More Ramblings from the Ranger

Well folks, a lot has been going on lately: promotions and people transferring in and out of Doheny. In other words, I haven’t had time to really put together an article for everybody. But as always, I’ve been reading and watching shows on the marine environment and have picked up some tidbits you might find interesting -- I know I did.

First of all, for all the women who have had it with the dating scene: Did you know many female crabs store a packet of sperm deposited by a male crab to be used at a much later time when the female decides it is in her interest to reproduce.

For all the park aides who have ever worked on the aquariums: There is a special tank that is made to hold jellyfish called a Kreisel. It can cost upwards of $50,000 for one similar to the one at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. This enclosure has specially designed filters and currents that keep the jellies in the center of the tank preventing them from being squished in a corner.

For all those picky eaters: Contrary to what you might think, many animals eat the lowly jellyfish. This includes birds, such as phalaropes and fulmars; fish, such as mola mola; mollusks of many types, including cowries and nudibranchs and, of course, some sea turtles. Many people also enjoy a small snack of dried jellyfish. There is even a species of jellyfish in Palau that has evolved to a form without stinging cells. Oh, by the way, I know the correct term for jellyfish is now sea jelly, but like the term starfish/sea star, I have a hard time adjusting at my age.

Here’s a quiz for all those animal experts: What is the longest animal on earth? The answer is not the blue whale as many of you might have guessed. The correct answer is the praya. What is a praya you ask? The praya is an animal called a siphonophore and has been know to grow to lengths of over 100 feet.

For recently returned Ranger Brad Barker: It has just been shown by Norwegian Scientists that fish can and do become seasick. When transporting the fish the scientists have noted they become disoriented, nauseated and finally vomit.

For all you animal lovers: Marine biologists have discovered that a sea otter named Morgan that was rehabilitated by the Monterey Bay Aquarium has recently gone on a murder spree. The scientists first noticed Morgan picking on seals but are worried he may turn to members of his own species. Recently it was also discovered that some species of dolphins attack and kill other species of dolphins. Scientists theorize the attacks are done to protect a food source. Finally, several years ago, a rogue dolphin off Brazil attacked two people in one afternoon and killed them by ramming them with its snout. Not much was made of it because, as luck would have it, that same week a shark attacked but did not kill a woman kayaker off California.

For whale lovers: Last year Japan was allowed to slaughter 43 Brydes Whales, 40 Minke Whales and five Sperm Whales for “scientific purposes”. The fact the meat ended up on Japanese dinner tables at staggeringly high prices was purely coincidental.
Back to the Lovable Sea Otter: Did you know it is against the law for a sea otter to swim south of Point Conception? Well it is. Did anyone tell the otters this? In the last year several otters have been seen past that imaginary line. Several years ago boat operator Garry Harvey saw a lone otter swimming off the San Clemente coast.

I hope you enjoyed these little bits of information. If you haven’t been in lately, stop by the Doheny Visitor Center and see our new exhibits on hummingbirds, baleen and mammals of the park. See you then.