Smooth Billed Ani – VI Wildlife Flash Card
Category Archives: Wildlife Education
Mandahl Nights: Ragged Sea Hares Mating Aggregation
Behold, the mighty Ragged Sea Hare of Mandahl Bay! These attractive little beauties are responsible for the lives of practically all creatures in the Mandahl lagoon. Without them, the lagoon would be an algae-covered stench … Continue reading →
Are Rats Destroying our Coral Reefs?
DID YOU KNOW?Rats and mice were introduced to the Virgin Islands by European ships. Prior to Columbus, bats and humans were the only mammals present. Newly published research in Nature: International Journal of Science suggests … Continue reading →
Public Meeting on the Definition of Fish Aggregating Devices
NOAA Fisheries will hold a public meeting on Friday June 29, 2018, from 9:00am to 1:00pm PDT to seek input on the definition of fish aggregating devices (FADs) that could be applied for conservation measures by international … Continue reading →
Watch this Caribbean Reef Squid Flash its Spots
Full moon, Coral Bloom and Spring downpour … look around with keen eyes while snorkeling or diving and you may just spot a few Caribbean Reef Squid.
Fairly common in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands waters, they can be difficult to see as their colors naturally blend with the water and suspended particles. Adding to the near-invisibility is the fact that the Caribbean Reef Squid is not that big, averaging six to 12 inches as adults.
If you are lucky enough to spot one, you may even be able to see it change colors and flash dot patterns as it communicates with nearby squid. Wary by nature, they may stick around for observation by a swimmer making a slow and unthreatening approach.
Caribbean Reef Squid will let divers know if they have come to close by wagging a crooked tentacle in the air and jetting away as seen at the end of the video.
CARIBBEAN REEF SQUID PAGE
This fish discovered an awesome way to recycle a seashell
The ocean naturally recycles itself. In the Virgin Islands we recognize that fact and have made it illegal to remove natural objects from beaches and shorelines. This includes seashells, coral, natural drift wood, seaweed, pebbles, sand, etc. If it belongs there, leave it there.
~ Longspine squirrelfish – Holocentus rufus
*Any alteration to shoreline, no matter how small, requires a permit. Inquire at the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.*
Turtle Times Nature News Network S01E06 – Airdate: 09-26-16
In this episode:
• VIMAS and STAR kick off the Coastweeks Cleanups.
• Senator Nereida “Nellie” Rivera-O’Reilly ushers through the plastic shopping bag bill.
• Beach and fisheries closure notices.
• Antonio and Sumaiyah continue their fruit fight over the Crop of the Week