There are roughly 100 shark species in southern Africa, and while most of them are very rarely seen and are harmless, Great White Sharks Carcharodon carcharias are of the more infamous of these species particularly due to its perceived aggressive nature. This shark species is one you will recognize on sight. It has a blue-grey READ MORE
With a few days of rough seas and strong easterly winds there have been quite a few loggerhead turtles that have washed up, and attached to the turtles have been an incredible number of goose barnacles. This sparked my interest and I started doing some research into goose barnacles. Barnacles are highly modified crustaceans, and READ MORE
A few weeks ago a Black Marlin Istiompax indica washed up on Central Beach in Plettenberg Bay measuring 3.8 m. Unfortunately, I was not in town to see it but I was inspired to do some research into the species. Black Marlins are found in tropical and subtropical Indian and Pacific Ocean, preferring to stay READ MORE
Mangrove ecosystems have a very narrow band of distribution and are found in tropical and subtropical areas around the world. They are amongst the most rare and interesting ecosystems that occur in the tidal or coastal environment. Mangroves consist of unusual salt-adapted trees which allows them to thrive in the intertidal zone, a habitat that READ MORE
The octopus (Greek Októpus meaning eight foot) is a cephalopod mollusk that belongs to the order Octopoda. This animal has 4 pairs of arms, 2 eyes, a beak within a mouth at the center of the arms, and has no internal or external skeleton (though some retain a remnant of a shell within the mantle). READ MORE
How frustrating is it to have a conversation while someone is jackhammering nearby? Or drilling perhaps? You have to raise your voice, repeat your words, and even then the person you are talking to might misunderstand what you are trying to convey. Or perhaps your response is that of my Mom’s regarding my music habits READ MORE
While walking the beaches of Plettenberg Bay and Natures Valley one can regularly find the egg cases of the twineyed skate Raja mireletus. The twineyed skate is a small medium-brown skate with close-set small dark brown spots on the upper surface, and is white underneath. Its name comes from two blue eyespots on the pectoral READ MORE
While it is common knowledge that dolphins communicate through whistles, clicks, and screams, most perhaps do not realise how complex their communication is thought to be. This thought stems from the knowledge of dolphin call repertoires, high level of intelligence, and ability to learn and replicate other vocal cues – not just a pretty face! READ MORE
Perhaps more commonly known as a pumpkin pansy or the sea potato, the heart urchin Echinocardium cordatum is a beautiful irregularly oval urchin which is usually 4-5 cm in length, but can grow up to 9 cm. The body is covered in short spines, which are mostly directed backwards, unlike other sea urchins found in READ MORE
While walking the stretch of beach between Robberg Peninsula and Beacon Island I came across several dried out boxfish which spurred me to read up about this group of fish. Boxfish range in size from 15 – 46 cm and are generally solitary fish which spend their time on rocky and coral reefs, and grass READ MORE