Plants and animals in the indian ocean
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Plant life:
Animal Life:
- Sea grass: Various species of seagrasses are some of the most significant species of true plants in the Indian Ocean. They often grow in areas relatively sheltered from rough seas, like estuaries and bays. Over 26 species have been discovered, the most common in the Indian Ocean is Eelgrass.
- Phytoplankton: As in other seas and oceans, much of the Indian Ocean's marine ecosystem hinges on the existence of phytoplankton, a diverse suite of microscopic organisms that includes tiny plants. Phytoplankton are responsible for half of the world's photosynthesis operations accomplished by plants, so they provide much of the oxygen critical to many organisms' survival. They also serve as the base for the underwater food chain: The tiny animals called zooplankton feast on phytoplankton, themselves supporting fish, squid and other creatures
- Algae: Algae are simple, plant-like organisms that, like plants, produce energy through photosynthesis. They are a component of the ocean's plankton swarms. In the Indian Ocean, they also exist in other forms. Many kinds of corals exist in symbiotic, or mutually beneficial, relationship with certain species of photosynthetic algae that produce energy the corals can use.
Animal Life:
- Great white shark: These fish are carnivores and prey upon most sea creatures, and because of its great jaw it can eat most anything. The only sea creatures that the great white shark is prey to, is the killer whale and some large crocodiles.
- Indo-pacific bottlenose dolphins: The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin are carnivores and usually have 23 to 39 teeth. Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are inquisitive, highly intelligent, adaptable predators, capable of problem solving, tool-use and exhibiting some flexibility in terms of prey. They live in the temperate and tropical waters of the Indian Ocean. They usually eat small fish and some squid, they live in groups of 5 to 15 dolphins.
- Octopus Vulgaris: These octopuses have a limited life span of twelve to fifteen months. They are both merciless predators of mollusks and crustaceans and prey to larger organisms such as seals and carnivorous fish. Like most octopuses, this species is nocturnal and prefer deep water caves and dark hiding places to live in.
- Sapphire Devil fish: This fish lives among rubble and corals of the Indian Ocean. When scared, this fish will hide in a hole and change it's color until it is mostly black. It will stay this way until it feels safe again. The sapphire devil fish primarily eats sea plants and small fish