Marine Monday: Struggle for Survival The backcountry mangrove islands in Key West and Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuges were established to protect resident and migratory birds, and nesting sea turtles for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. These often overlooked mangrove areas also provide habitat for the vast marine resources of the Florida Keys. This video highlights a very quick look into the daily life of the baitfish (anchovies, silversides, herring, etc.) that are food for dozens of species of fish and birds that are higher up the food chain. These baitfish are quick swimmers, they move in schools to protect themselves (safety in numbers), and they are silvery colored to help camouflage themselves. Even all these adaptations arent enough to protect the unlucky from becoming a meal for our pelicans, herons and egrets, cormorants, terns and other birds as well as the possibility of being eaten by bigger fish. The lemon shark in this video is probably a little to big to eat these smaller fish, but you get to see the respect it commands as the tiny fish shy away as the shark passes. And all this action takes place on a daily basis at the base of the mangrove trees in the Florida Keys.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Nov 2014 14:45:22 +0000
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