Page 87 - Demo

HAMMERHEADS
These ocean wanderers arrive in Cayman seasonally. Our team has been lucky enough to see quite a few recently. Our staff expert explains to the guests how to recognise the different species, tells the difference between male and females as well as explains their unique behaviour.
GAuDy CLOWN CRABS
Gaudy Clown Crabs are highly prized sightings for their beauty. These crabs are tiny (one inch max) so it takes an experienced eye to find them in their complex habitats. The artful patterns on their shells vary, making each sighting unique.
LOGGERHEAD TuRTLES
Turtles fascinate everyone, and the Cayman Islands has a heritage directly linked to these sauntering sensations. We are happy to claim that sightings are 50/50 on any of our reefs! There are in fact seven species of sea turtle worldwide, none more striking than the Loggerhead. sightings of these animals are on the rise and their imposing dimensions add a real wow factor for our divers.
LEOPARD FLAT WORMS
mysterious and elusive, often mistaken for a nudibranch (sea slug), leopard
flat worms make our top 10 list for their stunning appearance. They are predators themselves with few predators to watch out for. The males, with the largest and most spots, attract the greatest number of females.
SPONGE SPAWNING EvENTS
Few spawning events can rival the experience of witnessing the sponges douse the reef with ‘smoke’ or ‘snow’. different species time their spawning events at different times, so it’s possible to witness this in most months.
SPOTTED EAGLE RAyS
A common sight on Grand Cayman’s north Wall during summer months, spotted eagle rays offer a majesty
that never gets old. unlike their cousins (southern Atlantic stingrays) this species ‘flies’ continuously, never resting on the sea floor. Their pups can also be found
in the shallow waters along Cayman’s stunning seven mile Beach.
CHAIN MORAy
We have a number of moray eel species in Cayman; the Chain moray is perhaps the prettiest. These nocturnal predators rarely venture out of their hiding spots, but when they do, it’s to feast on crustaceans.
SEAHORSE
Incredibly hard to find and just as visually unique as they are elusive. males are actually the ones that give birth in these species.
BLACK CORAL
Black coral is extremely slow growing and some of the forests we have in Cayman are hundreds to thousands of years old. These animal colonies prefer darker areas, as such they are found along the edge of the wall, often in caverns or crevices. The corals appear iridescent, and, coupled with the striking topography formations they associate with, they are a must-see for visitors.
SNAPPING SHRIMP
One of the few underwater animals
you can audibly interact with. These shrimp defend their host anemone from potential predators by snapping their large claw. They do this so quickly that the pressure creates a bubble by turning the water into vapor. Temperature inside the bubble can reach 8500F, nearly as hot as the surface of the sun!
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Our tOp
10
underwater sightings
destination Cayman 2019 | 85
Turtles and stingrays are top 10 sightings