From the largest animals on the planet (blue whales) to microscopic plants, the oceans contain a tremendous variety of life. About one-quarter million marine species have been described already, and some scientists believe there may be several million undiscovered species. link toLearn more about the wonders of water.

gray sealOnly in ZooGoer Magazine
Never seen a Mediterranean monk seal? Most people haven't. The seal is a reclusive and disappearing species, no thanks to human impacts on its habitat. Find out more.

The Zoo's gray seals spent their early years as Navy seals—literally. Today you can still see evidence of their underwater skills. Read all about them.

Keeper Talk
Hear Zoo keeper Tina Scott talk about gray seals—how to tell them apart from sea lions, the Zoo seals' Navy past, training, and what makes these animals so special—in this interview with former FONZ intern Caitlin Lukacs.

Sea Lions at the Zoo
The Zoo's rescued California sea lions are now two years old and, in March, weighed about 100 pounds each. The playful marine mammals have learned a lot of training behaviors and participate in the daily demonstrations. They were rescued as newborns in June 2005 on separate beaches in California, and were raised at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. link tomore

Spineless Ocean Dwellers
elegance coralOther ocean-dwelling animals can be found in the Invertebrate Exhibit. The Pacific octopus is one of the stars here, but you will find other fascinating spineless wonders here, such as anemones, urchins, crabs, lobsters, and elegance coral (pictured at right).
link tomore about coral and other cnidarians

link to Invertebrate Photo Gallery | link toHelp with cam

Can’t see any animals?
The animal in this exhibit may have moved out of view. FONZ volunteers operate some cams, but most of our cams show a fixed view.

The giant Pacific octopus is the world's largest octopus—large males may have an arm span up to 25 feet and weigh more than 100 pounds. Octopuses are mollusks, and are related to squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses.
Octopus facts | Ocean Living photo gallery


Aquatic Animals
From mammals and birds to invertebrates and reptiles, the Zoo is home to many animals that live in freshwater. Beavers, river otters, and brown pelicans reside in Beaver Valley. American alligators, Cuban crocodiles, Amazon River tortoises, and greater sirens can be found at the Reptile Discovery Center. Aquatic insects, water scorpions, and sunburst diving beetles can be seen at the Invertebrate Exhibit. And flamingos, mandarin ducks, and wood ducks can be seen in outdoor exhibits at the Bird House.

Zoo Sends Student to Study Polar Bears in the Arctic
Cesar with a polar bear statueCesar Ruano, a senior at a local high school and a participant in the Zoo’s Community Science Workshop, has traveled to Canada to study climate change and observe polar bears in the wild. click to Find out more and read his daily journal.


Beyond the Zoo
Zoo scientists study a variety of ocean-living animals, from gray seals and sea turtles to fish and coral. more

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