|
Back to VIRTUAL EXPLORATIONS
Dr. Andrea Marshall of the Marine Megafauna Foundation will be sharing her experiences and work at saving three of the ocean’s largest residents — the whale shark, leatherback sea turtle and dugong.
Stay up to date on our Virtual Explorations by signing up for our free enewsletter service by clicking the button above.
Dr. Andrea Marshall of the Marine Megafauna Foundation will be sharing her experiences and work at saving three of the ocean’s largest residents — the whale shark, leatherback sea turtle and dugong.
Stay up to date on our Virtual Explorations by signing up for our free enewsletter service by clicking the button above.
What is "megafauna?"
This word literally means "large animal." (Mega = large, fauna = animal.) Scientists define megafauna as any large animals of a particular region, habitat, or geological period. To be classified as megafauna, an animal has to achieve an adult weight for at least 97 lbs (44 kg). This means most dinosaurs are classified as megafauna, as are woolly mammoths, modern horses, black bears, cougars, dolphins and even human beings,
Some megafauna are (or were) so big that they actually had the ability to change the ecosystem in which they reside, such as causing deforestation through overgrazing or trampling the landscape. Because of their size, many megafauna have few natural predators. While this may make them seem impervious to harm, megafauna are vulnerable in others ways. For example, large animals require a lot more food to survive and could starve to death if these natural resources dwindle.
To start better understand marine megafauna and the challenges they face, download the student guide above or click on the animals shown in the photo gallery below. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page to read Dr. Marshall's blogs one three megafauna species and her analysis and suggestions for saving these large animals.
Some megafauna are (or were) so big that they actually had the ability to change the ecosystem in which they reside, such as causing deforestation through overgrazing or trampling the landscape. Because of their size, many megafauna have few natural predators. While this may make them seem impervious to harm, megafauna are vulnerable in others ways. For example, large animals require a lot more food to survive and could starve to death if these natural resources dwindle.
To start better understand marine megafauna and the challenges they face, download the student guide above or click on the animals shown in the photo gallery below. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page to read Dr. Marshall's blogs one three megafauna species and her analysis and suggestions for saving these large animals.
