News
Construction Crews – who digs those holes in the sand?
Gliders, Mantis Shrimps and Gorgeous Prawns… Mouth filled with sand, the Pennant Glider emerged from his hole and expelled the sand onto the growing pile at the edge of the hole. His partner darted into the hole and emerged with another mouthful of sand that he too spat onto the pile. Their burrow was formed in a crevice in the sandy rubble bottom and they had simply taken up residence in it and kept it clear. But the varying currents kept filling it, shells rolled into it, and they maintained it by suction and jet expulsion. This simple method of clearing a hole is used by many fish species as a sort of undersea vacuum cleaning system.
Not all such undersea residences are natural however. Some of the most impressive burrows on the reef are made by the Mantis Shrimp. They have immensely powerful front claws, and some species are able to break a camera lens with a blow. They can easily dig out a substantial hole in the sand on the reef, and Mantis shrimp are largely responsible for the more impressive holes on the reef.
The Giant Mantis creates a fully lined, superbly constructed burrow for himself in soft sand. These holes seem to be lined with a cement made with spittle and bits of sea-grass, and they are extremely strongly built.
Smaller holes become the home of Commensual Partnerships between a prawn and a goby.
The Goby can see and hunt but can’t dig, and the prawn can dig but is blind and can’t hunt. So they team up, and form a mutually beneficial relationship.
The goby’s task is to find food, and the prawn shares his bounty. The goby acts as the attack alarm, and is incredibly sensitive to movement and light. Few people know to wait and watch their interaction but it can be hilarious.
The prawn’s job is to dig and shovel the debris out of their home as it accumulates, depositing it in the right place by following the spine of the Goby with a feeler. The goby moves to point in the direction where the prawn must shovel the next pile of sand. This works very well until an extra goby arrives, or another shrimp joins the team.
We watched for half an hour as a pair of industrious shrimp both shovelled sand, small coral pieces and bits of shell out of the hole under the direction of a rather harassed-looking goby. The problem came when they both shoved at the same long coral piece, and it got stuck in the mouth of the hole. Looking baffled, his line of retreat closed, the goby darted off and hid under a rock. The two prawns shoved vigorously until the mouth of the hole ruptured, and a full day’s work dropped back into the hole. The goby came home, and you almost hear him muttering with rage as he haughtily dived through the debris to seek sanctuary below.
Where there are two gobies and only one shrimp sharing a hole, it is even funnier, as the two gobies point the prawn in opposite directions. We watched a completely paranoid prawn shoving a pile of sand and shells out of the hole as directed by the first goby and then pushing the same pile of sand back into the hole by following the spine of the second goby. The hole never changed, and we left before the prawn gave up.
Look out for holes in quiet corners on rubble or sandy bottoms, duck behind a rock, and watch. It’s worth it.
Words: Jill Holloway
Pics: David Holloway
Copyright: Ocean Spirit
Marine Life & Conservation
Steve Backshall to headline Shark Trust’s flagship event: For the Love of Sharks
Join a host of amazing, shark loving, speakers including Steve Backshall and the Shark Trust team for an evening celebrating shark conservation at the Royal Geographical Society in London this November.
Date: 29th November 2024
Time: 6-10pm
Location: Royal Geographical Society, London
Tickets: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
The event will be a celebration of all things shark. Those lucky enough to get hold of tickets will hear from engaging guest speakers with a passion for sharks.
The line-up includes (*subject to change if unforeseen circumstances arise)
Steve Backshall: One of television’s busiest presenters, BAFTA award-winning wildlife expert Steve has been passionate about the wild world ever since he was young.
Steve’s impressive TV career has taken him all around the world, investigating a wide array of species and environments. Steve has filmed over 100 hours of children’s wildlife programmes with the BAFTA award winning Deadly 60 franchise and recently, with Sky Nature, for his new series ‘Whale with Steve Backshall’. He has been a patron for the Shark Trust for 10 years.
Simon Rogerson: is a photojournalist specialising in natural history, diving and the sea.
He is editor of SCUBA magazine, the official journal of the British Sub-Aqua Club. Simon started his career as a crime reporter but gravitated towards his ‘less depressing’ interest in underwater exploration, joining the staff of DIVE magazine in 1999. In 2005 he was named ‘Editor of the Year’ in the PPA’s Independent Publishing Awards. Simon also works as a freelance writer, contributing frequently to the Sunday Times and Telegraph, in addition to BBC Wildlife, Esquire, and a host of international diving magazines. He is the author of a book, Dive Red Sea, published by Ultimate Sports. Now based in Berkshire, Simon has been a Patron of the Shark Trust for 20 years.
More speakers to be announced soon. Head to the Shark Trust website to learn more.
The evening will also allow guests the final chance to see the Oceanic 31, shark art exhibition. Some of the artwork will be auctioned/raffled at the event, while the rest will be auctioned online to raise money for the Shark Trust Oceanic Programme.
For the Love of Sharks is an evening with something for everyone who is interested and fascinated by sharks. Join the Shark Trust, their Patrons, Trustees and Staff, along with a host of supporters for this celebration of shark conservation.
For more information or to buy a ticket: https://www.sharktrust.org/Event/flos24
Dive Worldwide has recently introduced Kenya to its portfolio of dive destinations, making it a new must-visit for divers. The company has chosen Temple Point Resort, located in Watamu, a small town on Kenya’s Indian Ocean Coast. The resort embodies the spirit of Kenya, with thatched roof buildings and bright white interiors, complemented with local art. The Creek Deluxe rooms enjoy a creek view and sunset vistas, whilst Boutique Garden rooms offer peace nestled in lush greenery.
An abundance of activities such as golf, stand up paddleboarding and kite surfing await those looking for action; while those in search of rejuvenation may partake in a range of yoga classes, or indulge in the spa. Spend evenings dining poolside dining or lazing in hammocks suspended over the creek; there is no detail missed at Temple Point.
The waters surrounding Temple Point Resort are bustling with life, however, there is also an opportunity to explore on dry land. Tsavo National Park is close enough for a day safari, allowing guests to double up on the wildlife experiences Kenya has to offer, from elephants to whale sharks.
Suggested Dive Itinerary: Dive and Discover Kenya
Embark on an adventure to one of Africa’s finest marine parks, Watamu, the first of its kind in the continent. Created in 1968, Watamu offers excellent diving and snorkelling for those of all experience levels. Lively coral reefs and the surrounding waters are home to over 1,000 species of fish, devil rays, mantas, whale sharks, dolphins and turtles.
DEAL: Stay 12 nights for the price of 10 at Temple Point Resort
Price: Dive and Discover Kenya now costs £2295pp, saving £150 per person. Including international flights from the UK, 12 nights’ B&B (for the price of 10), transfers, 5 days, 10 dive pack, tanks and weights. Based on travel in September ONLY. https://www.diveworldwide.com/trip-ideas/dive-discover-kenya#details
For more information visit: diveworldwide.com or call 01962 302 087
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