Fact Friday

Atlantic Squid

Caribbean reef squid communicate with each other by changing colors. They do this by controlling their color-changing cells called chromatophores. Each chromatophore contains a sac filled with pigment. When they expand their chromatophores, the color becomes brighter and when they contract these sacs, the color is dulled. These creatures have complex nervous systems that enable them to expand and contract these unique cells.

Photo Credit: Amanda Williams

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October 20, 2023

Sea Turtle

Sea turtles can hold their breath for 4-7 hours while sleeping and resting. How do they do it? Sea turtles are reptiles; like humans, they breathe air. They cannot breathe underwater. When a sea turtle is inactive, its metabolism and heartbeat “slows down,” which decreases the amount of oxygen it uses in its blood. Sea turtles can slow their heartbeat so that it only beats once every nine minutes! For comparison, the human heart beats an average of 80 times in one minute. One breath from the surface can go a long way for these amazing animals.

Photo Credit: Ken Marks