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Have you ever seen a shrimp glowing in the dark? Ever seen a bass adsorbed on a manta ray? Marine animals often behave strangely and incomprehensibly, but there is a reason for their actions. Here's a list of 11 weird behaviors of marine animals, so let's take a look!
1． Parrotfish sleep in mucus cocoons
The dirty green parrotfish that live on the Great Barrier Reef sleep in a mucus cocoon. Shutterstock.com/Tidewater T
Before going to bed, parrotfish secrete mucus to form a cocoon, wrap themselves up, and then they can fall asleep in peace. This is because mucus cocoons help mask their odor, avoid being smelled by predators, and also block the entry of parasites into the body.
2． The posterior jawed stingray hatches eggs
Male posterior-jawed eels in the Caribbean hatch eggs in their mouths. Shutterstock.com/Lindsey Lu
The yellow-headed posterior jaw is an oral breeding fish that hatches eggs in the mouth. During hatching, male posterior jawed eels spit out their eggs regularly for cleaning and retaining moisture. This hatching method protects the eggs from predators and greatly improves the survival rate of the next generation.
3． Tongue-eating parasites swallow fish tongues instead
The clownfish has three parasites in its mouth. Shutterstock.com/Mike Workman
In the ocean, a small parasitic isopod known as the shrunken-headed fish lice (commonly known as tongue-eating worms or tongue-eating lice) enters the mouth of the fish through the gills of the fish, eating the tongue and replacing it. It is the only species known to parasitize in the host body in a way that replaces the host organ by itself. When the tongue is replaced, the lice continue to feed on the fish's blood or mucus, while the host fish forages for tongue-eating insects as normal tongues, and the two coexist wonderfully.
4． The rump-headed parrot hits the coral with its head
Bulging-headed parrotfish on coral reefs. Shutterstock.com/Rich Carey
The bumphead parrotfish ("Bumphead parrotfish", literally translated as "bumphead parrotfish") gets its name from its strange eating behavior. The fish "bumps" corals into small pieces with their huge heads, making them easier to digest when eaten.
5． Bass adsorbed on large marine animals to "travel" around
Close-up of the nurse shark and two parasitic bass on it. Shutterstock.com/Pete Niesen
Bass, also known as sucker fish, is the laziest fish in the world. The fish is a typical "opportunist", using suction cups attached to large marine animals such as sharks and rays, and travels the world with ease. In return, they feed on food scraps dropped by the host, occasionally helping the host clean up the parasites outside the body.
6． Color-blind octopus can change color
Close-up of an octopus eyeball. Shutterstock.com/Kerry L. Werry
Although the octopus is colorblind, it has an amazing ability to change color. Scientists speculate that octopuses can identify colors that may be related to the special shape of their pupils. Octopuses use strangely shaped pupils to distinguish wavelengths, and by changing the position of the retina (that is, elongating or squashing the eyeball), so that different colors of light are focused on the retina, so as to distinguish colors.
7． Parrotfish discharge white sand
Parrotfish nibble hard corals with their beaks. Shutterstock.com/Rich Carey
Research suggests that the existence of stunning white sand beaches may be due to parrotfish and, more specifically, to the droppings of parrotfish. Parrotfish use their powerful teeth to nibble on hard corals, digesting and discharging white sand. In fact, a single parrotfish can excrete more than 300 kilograms of sand per year.
8． Marine animals glow in the dark
In The Lanbi Strait of Indonesia, coconut octopus exhibits bioluminescent abilities on the ocean floor. Shutterstock.com/Cingular
Certain species in the ocean, such as turtles, eels, shrimp, and some sharks, exhibit natural biofluorescence. They absorb dim light and reflect it into brighter colors that glow in the dark. However, it should be noted that biofluorescence differs from bioluminescence in that bioluminescence does not depend on the animal's absorption of light, but rather produces the animal's own light through chemical reactions.
9． Catfish hide in coral caves
On a coral reef in Indonesia, a lovely red-spotted catfish looks out from its sanctuary. Shutterstock.com/Ethan Daniels
Catfish are very shy species, hiding most of the time in tiny crevices such as abandoned wormholes formed by hard corals and rocks. They return to the cave to observe their surroundings and usually only leave for a short time.
10． Shark skin is covered with tooth-like scales
Tooth-like scales on shark skin. Shutterstock.com/Anzio Chou
The shark's skin is covered with many tiny tooth-like scales called shark shield scales (denticles). These "skin teeth" not only reduce resistance when swimming, allowing sharks to swim faster, but also help to resist predator attacks.
11． Mantis shrimp "snapped their fingers" and slammed their prey
Mantis shrimp have amazing eyesight and often use powerful skimming to hammer the shells of their prey. Shutterstock.com/Ethan Daniels
Mantis shrimp have two predatory appendages in front of their bodies, which are their powerful weapons. When attacking prey, the pair of appendages eject at speeds of up to 80 km/h, with acceleration comparable to a bullet of point 22 caliber, producing an impact force that can easily crush the hard shell of the prey.
There are many strange behaviors of marine animals, most of which are gradually formed in the long process of evolution, which is of great significance for their survival. Although it may seem difficult to understand, it is precisely such a unique way of survival that constitutes a wonderful underwater world.