Cool Critters

June 25, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite animals native to the Pacific Northwest. To wrap up Cephalopod Week, today’s Cool Critter is the Opalescent Squid!

The opalescent or market squid (Doryteuthis opalescens) is winter’s most colorful, family-friendly fishing! They are relatively small, ...

June 18, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite animals native to the Pacific Northwest. In honor of Cephalopod Week, today’s Cool Critter is the Giant Pacific Octopus!

The Giant Pacific Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is the largest octopus species, reaching lengths of up to 16 ...

June 8, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Giant Pink Sea Star!

The Giant Pink Sea Star (Pisaster brevispinus) is one of the largest and heaviest sea stars in the world, and is possibly the prettiest pink the Pacific. This sea star can dig, and then stretch its ...

May 28, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Aquatic Caterpillar!

The Aquatic Caterpillar (Petrophila), also known as the Petrophila Moth, are generally found attached to rocks in warmer rivers and streams. The silken scabs harbor the caterpillars and chrysalises that are ...

May 21, 2021

Welcome to our Cool Critters series, where Marine Ecologist Jeff Adams shares the unique features of his favorite marine animals native to the Pacific Northwest. Today’s Cool Critter is the Tiger Beetle!

The Tiger Beetle (Cicindelinae) is brilliantly colored and get their name of ‘tiger’ from their fierce appearance with their protruding eyes and large mandibles. They are shoreline ...