Category: Other Sea Life Phylum:    Arthropoda Class: Crustacea Order: Thoracica Family:  Scalpellidae Species:   Pollicipes polymerus (Gooseneck) Barnacle - Barnacle Videos The 800 species of Barnacle are crustaceans, the adult form of which encrusts rocks, the piles of piers, and the bottoms of ships. The animal has been aptly described as "standing on its head and kicking food into its mouth." The barnacle’s head is cemented firmly to rock or other underwater objects. The shell is made up of several plates, which are open while he animal is submerged, but closed if it is exposed to air by the receding tide. While submerged, the barnacle moves its feathery legs in and out of the shell to comb food from the water. There are several basic types of barnacle. Acorn Barnacles are the most numerous animals on shore, and up to 30,000 have been found on one square yard. Most Acorn Barnacles are small but one American species has a diameter of nearly 12 in. (30 cm). The second type, the Goose (gooseneck) Barnacles, hang from a tough stalk that is formed from the front part of the head. The larvae of both types float freely in the sea until they settle and become adults.   Worldwide Region(s): North America

Category: Birds Phylum:    Chordata Class: Aves Order: Anseriformes Family:  Anatidae Species:   Branta Leucopsis Barnacle Goose - Barnacle Goose Videos The Barnacle Goose is similar to, but smaller than, the Canada Goose. Its plumage is gray with black stripes, the neck is black and the head is white. It breeds in the Arctic and migrates south to parts of northern Europe for the winter. The common name dates from the Middle Ages. Before the breeding sites of barnacle geese were known, people thought that they were hatched from goose barnacles because they looked something like them. They fee on a variety of plants, and on a few small animals unlike other geese, they build down-filled nests on the rocky ledges of cliffs.   Worldwide Region(s): Arctic, Europe, North America

Category: Fish Phylum:    Chordata Class: Osteichthyes Order: Perciformes Family:  Sphyraenidae Species:   Barracuda Barracuda - Barracuda Videos The Barracuda is a fierce and voracious fish. It has a torpedo-shaped body, a jutting lower jaw, and a wicked set of fangs. It is a school fish when young but the largest barracudas, up to 9 ft. (2.7 m) in length, are solitary fish. Barracudas charge through schools of prey fish with snapping bites. They may round up the rest of a school and herd it until the time comes for the barracudas’ next meal. Divers often fear barracudas more than they fear SHARKS, because a barracuda hunts by sight and will quickly attack based on movement, bright shiney objects, or anything that grabs its attention! It is always important to remember that these beautiful creatures, much like sharks, are not "evil" animals, but merely natural. Barracudas are wonderful to study, especially when you can understand their natural behavior.   Worldwide Region(s): Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean

Category: Reptiles Phylum:    Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family:  Iguanidae Species:   Basiliscus basiliscus Basilisk - Basilisk Videos There are several species of the beautiful Basilisk, all living in tropical America. Contrary to popular belief, Basilisks are basically harmles screatures, except to the birds and rodents they catch and eat! Basilisks grow about 2 ft. (60 cm) long. They have a long tapering tail, and males have a crest of skin that runs down the head, back, and tail. If an enemy comes near, the basilisk will run away on its long hind legs that end in long toes fringed with scales. This lizard can even run on water for a short distance without sinking! They are remarkable to watch and study.   Worldwide Region(s): Central America, North America, South America

Category: Fish Phylum:    Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Lamniformes Family:  Cetorhinidae Species:   Cetorhinus maximus Basking Shark - Basking Shark Videos The Basking Shark is a large but inoffensive shark, often more than 42 ft. (13 m) long. After the equally harmless whale shark, it is the largest of all sharks. These giant fish both feed on the smallest of sea creatures. They swim slowly forward with their mouths open, straining out from the seawater great quantities of the floating bodies of the tiny animals and plants of the plankton. The Basking Shark lives in temperate seas throughout the world, but is most common in the North Atlantic. A second species is believed to live in seas off the coast of Australia. Basking sharks enter coastal waters in summer, either singly, or in groups and schools of up to 60 fish. They are heavily sought and fished for their great livers, which provide much of the world’s cod liver oil.   Worldwide Region(s): Worldwide

There are four kinds of desert foxes. They hide in the shadows of rocks most of the day, and all four kinds have large ears, which give off heat easily and help keep the foxes cool.