What Lives in the Ocean?

The oceans of the world are filled with thousands and thousands of different living things. Scientists believe there may be a million kinds of species living in the oceans, some of which have yet to be discovered. The ocean covers over 70% of the Earth's surface, though only 5% of the animals in the world. And just like on land, there are many different plants and animals.

Most ocean plants either float on the surface of the water or are grown in shallow water. Just like plants on land, the ocean plants need sunlight to grow, too. The deepest parts of the ocean may not contain plant life or have very little plant life because sometimes the energy from the Sun cannot reach deep into the ocean.

Seaweed is a type of algae called phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is very tiny, but it is the plant that gives off more oxygen than any other plant on Earth. Seaweed is a type of algae that floats on the surface of the water and has been used by people for food, and material for housing, ropes, and baskets.

Kelp is another ocean plant that reaches up to 250 feet making it the largest ocean plant in the world. It is usually brown and grows and lives on the surface of the water, but some can also be very colorful. Kelp is also another kind of seaweed. It grows very quickly and needs the energy from the Sun to survive. The third type of plant is called seagrass. Seagrass also grows in shallow water living on the floor of the ocean. In addition, they have roots and flowers. There are many other plants in the ocean that are like algae and seaweed.

The ocean is the largest habitat for animals in the world. The animals of the ocean either live in the deep open sea or both on land and in the water. Many people believe coral is a plant, but it is an animal. Coral relies on the algae in the ocean to keep it alive, and the coral helps the algae to survive. The algae attached to the coral also gives coral its beautiful colors. Coral also has tentacles to capture small fish.

Of course, there are many different types of fish living in the world's oceans. Some of the fish include tuna, sharks, eels, stingrays, angelfish, clownfish, salmon, sardines, cod, and many others. In addition to fish species, there are mammals that also live in the ocean including dolphins, whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, manatee and several others. Many other animals include the octopus, lobster, crabs, jellyfish, squid, clams, sea dollar, and others.

There are also animals that live on land and in the ocean, relying on the ocean for their food. These animals include sea turtles, saltwater crocodile, marine iguana, and several others, including the polar bear. Furthermore, there are seabirds that rely on the ocean for survival including penguins, pelicans, tern, albatross, puffins, gulls, and a few others. The ocean is a giant habitat where many of the living organisms rely on each other to stay alive.