"Sometimes we are lucky enough to know that our lives have been changed, to discard the old, embrace the new, and run headlong down an immutable course. It happened to me ... on that summer’s day, when my eyes were opened to the sea."----------Jacques Yves Cousteau

  The world of the coral reef is one of the most diverse ecosystems on our planet. The sheer number of life forms in this environment rivals even that of the tropical rain forests. Built over thousands of years by tiny calcium-producing organisms, the reefs are a haven for countless thousands of life forms, some of which seem totally alien in form. It is a fairy tale world of bright colors and ever changing patterns. Only on the reef can one find living examples from nearly every group of organisms representing a billion years of evolution. Some of the oldest reefs today began growing over 25 million years ago. Diving on a coral reef is like entering another world. We have, in fact, spent less time and money exploring the world's oceans than we have the surface of the Moon. Every day brings the discovery of an exciting new species. It is a world of never-ending wonders. But it is also an extremely fragile environment, and it is in very real danger of disappearing forever. Mankind's ignorance and carelessness is beginning to have a noticeable impact on the world's reefs. From the Florida Keys to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the damage is becoming apparent. If we wish to share this wondrous world with our children, we must take steps to conserve it. The first step to saving our reefs is education. This section of Sea and Sky is a meager attempt by myself to bring some of the splendors of the sea to the public. Please click on one of the categories below for a brief introduction to the fantastic life forms in each group. You may also use the menu to the left to navigate through the incredible world of the reef.

  The sea worms are a large and varied group of animals belonging to a group called annelida. They are segmented worms, and all bear at least some resemblance to the common earthworm. In the ocean, however, the worms have evolved many different appearances. One of the more interesting varieties is the tube worms. These animals form a hard-shelled tube that provides them protection. The feather duster worms have a series of feathery tentacles on top that are used to filter nutrients from the water. When threatened by predators, they quickly withdraw deep into their tube homes. Another species, the Christmas tree worm, has a very ornate arrangement of feeding tentacles that can be found in a wide variety of bright colors. Some sea worms, such as the bristle worm, wander the sea floor with a covering of tiny bristles that can deliver a painful sting if threatened. The flatworms have flattened bodies and look more like chewing gum as they forage for food on the rocks. Below is a listing of some of the more common worms found on the reef.

  Several million years ago, the first animals moved from the sea to colonize the land. Eventually, worldwide changes in climate and geography convinced some of the mammals to move back to the sea. These animals have since evolved to be perfectly adapted to their environment. Most of these animals comprise a group known as the cetaceans, which includes the dolphins and whales. The other main group of marine mammals falls into the pinnipedia family, which includes the seals and sea lions. Breathing air and then diving, cetaceans can hold their breath for unimaginable lengths of time. They are peaceful animals, and they are quite intelligent. Some of the largest brains in the world of mammals are found in the oceans. 

  These animals have exhibited remarkable abilities to communicate and learn. Their natural lives are spent in close family groups caring for their young and each other. Their songs can be heard echoing for miles beneath the waves. It is shameful to think that mankind hunted most of these magnificent animals to the brink of extinction. But today, under the protection of most of the world's governments, they are coming back. In marine parks around the world, their ambassadors are helping to save their kind by helping us to better understand them. Below is a listing of some of the world's more familiar marine mammals.>>>>您已经在有意无意中闯入我的世界，恳请您往下看完我的故事。我叫菲菲，今年20岁，学生 ，此时我正在线上哦。人生短短几十年，只要我们活得精彩，活得快乐，其他的都变得不重要了，我当初不想拍这样的视频,因为认为有些拍得很变态，也有后悔，但每次听到妈妈和妹妹给我打电话，夸我懂事，我都会感到非高兴。。。！！想到有那么多朋友默默地支持帮助我,我坚持了下来，现在每个月我都能寄钱回家呢，特别感谢大家对我的支持和理解.拍这个也是一次很意外的知道隔壁寝室的同学在拍这个，平时看她很多钱的样子，原来是这样的啊，我想我身材比她好，人也比她漂亮，而且她说不会有什么后果的，所以，我就。。。。。但我想，，，等我毕业了(我念表演系的^_^)，就不做了吧。 呵呵，无论怎么都要你们的支持哦，理解万岁哦！！！看我视频后请踊跃评论,谢谢支持我!!请各位先欣赏下面我的视频录象和我的一些生活照^_^,不过看视频是需要下载专用的浏览器才能观看的。如果您觉得我的身材够好的话，然后再进入聊天室和我视频哟,请用我视频上留下的联系方式联系!!网络清查的越来越厉害了，现在激情视频表演的聊天室基本上都转移到了GOOGLE 平台上去了，只有借助FIREFOX浏览器自带的视频聊天室才能为您进行视频表演的哟！！我的QQ:787231771