Giant Pacific Octopus (Entreoctopus dofleini)
Where found: In cold oxygen-rich water at depth of up to 6,600 ft.
Cool fact: The record size of a giant Pacific octopus is 30 ft. across and weighing more than 600 pounds.
WOLF EEL (Anarrhichthys ocellatus)
Where found: Caves and rocky reefs in the north Pacific.
Cool fact: A male and female may pair for life, living together in the same cave for roughly 25 years.
WOLF EEL (Anarrhichthys ocellatus)
Where found: Caves and rocky reefs in the north Pacific.
Cool fact: A male and female may pair for life, living together in the same cave for roughly 25 years.
DUNGENESS CRAB (Cancer magister)
Where found: In sandy shores and eelgrass below the tidal mark.
Cool fact: Dungeness crab were named after a port in Dungeness, Washington.
CRIMSON ANEMONE (Cribrinopsis fernaldi)
Where found: Close to shore to a depth of 300 meters.
Cool fact: Different species of decapods, like shrimp and crabs, often find refuge in the anemone’s tentacles.
ORCA (ORCINUS ORCA)
Where found: Can be found in every ocean in the world.
Cool fact: Although commonly known as the killer whale, orcas aren’t actually whales, but are the largest species of dolphin.
PACIFIC HERRING (Clupea pallasii)
Where found: In the Pacific Ocean near North America and northeast Asia.
Cool fact: Pacific herring don’t die after spawning — they can breed again in ensuing years.
DOCK SHRIMP (Pandalus danae)
Where found: Shallow waters to 185 meters, and around docks.
Cool fact: One of the most commonly found shrimp in our area, fished commercially and for sport.
GEODUCK (Panopea generosa)
Where found: In the coastal waters of the Puget Sound
Cool fact: One of Earth’s longest-living organisms, usually living up to 140 years.
EELGRASS (Zostera marina)
Where found: In muddy and sandy shores just below the tide.
Cool fact: Helps form the habitat of many marine animals. When it dies, it detaches and drifts to shore, creating a whole new environment for other species.
GREAT BLUE HERON (Ardea herodias)
Where found: In wetlands in near the shores of open waters.
Cool fact: As the largest North American heron, its wingspan extends 167–201 centimeters.
PACIFIC BLOOD STAR (Henricia leviuscula)
Where found: The intertidal zone — above water at low tide and below water at high tide.
Cool fact: It took the seastar an average time of 15.22 minutes to correct the orientation of its body when taken out of an upright position, an action known as its “righting reflex.”
Read our other marine special feature here!
