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Step Inside the World of the Peculiar

And meet some of the seemingly supernatural creatures living in our ocean!

Meet the Lamprey!

A relic from Earth’s prehistoric past, the lamprey is a jawless fish belonging to the Petromyzontidae family, which has been around for over 360 million years.

Unlike most modern fish, lampreys lack scales, fins, and bones, relying instead on a flexible, cartilaginous skeleton.

These ancient survivors can be found in freshwater rivers and coastal seas, where they undergo dramatic life cycles, from burrowing larvae to parasitic or non-feeding adults, playing a crucial role in aquatic ecosystems.

Habitat


Lampreys are primarily found in coastal and fresh waters, including in the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

Food


Lampreys use their sharp rasping teeth to feed on the bodily fluids of other fish species, such as Atlantic salmon and lake trout.

Predators


Larger predatory fish like sturgeon prey on these creatures, as well as seals and sea lions, and some sea birds.

Special Skill


Baby lampreys (called ammocoetes) look more like worms than fish. They spend years buried in the mud, filter-feeding before transforming into their adult form.

Protect the Peculiar, Before Eerie Becomes Extinct

Just like every ocean creature—no matter how strange—has a role in keeping this interconnected ecosystem thriving, we all have a part to play in protecting it.

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Ocean Wise est basé sur le territoire traditionnel et non cédé des peuples Salish de la côte, y compris les territoires des nations xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) et Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh). Nous travaillons à travers l'île de la Tortue et au-delà, soutenant les peuples autochtones dans leur travail essentiel de conservation des océans et de la biodiversité chaque fois que cela est possible ou lorsque nous y sommes invités.

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