The beaches of Northwest Florida are a paradise for a variety of marine life. From flatworms to jellyfish, whale sharks to bottlenose dolphins, the Gulf of Mexico is home to an abundance of creatures that captivate the heart and mind. Flatworms are the most basic members of the worm family. They lack a full digestive system and must consume and expel waste through the same opening (the mouth).
Some species feed on small invertebrates that they capture and engulf without using teeth. There is one type that is quite large and can be seen on the gills of horseshoe crabs. Flatworms have a simple brain and perceive the world by detecting light, feeling, and smell. In 1980, it was estimated that there were around 3,000 species worldwide. Jellyfish often evoke a similar response in most people: “scream”, “run”, this is going to hurt.
A jellyfish sting is not pleasant and is something that most would prefer to avoid. However, jellyfish play an important role in the marine ecosystem by feeding on dead and decaying creatures, thus cleaning up the environment. The Gulf of Mexico is renowned for its productive fisheries, its oil and gas industry, and its resilient communities. It's also a marine ecosystem abundant in biology and full of life. Whale sharks roam its waters, bottlenose dolphins jump through its currents, and sea turtles nest on its beaches.
As one of the most productive places on Earth, the Gulf is home to fish, corals, whales, sea turtles, dolphins, and thousands of bird species. Beachgoers should be aware that sea turtles love the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico to nest and return to the same beaches year after year to spawn. Therefore, beachgoers should turn off or shield any lights that can be seen from the beach after 9 p.m. The signs at family-friendly Outrigger Beach Resort facing the Gulf discourage guests from feeding the countless seagulls, pelicans, and laundries that flock there. I've lived in the Panhandle all my life and spent much of it in the water, and I can count on both hands the number of times I've encountered a seahorse on the beach. However, with careful observation you may be able to spot some of these remarkable creatures in their natural habitat.
