Some species of eel are even cannibalistic, meaning they eat other eels!

How long do sea snakes and eels typically live for?

As with most animals, the lifespan can vary wildly depending on what species it belongs to.

For example, the honeycomb moral eel (Gymnothorax favagineus) is known to live to approximately 30 years, with its European cousin (Aguilla anguilla) being known to live up to around 50 years, although an average lifespan of 20 years is much more common. While we know very little about the lifespan of a sea snake currently, scientists agree that most species live up to around 5-10 years on average.

Defence mechanisms

Despite their relatively small stature, eels and sea snakes are both formidable opponents that you wouldn’t want to swim into in a hurry! Let’s look at how these incredible animals defend themselves from predators.

Electric eels are known for their ability to produce electricity to shock any predators that get too close – however, they aren’t an eel at all! Electric eels are actually a group of knifefish, that are closer in relation to catfish than true eels.

Other eels defend themselves using incredibly strong jaws and sharp teeth that produce a seriously nasty bite if threatened or disturbed. Some species of eel are also nocturnal meaning that they are less likely to encounter fish that mean to cause them harm.

Like many species of terrestrial snake, most sea snakes have a venomous bite. They use this to capture their fast moving prey. The venom from certain species of sea snake can be potent but luckily sea snakes are generally very reluctant to bite humans unless handled without care.

There you have it! Despite their many similarities, there is an awful lot that separates eels and sea snakes, whether it be the small differences in their appearance, their diet or location. Come and see our eels for yourself at our Coral Seas exhibit!

Sharks are no different in this regard, but which senses do they rely on the most? In this blog, we’ll explore the senses that sharks use to catch their prey, what makes them unique and what similarities they share with other fish.

How far can sharks smell? 

Sharks have an incredible sense of smell, among the best in the animal kingdom. They use their sense of smell as their primary weapon to track and catch their prey. Sharks can detect smells at between one part per 25 million and one part per 10 billion, depending on the chemical, and the species of shark. This means some species such as Great white sharks can smell about one drop of blood in a small swimming pool.

Sharks use an organ called the olfactory bulb that is located in their noses to detect blood in the ocean.

Do sharks have good eyesight?

Because of their incredible sense of smell, people often assume that sharks have poor eyesight, but this is false.

Most sharks have sight that becomes more acute when 15 meters or closer to an object, this is when the sense of sight is their dominant sense. Some species of deep-water sharks even have larger eyes that detect very faint glimmers of light.

The reason that a shark’s eyesight isn’t better, is simply that they don’t need it to be any better! They’ve survived for at least 450 million years by relying primarily on their sense of smell.

How well can sharks hear?

Sharks have a very fine-tuned sense of hearing which is more sensitive to low frequencies (10-800Hz). This is because injured or dying fish let out sounds at this frequency, meaning that sharks can determine where an easy meal might be.

They can hear sounds from a fair distance away too, despite only being a tiny opening in their head. According to University College London, sharks can hear sounds from up to 800 feet away.

How sharks use their sense of touch

Much like humans, sharks have touch receptors all over their bodies that can detect whenever something is close enough to be touching them. For smaller sharks, such as the Port Jackson shark, this could be predators or prey, so potentially the difference between life or death.

What do sharks taste?

You might think that because a shark is having to work hard for every meal, they can’t afford to be picky but you couldn’t be further from the truth.

Sharks have taste receptors in their mouths that detect taste and are known to reject meals that are distasteful. Some scientists suspect this is why shark attacks on humans are incredibly rare.

Electro-sensory system & lateral line

Sharks possess a remarkable electro-sensory system, relying on specialised cells called electroreceptors concentrated in the ampullae of Lorenzini around their head. These receptors detect electric fields generated by living organisms, aiding sharks in hunting by sensing the bioelectric fields of potential prey, even in darkness.

Additionally, sharks use a lateral line, a network of sensory cells along their body, to detect water movements, pressure changes, and vibrations from nearby objects – this is how the Blind Cave Fish sees.

This dual sensory adaptation enhances sharks’ awareness, facilitating efficient navigation and contributing to their success as predators in diverse underwater ecosystems. The electro-sensory system and lateral line showcase the extraordinary capabilities that make sharks highly adapted to their aquatic environments.

It is clear to see that sharks, as apex predators, rely on a combination of finely tuned senses to navigate and hunt in their diverse underwater habitats.

While their incredible sense of smell serves as a primary tool for tracking prey, their eyesight is not to be underestimated, allowing them to see between 10 and 15 meters even in murky waters.

During your next visit to Bristol Aquarium, you can not only appreciate the beauty and danger of sharks but also their incredible adaptations that have allowed them to stay at the top of the food chain for almost half a billion years!

So, if you’re hoping to learn a little more about these fascinating, spiny creatures, let’s dive straight in and understand just what is a sea urchin.

What is a sea urchin?

Sea urchins belong to a family called Echinodermata; a term that means spiny-skinned. This Phylum is also home to the likes of starfish, brittle stars and sea cucumbers. As a group, these animals are all known as echinoderms.

As they are spherical in shape and often live on the ocean floor, it’s easy to see why they might be seen as a plant, but they are in fact invertebrates. Sea urchins have been around for 450 million years, making them older than dinosaurs!

Types of sea urchins

There are just under 1,000 different species of sea urchins, each with their own individual characteristics and behaviours. For example, the Diadema sea urchin is one of the most ecologically important species as it helps to keep Caribbean coral reefs healthy.

Here at Bristol Aquarium we have our very own Diadema setosum sea urchin, also known as the long-spine sea urchin. It gets its name from its extremely long, hollow spines that can grow up to 30-40cm. Typically found in the Indo-Pacific region, its spines are mildly venomous but not fatal to humans. Interestingly, this particular species has been observed to have some of the best vision amongst sea urchins and can also rapidly invert its body and “run” on the tips of its longest spines! You can come and see this fascinating species in our Learning Lab.

The red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) is the largest species, which has a skeleton of around 18cm in diameter with spine lengths up to 8cm.

There are also a number of edible species of sea urchins. They are primarily used in Japanese uni sushi.

How to identify a sea urchin

Sea urchins are typically very bright in colour and are completely covered in sharp-looking spines. Fun fact: the word ‘urchin’ comes from an old word for hedgehog!

Older species have shorter, stubby spines while newer species have much spikier spines and are typically recognised as modern sea urchins.

Like other echinoderms, sea urchins have an internal skeleton that’s known as a test, which is usually a sphere shape. This is made from a type of calcium carbonate that holds the sea urchin together. These tests have five symmetrical parts around a central point, known as radial symmetry. This is also very similar to starfish.

Sea urchins can’t swim unlike other sea creatures amongst them. Instead, they have tube feet to move along the sea floor.

Habitat of a sea urchin

As they can’t swim, you’ll find sea urchins along the seabed where they typically favour corals and rocks to help them move around. They live in every ocean around the world, with some living in shallower or deeper waters depending on their species. The deepest a sea urchin has been found is 7,340 metres.

This means sea urchins live off the coast of the UK too, such as the green sea urchin (Psammechinus miliaris), which is primarily green with purple tips. The common sea urchin, which is usually pink in colour, can also be found off most coasts on the UK. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of one in a rockpool.

What do sea urchins eat?

While the main diet of a sea urchin consists of algae, they are actually omnivores. They will eat the likes of sea cucumbers, mussels and sea sponges. As sea urchins aren’t particularly agile, they have developed a method of eating that includes scraping algae into their mouth – which is on their underside.

Sea urchins have a unique chewing organ called the Aristotle’s lantern, which is made up of complex jaws and just 5 teeth that are able to sharpen themselves.

Lifespan of a sea urchin

The lifespan of a sea urchin can depend on its species, but they have been known to live anywhere between 20-200 years. For example, it used to be believed that red sea urchins lived only 7-10 years, but more recent findings show that they can actually live up to 100 years.

However, sea urchins can be very sensitive to any changes in their environment, such a change in the water’s pH and rising temperatures. In this sense, sea urchins can act as an early warning for problems in the wider ecosystem. Some species of sea urchins are considered to be in severe decline.

Are sea urchins dangerous?

Sea urchins may look a little bit scary with their spines, and it’s probably best that you steer clear of touching them! Some species have venom in their spines or in their pedicellariae, which is a defensive pincer. The flower sea urchin (Toxopneustes pileolus) is the most toxic. You’ll find this species across the Indo-West Pacific, from Okinawa in Japan to Tasmania in Australia, as well as the East African coast.

However, sea urchins are very passive and injuries usually only occur when a swimmer brushes against the spines or steps on one by accident.

So, if you’re hoping to come and catch a glimpse of some echinoderms at Bristol Aquarium, come on down to the learning lab to see our long-spined sea urchins and our Ocean Floor exhibit where you can see the common starfish! Don’t forget to book your tickets today.