Record Breaking Marine Animals

We all love the biggest and the best – here's seven of the oceans' record breakers

Overprotective mother

The Graneledone boreopacifica deep sea octopus recently set a new record for the longest brooding period. Researchers of the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute observed an individual protecting her eggs for an incredible 53 months. That is three times as long as any other brooding species on the planet. The previous record holder in this category is the giant red shrimp, which guards its eggs for 20 months.

Deep diver

The Cuvier’s beaked whale is the ocean’s deep diving champion. The cetacean currently holds the record for both the deepest and the longest dive. Scientists tracked one individual that held its breath for 137.5 minutes and reaching a depth of 2,992m  (1.9 miles).

Lonesome traveller

A Great white shark tracked by researchers completed a 20,000-kilometre (12,400-mile) return journey from Africa to Australia within nine months - the longest shark migration and the fastest return migration of any marine species.

Thick-skinned giant

The skin of whale sharks is up to 9 centimetres (3.5 inches) thick, the thickest skin of all animals.

Top speed predator

Sailfish are known as the fastest swimming fish. They have been clocked swimming at a speed of up to 110 kilometres (68 miles) an hour.

Deadly stinger

The box jellyfish, or sea wasp, is considered to be the most poisonous sea animal. Up to 15 3m-long tentacles grow from each corner of their cube like body. Stinging cells on the tentacles stun or kill their prey immediately and their venom is one of the most toxic in the animal world. The sting causes excruciating pain that can lead to shock and heart failure, human victims often drown before they reach the shore.

Wise survivor

A bowhead whale was analysed to be 211 years old, making it the longest living mammals on Earth. Bowhead whales have been found with tips of stone and ivory harpoons used roughly 200 years ago by whalers embedded in their blubber.