BigSexysPlayground

The octopus is one of the most intelligent of all the reef creatures. They are the smartest invertebrates on earth and they are highly skilled hunters. Preferring to come out of their lair under the cover of darkness, the octopus can swim by propelling jets of water through ventricles that it uses to push itself through the ocean. The octopus can slither, or crawl over any surface. It has thousands of suction cups that operate independently to grip surfaces and and also to seize prey which it draws into its mouth where a powerful and razor sharp beak awaits. Operating eight arms and thousands of suckers requires an impressive intellectual capacity. The octopus is also a master at disguise. It is able to change its colour, and even its texture, at will. This one appears as a milky colour to blend in with the sand around it. Within seconds, it can appear grey, black, or even brightly coloured. This ability can be used as camouflage or as a form of communication with other octopus. These scuba divers were thrilled to witness such a rare spectacle on a night dive in Belize.

These beautiful animals are Hawksbill Sea Turtles, one of the most critically endangered of all the sea turtles. Once hunted to near extinction, they were sought after for their beautiful shells to make hair brushes and similar ornaments. They were also hunted for meat and their eggs were taken as a source of food. But, conservation efforts and stricter laws have made hunting them much less common and the populations have started to recover. They still have a long way to go, but the turtles are being seen in greater numbers now than they were in the 1950s and 1960s. For this scuba diver, it was a wonderful experience to be approached by one of these beautiful and gentle animals as it looked over the reef for sea sponges to eat. But that delight turned to disbelief as he realized that there was a second turtle approaching as well. For more than ten minutes, he accompanied the two turtles as they glided graceful over the reef, seemingly enjoying the company of each other, an also, the company of their new human friend. An underwater experience such as this is simply magical. Meeting two Hawksbills at once made for a dive that this scuba enthusiast will not soon forget.

Belize is a beautiful country in the north of Central America with sunshine and sand, ocean and coral reefs, and an incredible assortment of wildlife. Quiet Islands with vast biodiversity add to the ecological importance of this small, but significant country. Among the many species of terrestrial animals that make their home here, birds are plentiful and varied. This little dove has found a sheltered area under the roof of an outdoor patio. The family that lives in this home is happy to share their space with this young mother. She built a nest, laid two eggs and cared for them like a devoted mother would. The eggs hatched and her little family has flourished. The cooing and squawking that can be heard as she feeds the fledglings are welcome sounds to Nito and his own family. They watch her come and go with delight. Nito decided to put a small camera on a pole so that he could check on the babies and get a little footage to show his kids. Carefully, he extended the camera up to the nest and recorded. A strange sight, the camera drew concerned stares from the babies. But all is well in the nest and the doves seem to be developing well. This mother dove could not have picked a better spot. Nito is an animal lover in the extreme and he and his family will look after this mother and her young as best they can.

Manatees are incredible and gentle creatures that are often referred to as "sea cows". Large and clumsy looking, they have the body of a walrus and a flattened tail that resembles that of a whale. Their faces are similar to a very plump sea lion, complete with the whiskers. Slow moving and shy, they are often seen basking in the shallows in the mangroves, feeding on vegetation that grows and floats in the water. They are an extremely vulnerable creature because they swim near the surface, requiring air to breath. They cannot move quickly enough to get out of the way of boats, and many bear the scars of propellers and collisions with the hulls of ships. Many do not survive these strikes and their populations are dwindling. Manatee can very occasionally be found cruising over the reef as they make their way from one feeding ground to another, or as they look for breeding grounds. This lucky swimmer in Belize chanced upon a large manatee coming straight toward him. Nito, known in the scuba diving world as "Big Sexy" is a world renowned scuba dive master and tour guide who works at Chuck & Robbie's Scuba Instruction on San Pedro Island, Belize. Between dives or after a full day of exploring the depths, Big Sexy takes his guests for a snorkel tour, looking for sharks, stingrays, and other creatures of the ocean. He is famous for his way with animals as well, and unusual encounters are not so unusual when you are one of his swims. It's no surprise that if anyone was going to have a manatee swim straight up to them, it would be Big Sexy. The gentle giant was slow to notice the human in front of him and he casually looked around as he swam almost face to face with Big Sexy. At the last second, he rolled gracefully and turned around to put some distance between them. Very few people have ever seen a manatee in the water, and even fewer have met one so close up. An experience like this one is something that will not be forgotten.

Barracuda are enormous fish that grow to 2m long (6 feet). They have powerful jaws and gigantic teeth that are as large as those of a German Shepherd dog. Their teeth are much sharper than a dog's and there are a lot more of them in the barracuda's formidable jaws. Designed to slice a fish in half, the clamping pressure of their jaws is incredible. Although they are terrifying in appearance, they are seldom aggressive, with the rare attacks on humans being almost exclusively improper behaviour on the part of the people, or mistaken identity. Barracuda are attracted to shiny objects that resemble fish scales and occasional isolated bites have been recorded in cases where it is believed that the barracuda mistook an object, such as jewelry, for food. Barracuda are also capable of impressive speeds. Torpedo shaped and powerfully muscled, they can accelerate in just a few tail strokes to ambush fish. Barracuda are a fascinating sight for seasoned divers who know that they pose no danger. A slow and cautious approach will often allow a diver a close look at the teeth that cause so much fear. This barracuda slowly swims off, flashing his teeth in a behaviour that is likely an assertion of his dominance over his territory. Wisely, the diver respects the distance.

Spotted eagle rays are a rare sight for scuba divers. When this diver came across a gigantic male cruising along the reef majestically, he was in complete awe. The eagle ray is capable of impressive speeds, especially when they grow this large. Swift and agile, they are designed to evade large predators like sharks. This stingray was slowly cruising along, just relaxing and possibly keeping an eye out for conch shells, their preferred food. The diver met the eagle ray slowly and cruised along with him. The stingray flapped its large wings gracefully, unconcerned with the presence of the human. Stingrays are highly intelligent and can be curious about a diver who approaches them respectfully, or who allows the stingray to approach them. They are equipped with large venomous barbs that can severely wound, or even kill a human, but they will never attack a person unless they are threatened. Surprising a stingray from above and behind might give them the impression that they are under attack by a shark. A careful approach from the side is very unlikely to concern a stingray. These beautiful animals can occasionally be found throughout the Caribbean, in places like Mexico and Belize. To see one this large up close is an unforgettable experience.

These swimmers in Belize were treated to an incredibly close encounter with wild sharks and stingrays. This is an are where the animals congregate to feed and breed. The are is a huge marine park that is protected. Although the animals are free to come and go as they please, they can come to no harm here.

Clown fish are the best known members of a larger group of fish that are referred to as anemone fish. They have a unique adaptation that allows them to take shelter where other fish cannot go. Anemones give of a powerful sting that packs enough venom to kill most fish. In fact, that's how the anemone captures its prey. They inject venom into any animal that comes in contact with them. This paralyzes or kills the victim so that they can be drawn in and consumed by the anemones. Unlike other fish, clown fish may have a mucous coating that is sugar based, rather than the typical protein based mucous. This may make it difficult for the anemone to recognize the clown fish as potential food. It is also possible that the clown fish has simply developed an immunity to the stings. This is a symbiotic relationship. The clown fish aerates the anemone with its constant movement. It also preys on parasites and small fish that would eat the anemone. The clown fish eats the dead tentacles and keeps the anemone healthy. The anemone receives the benefit of being able to eat the feces of the clown fish as well. In return, the clown fish has a perfect place to hide safely from predators. The clown fish will also feed on the scraps of food from the anemone's meals. Clown fish are loyal to an anemone, protecting their host for most of their life.

Hawksbill sea turtles are critically endangered, having been hunted to near extinction in the last two centuries. Their strikingly beautiful shells were sought after for hairbrushes, ornaments, and furniture accents. Also part of the meat trade for many years, their numbers declined rapidly. Fortunately, conservation efforts and stricter laws have removed much of the incentive to hunt them and their numbers have started to increase. For scuba divers, a chance encounter with such a beautiful animal is a memorable thing. This turtle is a large male who is very relaxed about being accompanied by a scuba diver with a camera. The turtle glides along, seemingly effortlessly over the sand and coral, searching for food. Their main diet is a specific type of sea sponge. Although they appear to be bulky and clumsy, they are surprisingly graceful as they swim through the water. Able to propel themselves quickly with a few strokes of their flippers, they are also very agile when they need to be. Swimming with a beautiful sea turtle is a very relaxing way to spend time under water.

The fish that live ion the corals in the ocean come in all sizes, shapes and colours. They also come with very different personalities too. Some are friendly and curious, and likely to approach a swimmer for a close look. Some are shy and will quickly swim away from anything larger than themselves. And some are as brave as lions and will try to put the run on anything or anybody who gets into their territory. This Sgt. Major is one of those fish. Equipped with a set of surprisingly sharp teeth, and the attitude of a great white shark, he defends an area of the coral that he has claimed for his own. Serena has swum down for a close look and she is surprised by the unfriendly greeting. He repeatedly pecks at her head and eyes, delivering harmless, but painful nips in the process. These fish are known for the grumpy attitudes and unfriendly nature. They will chase off anything in an effort to defend their turf. You have to admire the courage, even if you don't agree with this little fish's approach.

Spotted eagle rays are among the most beautiful of all the stingrays. They are graceful and majestic, gliding seemingly effortlessly through the water as they flap their large wings for propulsion. Although they are usually seen alone, or in pairs, eagle rays are social animals and will occasionally congregate in groups of a few dozen or more.

Scuba divers enter the water never knowing what will be waiting for them on the reef below. They roll out of the boat and descend into a world of beauty beyond description. It is also a world of mystery and wonder. Ocean creatures cruise over the coral in search of food, constantly moving, and every dive brings different sights and different experiences. These divers have met up with a Hawksbill sea turtle. It is a rare sight. In fact, it is a critically endangered animal that many divers will never see close up. Usually shy and reclusive, they typically avoid close contact with humans.

Stingrays are fearsome looking creatures that cause panic and terror for those who do not understand them. The famous and tragic incident that caused the death of the beloved conservationist, Steve Irwin, has only amplified the anxiety surrounding these animals. But the truth is that they are gentle and highly intelligent creatures. The reason that people fear stingrays is that they possess a sharp and toxic barb in their tails that can cause severe injury to a human. But stingrays are not aggressive and a human is not food for a stingray, so documented attacks on humans are almost zero. The stingray has one major predator, large sharks, which attack from above and behind. The stingray instinctively lashes out with its tail if it perceives that it is under attack in this manner. In all cases of injuries to humans, the stingray was acting defensively due to improper behaviour by people, or mistaken identity. Stingrays often glide over shallow coral and rocks, as in this video, looking for crustaceans and mollusks in the sand. They have sensors in their wings that allow them to detect minuscule electrical impulses from animals burrowed into the ocean floor. They beat their wings to uncover the creatures and inhale them to be consumed. Because they may be found hunting, or even resting in shallow areas, humans can inadvertently step on them, resulting in a defensive strike. But stingrays usually see people coming and move away. Shy and reclusive, they will avoid humans, or remain still if they are camouflaged under sand. People who are concerned about stepping on a stingray can walk slowly and use a shuffle approach in order to avoid surprising one. To see one swimming should be considered a treat, and perfectly safe, as long as a respectful distance is kept. Watching one glide gracefully through the water is a beautiful sight!

Scuba diving is a thrilling adventure every time you enter the water. You will see a different world every time you venture beneath the waves. The animals here are unique and fascinating. They can be both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Sharks are a perfect example of beauty and danger combined, although they are not the terrible killing machines that Hollywood has taught us to believe. Sharks play a vital role in the health of the oceans and the delicate ecosystems. They are largely scavengers, preying on the weak and the dying. They seldom attack people and in most cases, the attacks were mistaken identity or the result of poor choices on the part of the human. These sharks have come to check out some divers on Lighthouse reef, near the Great Blue Hole in Belize. They venture close, giving an intimidating look into their eyes and at their menacing teeth, but they don't consider the humans a source of food and they are in no danger. Sharks are sleek and graceful, able to turn or move with lightning speed. In comparison, humans are slow and clumsy in this underwater world. Scuba divers are wise to remember that they are guests here and that they must do their best to obey basic safety rules so that the animal life does not feel threatened. Improper behaviour in this domain will often have disastrous consequences. Sharks are a wonderful sight to see on any dive and a scuba diver considers themselves very lucky to have such a close up encounter with these magnificent beasts.

Sea horses are one of the most fascinating animals in the ocean. Check them out here!

Schooling bannerfish are spectacularly beautiful with their long, flowing dorsal fins and vivid stripes. These pairs of bannerfish were found at a depth of almost 100 feet (33m), exploring the coral reef, looking for food. They are a delight for scuba divers with their beautiful appearance and curious nature. They often allow scuba divers to approach close enough to capture excellent photos and videos.

Puffer fish come in many shapes and sizes. Some, as in this case, are tiny little creatures that are no bigger than a quarter.

Hawksbill sea turtles are critically endangered animals that have been hunted to near extinction. Their strikingly beautiful shells were sought after for hairbrushes, ornaments, and furniture accents. Also part of the meat trade for many years, their numbers declined rapidly. Thankfully, they have started to bounce back due to laws that make hunting them illegal. Conservation efforts have further helped bring them back from the edge of disappearing forever. Scuba divers consider a hawksbill sighting to be a rare and memorable treat. They gracefully glide over the coral in search of food and they will occasionally allow a careful scuba diver to make a respectful approach. They are shy and reclusive, in most cases, and such encounters are generally brief. But this scuba diver has very slowly and quietly moved close to a gorgeous turtle who is munching away on coral and sea sponges on the reef in Belize. Scuba divers who truly want to get a close up look at animals in their habitat understand that patience will reward them with experiences like this one. The sea turtle accepted the diver's presence and continued to eat and ignore the diver while doing so. Even a large angelfish joined i, eating the scraps that floated free from the turtle's meal. The diver has positioned himself to the side, and below, avoiding the overhead approach that might suggest that he is a predator. He carefully keeps his breathing slow and regular, and he moves slowly and not directly toward the turtle. These small things are very important as animals depend on interpreting small cues for their survival. Being able to interact with and watch such a beautiful creature as this hawksbill sea turtle is what drives people to strap on tanks of air and venture far beneath the surface of the ocean. The beauty beneath the waves is indescribable.

Swimming through a large school of beautifully coloured fish is a very fun experience. Check it out!

Scarface is a sea turtle with a lot of character. Injured badly at a young age, he lost one eye and still has the scars that gave him his name. But he does well for a turtle with only half the usual vision, partly because local fishermen in the area have taken a liking to him. Scarface comes and goes freely, but he makes a daily appearance in this protected marine park off the coast of San Pedro Island. Fishermen bring their catch here to clean it before going back to shore and heading to the market. They bring conch shells here and discard the old shells on the ocean floor. The meat is dropped into a cooler for their sales, but some of it never reaches the market. Instead, it goes to this hungry turtle. Scarface finds their boat and flaps around at the side with his gaping jaws wide open. He looks more like a hungry baby bird than a wild sea turtle as he opens his beak and demands food. Laughing and talking to him like an old friend, the fishermen use tongs to give him some of their catch. These swimmers were brought to this area between dives by their dive master, Nito, known as Big Sexy. They had been following the sharks, rays and other creatures around the marine park when they caught on to this incredible sight. Completely entertained, they filmed Scarface and the fishermen. Big Sexy explained that Scarface was a juvenile turtle and that the fishermen had taken pity on him due to his injuries. They saw him as a comical and endearing character and they explained that he would eat their entire catch if they allowed him to. Scarface is a famous turtle who has made an appearance in many tourist videos. He's a very popular turtle among the tourists and locals alike.

Swimmers in Belize were invited to see what a shark feeding frenzy looked like from the inside. In an area where the sharks are protected and fed as part of conservation and education efforts, these ten foot animals were given fish scraps. With the camera right up close to the action, spectators actually found themselves surrounded by huge sharks, bumping and pushing each other for their share. Nurse sharks are docile sharks that never attack humans. Bites are extremely rare, and always a case of human error. Their mouths are designed differently than most sharks, and they are not capable of inflicting the same damage with a bite that a reef or bull shark of the same size could. Despite this, swimmers were carefully instructed to keep hands pulled in and to avoid the mouths of the sharks. Sharks have an undeserved reputation as cold blooded killers. The truth is that they are more likely to feed on dead or dying animals. In this way, they do a lot of good for the overall health of the reef and the delicate ecosystems of oceans worldwide. To lose any species of shark would have disastrous consequences for all who live on our planet.

Nurse sharks are like the puppy dogs of the ocean. Check it out as this one swims right up to a scuba diver for some TLC. Priceless!

Scarface is a loggerhead sea turtle with a lovable character. He is well known throughout the world by visitors who are fortunate enough to meet him in the waters around San Pedro, Belize. Loggerheads are an endangered species. It's a treat for guests who come here to meet one close up and Scarface is a predictable sight at this popular snorkel and scuba diving location. The locals named him Scarface due to the injury on his face and eye that has rendered him partially blind. But despite his setbacks, Scarface thrives here. He is a juvenile and still a long way from the maximum size of almost 1,000lbs that these turtles attain. He inhabits a protected marine park where the animals cannot be hunted or harassed, but he is free to swim in and out as he pleases. There are no barriers here to keep the animals in or out. Guests come here to meet friendly stingrays and sharks, as well as the occasional sea turtle, like Scarface. He has a voracious appetite and he approaches everybody with curiosity. He will occasionally nibble at tourists or their belongings in an attempt to eat whatever he can. In this video, he is curious about the swimmer's GoPro camera and he tries to get his beak on it, giving a momentary view of the inside of his mouth. Scarface has been delighting tourists and residents for a few years. Fishermen come here to clean their catch and they will usually have a few scraps for this wonderful turtle.

Stingrays have a reputation as being cold blooded killers, unpredictable and dangerous. Public perception turned extremely negative when the beloved Steve Irwin died in a tragic accident as he interacted with stingrays. It was a freak incident that involved a fatal puncture of his heart when he was filming in Australia. Irwin was a world famous environmentalist and conservationist with a flair for drama and entertainment and his death shocked the world. Stingrays have not been known to attack humans unless boxed in and threatened. Even those instances are incredibly rare and are actually defensive as opposed to aggressive. They are highly intelligent creatures with no desire to harm humans. These stingrays swim freely in a protected area on San Pedro Island in Belize. There is no enclosure and the rays are completely wild, but they are also accustomed to people here and they have been treated respectfully. This swimmer invites the stingrays to approach on their own terms and they are able to swim away if necessary. Prolonged or intentional approach from the rear or from above is avoided because this could be mistaken as predatory. In this way, the stingrays are not dangerous at all. They are actually affectionate and friendly and they seem to enjoy being rubbed and petted. Interaction with wild animals in their own habitat is a thrilling experience. Wild animals should always be approached respectfully and with caution and it should always be on their terms, not ours. Operations and tour agencies that encourage or allow animal harassment and exploitation should be avoided. Scuba diving and snorkel tours with operations like Chuck & Robbie's Dive Instruction will provide ethical and safe experiences, and memories that last a lifetime.

Reef sharks are scavengers and are not usually much of a real threat to scuba divers. They don't usually attack unless provoked or threatened. Even cases of mistaking people for food is extremely rare and it almost always involves improper behaviour on the part of the humans. In Belize, reef sharks have only recently begun to appear. Until recent years, nurse sharks were the only species that would be seen around the island of San Pedro. The arrival of a gang of hungry sharks was a surprise to these divers who were spearing lionfish, an invasive species that needs to be eradicated for the health of the reef. The lionfish were being carried out in a tube that was designed to store the fish in a manner that protected the divers from the dangerous stings. These sharks arrived, likely because they smelled blood from the injured fish. They circled and followed the diver who was towing the tube on a string. He went to the bottom with the tube and then inflated a small buoy that would take the tube and fish to the surface, away from the divers. The sharks had already shown enough interest in the tube that they bit at it and tried to get at the fish inside. One end of the tube opened and fish scraps fell out. One shark came up below the diver, indicating curiosity, but this can easily turn to aggression and the divers were wise to head to the surface. After finishing their safety stop, the divers left the water promptly and considered themselves very lucky to have gotten great footage without injury. Reef sharks are becoming more common in this area now as water temperatures and currents change. All animals in the ocean should be treated with caution and respect. Although sharks are not the dangerous killers that they are made out to be, they are not to approached without great care.