Did You Know? Lined Seahorse

Did You Know? Lined Seahorse

SeahorseThe Lined Seahorse (Hippocampus erectus) is also known as the Northern Seahorse or Spotted Seahorse, and sometimes Caballito de Mar (in Spanish) or Hippocampe Rayé (in French). Whatever you call them, seahorses are a species of fish that look like a horse sitting upright. In fact, the translation from their Latin name is “standing horse”.

There are a number of reasons why it’s easier to see Lined Seahorses in an aquarium than in the wild. They like deep water; they are diurnal (most active at dawn and dusk); and, though they may be found from Nova Scotia to Argentina and throughout the Gulf of Mexico, they are really difficult to spot.

Seahorse comicIt’s difficult to spot them in the wild because they are masters at camouflage. They vary in color, the number and pattern of lines and dots on their bodies, and the size and shape of fleshy tabs on their heads and necks varies depending on their surroundings. Add it all up and you’d be lucky indeed to spot a Lined Seahorse — because most of this protective camouflage looks just like their habitat.

If you were looking for a super power, invisibility would be a good one as it keeps you hidden from predators. This is why Lined Seahorses are just some of the amazing animal superheroes we’ve lined up for our SuperWild exhibit, running March 28 through September 7, 2015.  Come out and see if you can spot all of the sea horses at the Living Coast Discovery Center!

SuperWildLogoWhat’s your Super Power?

Swallows Return to the Living Coast

Swallows Return to the Living Coast

IMG_2511You’ve probably heard of the famous Swallows returning to the Mission San Juan Capistrano in Orange County but did you know that many of those swallows now return to the Living Coast instead? It all started with repairs at the mission in 1998, which uprooted the swallows who, for years, returned to the iconic mission. While swallows still return to Capistrano, many have found other places to nest — and return to them, instead of the mission, annually.

IMG_2510Many organizations have gained swallows due to the mission’s loss, including the Japanese Garden in Van Nuys and a posh country club in Chino Hills. Though Mission San Juan Capistrano continues to lure swallows back, not everything has worked.

SwallowThe American Cliff Swallow is a member of the passerine bird family Hirundinidae — the swallows and martins. It breeds in North America and is migratory, wintering in western South America from Venezuela southwards to northeast Argentina. You can read the lore about these particular San Juan Capistrano Swallows here: Legend of the Swallows. You can also read about Cliff Swallows in AllAboutBirds.org or come see our visitors at the Living Coast. You might even start a tradition of returning every spring to see swallows nesting and raising their young.

Here’s a short video of swallows nesting at the Living Coast. Enjoy!

Did You Know? Moon Jellies

Did You Know? Moon Jellies

jelly1This is one in a series of brief posts designed to encourage you to care as much as we do about coastal animals, plants and habitats — and the first about an animal in our SuperWild exhibit!

Did you know you can sometimes see what a Moon Jelly had for dinner? These near-invisible Moon Jellies (or Aurelia labiata) feed on small plankton organisms such as mollusks, crustaceans, larvae, copepods, etc. and, because they are translucent, crustaceans show up as lavender or pink, and brine shrimp as orange, in their bellies.

SuperWildLogoOur SuperWild exhibit showcases “Super Powers” that animals have developed to survive in various environments. SuperWild opens on March 28 and runs through May 7, 2015. Can you guess what a Moon Jellies’ Super Power is? We think the answer is quite transparent. (Invisibility!)

SuperWild: Discovering Animal Super Powers

Through September 7, 2015…

SuperWild: Discovering Animal Super Powers

This special family-friendly exhibit celebrates the amazing world of animal super-heroes, combined with original local artwork. SuperWild, which runs March 28 through September 7, is included with regular admission to the Living Coast.

Animal Super Powers

ChameleonGet up and close and personal with creatures that walk on walls, possess super strength, are invisible to the naked eye, and can even regenerate limbs. There will also be snakes that fish with lightning fast speed, eagle-eyed birds of prey, super-stealth-flying owls, Hulk-sized insects and reptiles that stretch to the extreme—all natural adaptations that help them survive in the wild.TocoToucan

Some of these animals include the Mexican axolotl, pygmy leaf chameleon, bird poop frog, flying draco lizard, fishing ribbon snake, green basilisk, giant millipede, horseshoe crab, pink-toed tarantula,toco toucan and more. In addition, a new roadrunner, affectionately named “Flash” for his super-speed, will be introduced as part of the seasonal exhibit and remain afterwards to join the center’s permanent animal collection.

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Art Component

In keeping with the Living Coast’s tradition of partnering with local artists for its seasonal exhibits, SuperWild will also include an exciting art component. Artists Debb Solan and Marjorie Pezzoli (aka: the Jellygirls) of FusionGlass Co. and Pezzoli Art have created an extensive “smack” of sea jellies out of recycled materials that will be displayed in the Living Coast’s main galleria to bring awareness to the global issue of plastic ocean pollution. These striking, large-scale jellies have previously been showcased at the NOAA Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Museum of Monterey, and the Oceanside Museum of Art.Untitled