BigSexysPlayground

This scuba diver was exploring the waters off Komodo Island in Indonesia. It was a night dive and the group was making their way along a sandy bottom, hoping to see stargazers, a bizarre predatory angler fish that lies in wait under the sand for a meal to swim above it. The waters here are inhabited by sharks, large fish and marine animals that are mysterious and intimidating. Out of the corner of his eye, the diver saw movement and a large mass swirling toward him. His imagination told him it could be anything at all in this dark, underwater world. It turned out to be a swarm of harmless catfish that were hunting along the sand. They had been attracted by his light and the advantage that it gave them on their hunt. As thousands of the fish gathered around the diver, he lost sight of the group and even the ocean bottom. He tried to slowly move left and right but the school of fish followed, seemingly reluctant to leave the light beam. Mesmerizing and fascinating, this school of fish followed the diver for a while before disappearing into the darkness.

Tarpon are incredible fish that grow up to 2 m (6 feet) in length and can weigh as much as 125kg, or 275 pounds. They are ferocious hunters, attacking their prey with great speed. They eat fish, insects, and crabs, swallowing their food whole. They are primarily nocturnal hunters, although they will eat during the day if the opportunity arises. Here, the gigantic tarpon can be seen erupting from the water as they are hand fed minnows. This scuba dive guide and tour operator has found a secluded area where the fish have learned to take snacks right from his hand. He is demonstrating this for some of his guests and giving them an unforgettable experience. You can hear the thrill and excitement of the guests as these giants lunge into the air to snatch the fish out of their hands. A very unique thing about tarpon is that they have a specialized swim bladder. This can also function as an accessory respiratory organ, allowing them to breathe air from the surface so that they can survive in water with very low oxygen saturation. They are also able to swim much faster than other fish in the same environment because of their increased oxygen uptake. This makes them formidable predators. They have voracious appetites, inhaling their food hole. Tarpon are a beautiful fish with large, shiny scales that shine like a mirror. This is TNT Dive Pros in Belize. They can be found on Facebook for those wishing to follow them on their adventures.

Spotted eagle rays are enormous and beautiful stingrays that are known for their intelligence and curiosity. Generally shy and reclusive, they will shy away from close contact with humans in most cases, but a scuba diver with a respectful and slow approach may find that they swim close enough to have a good look.

Buddy is a very happy puppy who is now living the good life in a loving forever home in Belize. A mixed breed, he is part chihuahua, part terrier, part dachshund and possibly some other parts. His home is Belize, and the mixed breed dogs that run around on this island are referred to as "potcakes". The name comes from the old tradition of leaving pots outside by the back door after food had been badly burned and had become stuck on the pot. Far easier than washing them, the pots would be scraped clean by the hungry little stray dogs that roamed the streets at night. The dogs were often such a mix of breeds that it was a wild guess what breeds the pups had come from. Buddy is a lucky little fellow who will be well cared for by his new family. Nito, known in the scuba diving world as "Big Sexy" has become very attached to the pup already and he has been teaching him some adorable tricks. Buddy loves approval and he will do anything that Big Sexy asks, just for a pat on the head and a kind word. But he is even more eager when there are treats involved. On this occasion, Buddy got a belly full of healthy treats for working so hard. Buddy's short legs make it difficult for him to keep his balance and he is adorably clumsy as dances and stretches upwards. Buddy is living on San Pedro Island and he is a favourite among the scuba diving staff at Chuck & Robbie's Dive Shop and also with the guests, as they slowly return to this scuba diving paradise. Buddy is always very eager to accompany Big Sexy to work, and to hang out on the pier and around the dive shop. Buddy is one of the happiest dogs on the planet and he has fit in perfectly with his family.

Nito is no ordinary man, and he's no ordinary scuba guide. He's loved by serious divers who come from all around the world to learn from him and to share his ocean paradise on the reefs of Ambergrise Caye in Belize. Known as "Big Sexy", those who have known him for years don't actually know his real name because the nickname is all he is called. He is a dive master with a local operation called Chuck & Robbies and he has made his living there for 20 years. It's a beautiful spot, made famous by pop singer Madonna when she sang La Isla Bonita, about the town of San Pedro. When Covid 19 gripped the world and stopped tourism abruptly, it affected the dive community on this little island drastically. Suddenly, income was scarce and everyone was struggling to put food on the table for their families. Big Sexy was determined to look after his family so he started a tamale business. He, and his wife, along with other family members have been working long hours into the evening, preparing banana leaves and corn dough. They wake up early and start cooking chicken and vegetables and they whip up hundreds of their delicious chicken tamales. Tamales are popular lunch or dinner foods around the Caribbean and most people who travel have tried one at some time. But most of us don't know what goes into them or how they are made. They are a fascinating dish, wrapped in banana leaves and sometimes also in tinfoil. They are full of flavour and textures that are very different than the food we eat in North America. Big Sexy has recorded the entire process and created a tamale documentary that shows the care and effort that goes into his tamales. When on holiday, we are likely to be offered a tamale by a local family run business like Big Sexy's, and the price is likely to be more than reasonable. Knowing how much time goes into their production, we can easily see the value and the adventure in having one of these delicious treats. Maybe even two! Big Sexy is an inspiration to all who know him. His dedication and professionalism, along with his love for the ocean keep people coming back to Chuck & Robbies Scuba Diving Operation. It is equally inspiring how he has met the challenges of Covid like a true champion. And his family are all champions too.

Iguanas are seemingly everywhere on the Island of Ambergrise Caye in Belize. These little fellows bask in the sun during the day when they are not hunting for food. They will eat insects, small crabs, many types of plant, and even scraps of food that are dropped by the residents and tourists here.

Nito is a man with a big heart who lives in San Pedro, on the island of Ambergrise Caye, in Belize. He has been a scuba dive master for the past 15 years, leading people on adventures in the ocean and showing them his "playground", as he calls it. A natural teacher with enthusiasm and charisma, he is known all over the world for being among the best in the business. He has the nickname "Big Sexy" and few of his friends would even recognize him by any other name. Aside from loving the reefs and the animals in the ocean, Big Sexy also loves the other creatures that inhabit this island paradise. While walking to work one day, several years ago, he came upon a small iguana that had been caught by two feral cats. The cats had injured the iguana badly and he had a wound on his hind end. The little iguana was also exhausted and terrified. Big Sexy picked up the iguana and took him to the dive shop where he was working. He cleaned the wounds and gave the iguana a quiet spot to heal and be safe from predators. Big Sexy fed the iguana greens, peppers, fruit, and also some meat. He and the other dive shop employees were amused by the lizard and how well he responded to the help he was getting. They named him Pedro and they began letting him run free around the dock and the beach outside the dive shop. Pedro still enjoys food that he is given each day even after his release and he continues to watch for Big Sexy in the mornings. Incredibly, Pedro seems to be able to recognize him and he follows him up the dock towards the dive shop. He waits and watches from a distance. He does not want to be picked up anymore, but he will gladly eat or bask within a few feet of the people who look after him. Big Sexy has found that one of Pedro's favorite treats is "ceviche", a tangy mix of vegetables with lime juice and shrimp. Pedro munches happily on the ceviche while Big Sexy watches from a few feet away. After telling the story of the lizard to his Canadian friend, Big Sexy recorded the interaction so he could send a video that shows the happy little iguana doing so well. Pedro has grown well since he was injured and it is unlikely that even a full grown cat will tangle with him now. He is truly living the life at this little dive shop on the beach!

Belize is home to some of the most incredible wildlife on the planet. This marine sanctuary off the coast of Ambergrise Caye near San Pedro is a perfect example of the diverse marine animals that the area offers. Between dives, these scuba enthusiasts pulled up on the seagrass bed in a location called "Shark Ray Alley" and jumped into the water with dozens of hungry, yet gentle creatures. Sharks in general pose very little threat to humans who are acting responsibly, but nurse sharks in particular are completely harmless and docile. Scavengers, they prey on injured fish and eat scraps or dead animals. They aren't designed to attack healthy animals. The sharks here are encouraged with scraps of fish that the fishermen toss in the water, or place in perforated tubes to bring the sharks near. The result is an educational experience that demonstrates to swimmers exactly how safe they are in the water among the sharks. Sharks have been long villainized as blood thirsty killing machines that terrorize the oceans. Stingrays have the same reputation among the ill informed. But this is far from the truth, in both cases. Sharks and stingrays are intelligent and curious and they do not recognize humans as food. They have no reason to attack or injure a human unless they are acting defensively. These swimmers enjoyed the interaction immensely while learning about sharks and stingrays and about their behaviour. They were also thrilled to capture some very close up video and photographs in stunning detail and colour.

Stingrays are among the most misunderstood animals in the ocean. After the tragic death of the beloved Steve Irwin, people have imagined them as vicious and dangerous creatures that would kill a human if they had a chance. The truth is that Steve's death was a rare situation and an unfortunate one, but it was not the intent of the stingray to harm him. Stingrays have one predator; large sharks. Sharks attack the stingrays from above and behind, often pinning them to bite them. The stingray will reflexively strike with its barb if it believes that it is being attacked in this manner by a shark. But they do not prey on humans and they have no reason to harm one unless they are feeling threatened. With a cautious approach and a respectful distance, it is perfectly safe to swim in the same waters as stingrays.

Imagine being able to swim in crystal clear water "infested" with sharks and stingrays that greet swimmers like old friends. Perfectly safe, these swimmers experienced an up close encounter with some of the moist feared animals in the ocean. But the reality is that the sharks and stingrays are no threat to humans, and this wonderful encounter demonstrates this very well. Nito, known in the scuba diving world as "Big Sexy" is world renowned for his diving skill and his serious approach to a sport that requires training, careful planning, and attention to detail. He takes great pride in guaranteeing his clients safety while under his care. But he also has a fun-loving side that makes diving with him an experience that will not be forgotten. Big Sexy has a love for the ocean, the reefs, and all of the animals that live there. He strives to educate his guests and to provide them with encounters that educate and that foster a similar love for the animals. The first step in making people comfortable is make sure that they are relaxed unafraid. When this beautiful day of scuba diving was finished, Big Sexy treated his guests to a bonus swim at a place that the locals call "Shark/Ray Alley". It is here in this marine sanctuary that the animals are protected and safe, yet free to come and go as they please. The animals have learned that humans here pose no threat and they have developed a trust and curiosity that brings them up close for face to face encounters. The water is not deep and the clients were able to leave their scuba gear in the boat. Big Sexy hopped into the water with his delighted group to swim among these predators. While very few sharks are an actual danger to humans unless threatened, these nurse sharks are particularly docile and gentle. They are scavengers who eat injured or dead fish, playing an essential role in keeping the reef clean and healthy. They are still wild animals and they must be treated with respect, but the sharks have no desire to bite people, even when they are close enough to do so. The stingrays are an equally misunderstood animal, having an undeserved reputation as savage killers. The tragic death of the beloved Steve Irwin cemented this fear for many people. But stingrays are curious and docile creatures with no desire to harm humans either. Their main predators are sharks that attack from behind and above. The stingray will reflexively stab at something that surprises them with contact in this way, but they will never attack people who don't try to handle them improperly. This video actually shows one of the swimmers being met by a stingray that swims straight into his arms and makes no move to escape when it is lifted gently. The curious stingray initiated the contact on its own terms and the swimmer is obviously thrilled. Big Sexy has been introducing new scuba divers to the ocean, and accompanying seasoned scuba veterans for more than two decades. He was taught to dive by his father who grew up on the island of Ambergrise Caye in the town of San Pedro. This truly is "La ISla Bonita" and it is easy to see why Big Sexy loves it so much. Belize is one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Big Sexy can be found at Chuck & Robbie's Dive Instruction right on the beach and he is always waiting to take another group out to experience his "playground".

Belize is home to some of the most beautiful coral and most incredible marine animals on the planet. It is one of the world's tops dive destinations. And it is here that Loggerhead sea turtles come for breeding in the spring. These enormous animals can top out at over 440kg (1,000 lbs) and their shell can be large enough to completely fill the interior passenger area of a small car. Scuba divers occasionally see these massive turtles as they scour the reef for conch shells that they crush in their powerful jaws to access the meat inside. They are also on the lookout for female turtles. During breeding seasons, they are likely to approach scuba divers rapidly to look them over and determine whether they could be competition or a potential mate.

Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most diverse and fascinating creatures on the planet. Once called "Hell on earth" due to its harsh weather and unforgiving terrain, it is home to an abundance of animals that have adapted to life in this hostile environment. The sea lions are a perfect example of creatures who thrive here. They inhabit almost every beach and rocky shore in this beautiful world. Living in colonies of several dozen females and a large, bull male, the female sea lions spend their days relaxing on the beach and feeding their young, then venturing into the ocean to hunt for food. They spend a few hours at sea, looking for octopus, fish, crabs, squid, and eels. They return to the beach with a full belly and sleep while their babies nurse contentedly. This mother sea lion has just returned from her morning excursion and her baby greeted her excitedly at the water's edge. She flopped down on the sand and he has done the same. When she gets comfortable, he will start nursing until his belly is also full. But first, he has noticed the small camera sitting on the sand near the tide pool where he has been playing with the other sea lion babies. He is too curious to resist closely investigating this interesting and strange object. Even his young sea lion buddy becomes curious when he sees the fun and he comes over to have a look and a sniff too. Sea lions are abundant on the beaches here and the tourists take great delight in their antics. They are much like dogs, our furry companions, in both their appearances and their personalities that people are drawn to them to watch them and to photograph them. As tempting as it is to pick up a cuddly little sea lion, it would mean certain death for the youngster, as sea lion mothers reject their young if they smell like a human. Occasionally, sea lion mothers are killed by predators such as large sharks out in the open ocean. When they fail to return, the babies wander the beach crying pitifully. It is one of the saddest sounds in nature and the baby will starve without its mother. Sea lions will not adopt the young of another sea lion. When a sea lion cries at the shore and is then reunited with its mother, it is one of the happiest moments imaginable.

Scuba diving opens a door to a world of beautiful colours and sights. The marine life is indescribably gorgeous and fascinating. This scuba diver was exploring a very popular dive site in Belize, known as Hol Chan. Literally translated, this means small channel. The reef is split in this area, allowing the current, as well as the marine animals to come and go from the open ocean into the sheltered area on the inside of the coral reef. Depending on the tide, the flow of the current here goes both out and in. It is a strong current and scuba divers find that this can be a challenging swim. But the abundance of marine life make it a worthwhile effort. These fish are yellow striped grunts. They are a common fish here and they school in large numbers, often referred to as a "bait ball" or "bait fish ball". To swim slowly through them as they part and move calmly away creates a beautiful effect. As beautiful as they are, these fish actually have another purpose on the reef. They provide a steady supply of food for eels, octopus, large fish, and even sharks. This is part of the reason that they school so closely together. Their stripes and patterns create a confusing mass of fish, making it difficult for a predator to single out one for an attack. Using the bait ball as protection, they constantly move in and around the other fish. Schooling fish like these are an important part of the delicate balance here on the reef.

Buddy is an adorable little puppy who has just found his forever home with a family in Belize. He's a mix of wiener dog, chihuahua and several other small breeds. He belongs to Nito, a scuba dive master who lives on the island of Amergrise Caye in a town called San Pedro. This island is one of the most beautiful places on earth and it captured the heart of pop legend, Madonna when she visited and sang about her experience in her hit song "La Isla Bonita" (The Beautiful Island). Buddy is living the good life on this beautiful island and he is well loved by his humans. He is pampered like all dogs should be. Buddy has taken a few moments to rest, after a day of playing. But he decided to have a game of "chase-your-own-tail", that age old game that delights people all over the world.

Nito is a seasoned veteran when it comes to scuba diving. He lives on the island Amerbergris Caye, in the town of San Pedro, Belize. This is the island that was made famous by Madonna, singing La Isla Bonita. Nito was taught to scuba dive by his father when he was a young boy and after years of experience, he is as comfortable in the water as he is on land. Nito works at Chuck & Robbie's Scuba Diving and Instruction, with a shop that is located right on the water. Guests come from all over the world for some of the best diving possible. Another reason they come here is Nito himself, who is known in the scuba world as "Big Sexy". He instructs and leads with a serious approach to the sport, but also with a charisma and fun-loving side that is unmatched. A typical day for Big Sexy involves a short walk along the sand and out onto the pier. He checks equipment, gets the boats ready, and then helps clients prepare for their adventure. He has a true love for the ocean, the coral, and all the animals who live and thrive here. And that love is undeniably mutual. Big Sexy has an uncanny way with the animals and they welcome him in their world like he is one of their own. His cautious and respectful approach seems to win them over and gain their trust, but occasionally, the animals come looking for him, and some of this has been caught on camera. Big Sexy has slipped beneath the waves tens of thousands of times and every dive has been different. To dive alongside him is a privilege. In a truly magical encounter, a playful dolphin swam straight for him and performed repeated somersaults, seemingly inviting him to do the same. It swam back and forth within just a few feet of him as it dared him to join in the fun. Big Sexy has also demonstrated a fondness for moray eels and he proves that they are not the fearsome beasts that Hollywood movies would have us believe. He met two of them face to face at one of his favourite dive sites as they curiously peer into his eyes only inches from his face. Big Sexy has seen countless turtles in his travels and he caught footage of two gigantic male loggerheads squaring off in a territorial display during breeding season. His videos take us out into the ocean in the darkness where he shows us an octopus on the hunt, and a squid curiously watching him and his guests as they prepare for their dive. Experience the inside of a feeding frenzy as Big Sexy's nurse shark friends gather around the boat for fish scraps. The large, but gentle beasts scramble for their share of the food within inches of the camera lens. Few people will ever see a manatee in the wild, but Big Sexy has met several on the reef, like the one that we see coming straight toward him and then making a quick flip and sudden retreat. He shows us a colourful sea horse drifting in the surf and clinging to a net under the pier. The underwater world is full of mystery, wonder, and beauty beyond description. The creatures here are strange and fascinating and there is no end to the diversity of life among the coral. Big Sexy shows us exactly why people fall in love with scuba and why a trip to Belize might be one of the best experiences imaginable.

The hawksbill sea turtle is undoubtedly the most beautiful of all the sea turtles. It's shell is ornate and colourful, with a mix of black, grey, and golden yellow coloring. The beauty of their shells nearly brought them to extinction as they were hunted to make hair brushes and other items. Conservation and changes in the law now protect this critically endangered turtle and the populations are slowly rebounding. These hawksbill turtles were very fascinated with this diver and his camera. They circled around and inspected him closely. Usually shy and reclusive, hawksbill sea turtles will often swim away from humans who venture near. This dive provided memories that will last a lifetime. To interact with endangered animals on their own terms, like this, is a beautiful experience. Belize is home to many wonderful and fascinating creatures. Each trip beneath the waves is a completely different experience. The beauty of the coral and the fish who live among them is difficult to describe adequately. But humans are wise to approach all animals with respect and caution. We are guests in this underwater domain and our actions can have a devastating effect if we are not careful.

Spotted eagle rays are a rare and spectacular sight for scuba divers. Their ornate markings and enormous wingspan make them a sight to behold. Powerful and graceful, they glide over the reef, seemingly effortlessly. They grow more than 3m across (10 feet) and can weigh as much as 230kg (500lbs). They have a long tail that is equipped with numerous venomous barbs. An injury from a stingray can be life-threatening, but these animals never attack humans. Any injuries documented have been the result of accidents or improper behaviour on the part of the person injured. Spotted eagle rays feed on fish, crustaceans, and conch, having the ability to crush a large shell in their powerful jaws to get to the meat inside. While scuba diving in Belize, this gigantic ray casually swam up behind and along side an unsuspecting diver who just happened to have the camera at the ready. Initially shocked to see this massive animal so close, the diver raised the camera to capture a beautiful video clip as the ray passed. The scuba diver followed along as the ray continued slowly over the coral and out to deeper water. Stingrays have thousands or receptors in their wings that enable them to detect very subtle electric impulses from prey buried in the sand beneath them. They can dig with their snouts or beat their wings to clear the sand to get at their prey beneath. Highly intelligent, the eagle ray exhibits a behaviour similar to human curiosity and they will often slow and circle swimmers to get a better look. Spotted eagle rays have been seen following humans and they will quickly catch on if the human lifts rocks or debris that exposes food beneath. The eagle ray will move in and eat what is disturbed and left unsheltered. The eagle ray is smart enough to repeat this behaviour, waiting patiently for each opportunity to feed. The eagle ray is a preferred food for large sharks. Their tail spines are designed to be used as a defense if the ray is attacked from behind or above by a predator. Due to predation and also bycatch from the fishing industry, the spotted eagle ray is declining in numbers and is now listed as near threatened. To lose such beautiful and gentle creatures would be an extreme tragedy.

Sharks are incredible creatures that hold our fascination and terrorize us at the same time. We can't help but be in awe and fear of their teeth, their jaw strength and their incredible power. As hunters, they are sleek and efficient. They are the top predators in a world where we are clumsy and vulnerable and even entering the ocean strikes fear in the hearts of many. For most, Hollywood movies such as "Jaws" have contributed to our anxiety and sharks have been the cold-blooded villains of many stories. The truth is far from what we have been taught and more information is available than ever before. Only a few species of shark would consider a human as food and most species have never attacked a human who did not act improperly in the first place. Nurse sharks such as these as the perfect example. They are large and powerful, growing to 3.5m (11 feet) in length or more, but they are scavengers, as many sharks are. They prey on the injured, the sick, and also eat dead fish. The nurse shark has a mouth that is not designed to be capable of seizing a limb or severely injuring a person. They are so docile that swimming among them is a frequent and enjoyable experience for seasoned scuba divers. This is a feeding frenzy that was set up for educational purposes in a somewhat controlled environment. The sharks here are wild, but the protected area is part of a marine park in Belize. The sharks have become accustomed to being treated well by humans and they have fear and very little defensive behaviour. They swim among tourists and people on snorkel excursions, curiously approaching closely. An experienced guide has brought his guests to this area to allow them to see the feeding behaviour of the sharks as part of a learning experience about shark conservation. While attracting the sharks with a fish carcass, guests were able to float nearby to watch. But one guest from another tour unwittingly approached too closely. Oblivious to the large pack of sharks around him, he gripped the side of the boat to ask a few questions of the guides. He ended up right in the middle of a pack of jostling and hungry sharks. As they bumped each other and competed for the food, they also bumped the swimmer and pinned him against the boat. He was quickly instructed to swim outside of the feeding area. With nurse sharks, the swimmer was in much less danger than it appeared, but these are still wild animals with large teeth and an accidental injury was very possible. The swimmer was able to distance himself and enjoy the rest of the show without consequence. When observing animals close up, it is always advisable to keep a safe distance, especially when food is involved.

Crocodiles are not known for being cuddly or affectionate creatures, and yet this pair seems to be cuddling quite enthusiastically as they lie beside the river in Cuba. One has likely found a sunny spot to sunbathe and the other has decided to do the same. He has climbed up on top of the other and gotten very comfortable. It's anybody's guess what motivates them to do this, but Crocodiles are highly competitive for food and for territory. Although somewhat social, they don't seem to need togetherness like many other animals. This video gives us a close look at the formidable teeth and powerful jaws that make the crocodile such a ferocious predator. The clamping strength of their jaws allow them to easily crush the shell of a large turtle. The Cuban crocodile feeds on fish, turtles, and small mammals, often seeking prey that comes to the water to drink. Cuban crocodiles can grow to more than 3.5m (11 feet in length) and can weigh up to 215kg (475lbs). Their legs are longer than that of other reptiles in the crocodile family making them more terrestrial than the others. They are capable of higher running speeds than others. These crocs are thought to be the most intelligent crocodile species and capable of pack hunting behaviour. They are aggressive, even in captivity and they are known to show aggression towards their keepers. Despite this higher aggression, there is only one documented fatal attack on a human. It is believed that this is a result of these crocodiles infrequently having the same habitat range as people. Cuban crocodiles have been hunted to near extinction and they are now critically endangered. They typically lay 60-70 eggs at a time but many offspring do not survive to adulthood due to hunting, predation, illegal pet trade and also cannibalism. Crocodiles are known to eat juvenile crocodiles on occasion.

Sea cucumbers are one of the most bizarre looking animals in the underwater world. They are eyeless, faceless animals that are capable of moving only slowly across the ocean bottom. They filter the water or scrape surfaces to feed on algae and decaying plant material. They range in size from several cm long to more than 2m (6 feet). This one is approximately 45cm in length (1.5 feet). Responsible for keeping the water clean, they are beneficial to the overall health of the ocean. They also provide food for many animals, and even humans. This spiny sea cucumber has numerous "feet" that help propel it slowly along. Its mouth constantly works to push food in as it moves. Thousands of tiny suckers on its underside help keep the sea cucumber on the surface on which it is feeding. They also prevent the sea cucumber from being turned over easily. This allows it to stay protected, exposing only the tough, leathery skin on its back. This sea cucumber lives on a reef in Papua New Guinea. The waters here are home to an abundance of beautiful and unique animals. Crystal clear water makes this place a top ten destination for scuba divers. Rich in culture and history, Papua New Guinea is a wonderful place to explore, both above and below the waves.

Sea lions are amazing animals that inhabit almost every beach and rocky shore in the Galapagos Islands. They are entertaining, lovable, intelligent, and seemingly almost doglike in their appearance and their behaviour. They are particularly curious and inquisitive about their surroundings. Playful and fun-loving, they are a big hit with both the tourists and with the residents who live in the Galapagos Island. Mother sea lions belong to colonies with dozens of females and one large, male bull. They breed and produce young each year, taking very good care of their babies. They leave them on the beach, under the watchful eye of the rest of the sea lions while they go off into the waves in search of eels, octopus, fish and other food. They return with full bellies and collapse on the sand for a rest. It is at this time that the babies will nurse and fill their own bellies with mother's milk. Sea lions will not look after orphaned youngsters and if a mother does not return from hunting, the baby will starve to death. Some will be able to sneak milk from other mothers, but the struggle to survive in this way will be almost impossible. This adorable little sea lion is playing with another baby whose mother is nearby. They roll in the sand, scratch, waddle and frolic in the safety of the shallow tide pools. But he is hungry and thirsty and he cries out with worry, hoping to hear the call of his mother answering him. He hopes to receive some attention and a drink from his friend's mother, but she will not allow him to get close, despite his pitiful cries. He continues to cry out but his mother will not be back for a little while longer. Soon after this, his mother did return and she was calling to him before she even got out of the water. Occasionally, mother sea lions will become prey for large sharks. When they do not return, their babies will wander the beach crying with the most heart breaking sound imaginable. Over a few days, they will dehydrate and starve, becoming frail and weak. They will perish without their mothers in almost all cases. Sea lions will also abandon their babies if humans touch them. As tempting as it is to pick one up, it will mean certain death for the youngster. Fortunately, most baby sea lions who reach this age will grow big and strong. They will form their own colonies and they will thrive on their own beach in one of the most beautiful and fascinating places on earth.

Hawksbill sea turtles are critically endangered. They are a rare and beautiful sight for scuba divers and a joy to photograph or video. Their shells are ornate, making them among the most beautiful of all the sea turtles. This is why they have been hunted so vigorously, causing their populations to decline to a critically low number. But conservation efforts and more enforcement of hunting restrictions has caused their numbers to slowly recover over the past few decades. It is now illegal in most countries to hunt these beautiful turtles. It is also a serious offence to transport or import their shells. This alone has caused a great decline in the number that are killed for profit. This little Hawksbill was seen cruising over the coral reef. He spotted a scuba diver from far away and he swam straight for him as curious about the human hanging around on his reef. The scuba diver was taking a break and watching two octopus nearby. He saw his little turtle friend approaching and welcomed him with open arms. The turtle seems to be very unconcerned with the diver and he circles him before settling in behind him as if he also wanted to see what had captured the diver's attention. Sea turtles are not usually likely to approach humans. They will often swim away. Hawksbills in particular, are shy and reclusive. Having an animal approach so calmly while visiting their domain makes for a very memorable experience.

Iguanas are enormous lizards that can be found throughout the Caribbean and the Cayman Islands. They are impressive in size as well as colour, resembling dinosaurs more than any other creature today. This green iguana has found a perch in the mangroves along the coast of San Pedro Island. At more than 2.2m long (almost 7 feet), he is truly the king of the roost in this neighbourhood. Despite having powerful jaws and formidable teeth, the green iguana is vegetarian, living on leaves, fruit, berries, and flowers. They are territorial and will often find a perch high along a waterway and then defend the area from rival males. They are defending their food supply as well as their mating grounds and they can put on a very animated display of aggression with head bobbing and posturing to scare away other males. Fights for territory often result in serious injury or death for one of the combatants. Iguanas has monstrous claws and they will also whip their powerful tails to thrash an opponent, or even a human who gets too close for comfort. The reason this iguana is perched over the water is to allow it to drop into the ocean so it can swim to safety if it is threatened by predators. The iguana actually possesses an organ in its head that senses light. Technically, a third eye, it can detect when a predator is approaching from above in order to help the iguana recognize danger and escape before capture. A sensory device in its mouth, known as Jacobson's Organ helps the lizard sense food and even danger with its tongue. Iguanas are very complex and well developed in terms of sensory ability. Male iguanas are also surprisingly beautiful with their brightly coloured scales and skin flaps. Only the males have these features. The females are smaller, and they are grey or green in appearance.

Buddy is an adorable little puppy who has been brought home to his forever family. A mixed breed, he is part chihuahua, part terrier, part dachshund and possibly some others. His home is Belize, and the mixed breed dogs that run around on this island are referred to as "potcakes". The name comes from the old tradition of leaving pots outside by the back door after food had been badly burned and had become stuck on the pot. Far easier than washing them, the pots would be scraped clean by the hungry little stray dogs that roamed the streets at night. The dogs were often such a mix of breeds that it was a wild guess what breeds the pups had come from. Buddy is a lucky little fellow who will be well cared for by his new family. Nito, known in the scuba diving world as "Big Sexy" has become very attached to the pup already and he has just presented him with his first toy, a stuffed bull named "Rex". Buddy instantly takes a liking to Rex and begins to shake him and toss him around. This behaviour is very common among terriers and it seems that Buddy has the playful predator instinct already. Buddy's short legs make it difficult for him to keep his balance and he is adorably clumsy as he plays with the stuffed bull. Buddy is also very attached to Big Sexy and he cannot help but return and look for approval and attention after a few moments with his new friend. Buddy is living the good life on San Pedro Island and he will be a favourite among the scuba diving staff at Chuck & Robbie's Dive Shop and also with the guests, when they return to this paradise. Buddy looks like he would be very eager to accompany Big Sexy to work, as long as he can bring Rex along too.

Hawksbill sea turtles are possibly the most beautiful of all the sea turtles. Their shells are strikingly ornate, which is why they were hunted to near extinction not long ago. Their shells were sought for hairbrushes and ornaments, and their meat was being consumed at an unsustainable rate. The turtles were pushed to the edge of their ability to survive. Fortunately, a change in laws, as well as strong conservation efforts have seen the turtle populations starting to rebound. But seeing one in the wild is still considered a very lucky thing and scuba divers particularly enjoy these sightings. Hawksbills are usually shy and they will often swim away from people. But this turtle is surprisingly relaxed with Serena, a young scuba diver who has a certain way with animals. Even though Serena has been diving only a few years, her enthusiasm has more than made up for the shorter time that she has been involved in the sport. She has explored the reefs of Mexico, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Belize, and the Galapagos Islands several times. In this time, she has come to understand the animals very well, along with the need to approach them respectfully. He slow and careful approach will often allow her to gain the trust of the animals, which presents a better opportunity to see the creatures up close and to enjoy a safe interaction on their own terms.