Seals and Their Deep-Sea Habitats

Ecologist Dr. Frank Parish used National Geographic's Crittercam to study seal habitats beyond the beach. The study revealed that seals spend significant time sleeping offshore, contrary to expectations. Further exploration with satellite tags and deep-sea submarines uncovered that seals dive deep to feed on fish in coral-encrusted pinnacles. This discovery challenges previous assumptions about seal habitats, emphasizing the need for protection beyond beaches and shallow corals.

What tool did Dr. Frank Parish use to monitor seal movements beyond the beach?

• Underwater Drone

• GPS Tracker

• Crittercam

• Sonar Device

What surprising behavior did the seals exhibit while offshore?

• Sleeping

• Building nests

• Hunting for fish

• Playing with other seals

What technology helped track the seals' movement to a specific deep-sea location?

• Sonar

• Radar

• Radio Frequency

• Satellite Tags

What did the deep-sea exploration initially reveal about the ocean floor?

• It was full of shipwrecks

• It was covered in seaweed

• It was teeming with life

• It was mostly barren

What type of structures were found encrusted with gold corals?

• Coral reefs

• Pinnacles

• Sunken ships

• Underwater caves

Why are fish easier for seals to catch in the coral habitats?

• Seals are camouflaged in corals

• Fish can't hide well in corals

• Corals provide hiding spots for seals

• Fish are slower in corals

What was the significant discovery made during the follow-up dive?

• A new species of fish

• A monk seal foraging

• A giant squid

• A sunken treasure

How did the discovery of seals at the ocean floor impact scientific understanding?

• It indicated seals are solitary creatures

• It showed seals can live in deep-sea environments

• It confirmed seals only live on beaches

• It proved seals are nocturnal

What does the new understanding of seal habitats imply for conservation efforts?

• Focus only on beach areas

• Protect shallow waters

• Extend protection beyond beaches

• Ignore deep-sea areas

What is the main reason seals are attracted to the coral structures?

• To breed

• To find shelter

• To hunt fish

• To escape predators