These facts come from the pages of TIME for Kids books, which help curious kids learn more about their favorite topics. Explore awesome ocean facts about life under the sea.
Growing up to 100 feet long and weighing up to 200 tons (400,000 pounds), the BLUE WHALE is the largest animal on Earth. Its heart can weigh as much as a car, and its tongue weighs as much as an elephant.
HORSESHOE CRABS are more closely related to scorpions and spiders than to crabs. They’ve been around for more than 400 million years—since long before the dinosaurs.
The GIANT OCEANIC MANTA RAY is one of the largest fish in the world, with a “wingspan” of up to 29 feet. It also has one of the largest brains of any fish. It can even recognize itself in a mirror, which very few other animals can do.
When a PEACOCK MANTIS SHRIMP finds prey, it throws out a punch like a boxer. That punch is 50 times faster than the blink of an eye, and strong enough to break glass.
The ATLANTIC PUFFIN can flap its wings 400 times a minute. It can fly at speeds of 55 miles an hour. That’s the speed limit on some highways.
The WHALE SHARK is the largest fish in the world. It can grow to the size of a school bus. It’s known for the checkerboard pattern along its sides and back, which is unique for each shark, like a human fingerprint.
Ready for a bigger bite? Spectacular Sea Creatures is available now, online and in bookstores and libraries.
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