Sample from the Sea

The ocean covers about 71 percent of Earth’s surface. Much of it hasn’t been explored because it is deep and inaccessible. Scientists estimate that only about 10 percent of sea life has been identified and classified. Captain Blake Banks recovered the examples displayed here in fairly shallow water. Just imagine what lives hundreds of thousands of feet deep!

Unfortunately, scientists believe that human actions are affecting the health and number of marine species. The ocean environment needs the same stewardship that animals, plants, and landscapes require on land.

Although the Latin genus and species name for an animal is the same worldwide, the common name varies among countries. Only the common name used in the United States is shown here, along with the Latin name.