Oceans and Sea Life
⭐ MasteredOceans cover about 70% of Earth. Whales are mammals that breathe air, while fish breathe with gills.
The blue whale is the largest animal ever to have lived.
All about Oceans and Sea Life
Oceans cover about 70% of Earth's surface and hold most of its water. They contain a huge range of life, from tiny plankton that float near the surface to giant whales and deep-sea creatures that live in total darkness.
Sea animals breathe in different ways. Whales and dolphins are mammals that breathe air at the surface, while fish take in oxygen from the water through gills. Many sea creatures are at risk from plastic pollution and overfishing.
Many sea creatures have never been studied in detail.
Sea life needs sunlight, clean water and healthy coral reefs and seagrass beds to survive. Fish, sharks, dolphins, octopuses and crabs all live in the ocean. Protecting the oceans from pollution and overfishing keeps the whole food web working.
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👀 What the animation shows
This animation shows an underwater scene with fish, whales and plankton. Watch how the animals move through different depths of the ocean and how the sunlight fades the deeper you go.
Real-life uses of Oceans and Sea Life
- Producing much of the oxygen in the air through ocean plankton
- Providing food for billions of people
- Regulating Earth's climate by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide
Frequently asked questions about Oceans and Sea Life
Why do whales need to come up for air?
Whales are mammals with lungs, so they must breathe air at the surface even though they live in the sea.
How deep is the ocean?
The deepest part, the Challenger Deep in the Pacific, is more than 10,900 metres below sea level.
What is plankton?
Tiny plants and animals that drift in the water. Phytoplankton are plants that make food through photosynthesis and form the base of many food chains.