Common Stingray

Overview

Stingrays, the distant cousins to sharks, are known for their flat bodies, long tails and bird-like swimming pattern. Despite common belief, almost all rays are docile, and won't attack unless provoked. Some rays are known not to attack humans at all.

Habitat

Most stingrays prefer to stay close to the sandy ocean floor. These sneaky creatures are known for gliding across the tops of the oneanic dunes as they easily blend in with their surroundings.

Population

There are many species of stingray, so an approximate number is unknown. However, when it comes to what is threatening their population, studies show that bycatching and habitat loss is the leading contributor to their extinction; As aquatic construction projects disrupt the nursing process of these rays, causing their population to steadily decline.

Vaquita Porpoise

Overview

Vaquitas are small porpoises that look nearly identical to dolphins despite their stubbier appearance.

Vaquitas are shy, reserved creatures who like to steer clear of boats with active motors; making observation difficult.

Habitat

Vaquitas like to reside in any temperatures; as they are very resilient and adaptive to different climates. Despite this, They are mostly found in the norther regions of the Gulf of California in Mexico.

Population

Unfortunately, Vaquita Porpoises are one of the most endangered species recorded as of 2025. With only 20 vaquitas still living to this day. The main culprit to their endangerment is entrapment in illegal fishing nets, causing their gills to close up leading to asphyxiation.

Green Sea Turtle

Overview

The Green Sea Turtle is known for it's grace as it glides seamlessly through the ocean blue. Seeing them in the wild, albeit rare, is an enchanting experience.

These turtles are herbivores, and are known for consuming mostly algae and other plant matter for sustinance. Could this contribute to the green color on their shells?

Habitat

Green Sea Turtles can be found worldwide, and primarily prefer the subtropical, temperate regions of the Pacific, Mediterranean, and Atlantic oceans

Population and Threats

There are roughly 500,000 species of green sea turtle in the world as of 2025. Their current threats include direct harvesting of sea turtle eggs, crossfishing and plastic pollution.

Scalloped Hammerhead Shark

Overview

The Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is one of two species of endangered Hammerhead Shark. Weighing up to 350 pounds and spanning 1 feet in length; These sharks sound like they should be intimidating!

Unlike the others, these sharks can be found worldwide in all kinds of oceans! From the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Or the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea, you name it, it's there!

Habitat

Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks prefer warm, temperate climates. And they find this prefered climate in coastal and oceanic habitats. Plus, these sharks are highly mobile. So when they feel uncomfortable in their current climate, they're ready to venture out and find a new one!

Population

Unfortunately, there is no exact number as to how many of these sharks are alive, it's been found that thanks to overfishing and baywatch casualties, the population is dwindling at a moderate, yet concerning pace.

Black Abalone

Overview

Black Abalone are a species of sea snail that eat algae. What were once one of the most abundant species of mollusk, are now regarded as rare due to their small number in population.

Black Abalone are native to the waters of Baja California, Oregon, and Mexico.

Habitat

These mollusks are primarily found in bay areas dense with rocky zones. They use these rocks as homes, and are also known to stack atop one another under these heavy rocks.

Population

Black abalones, as mentioned previously, were once an abundant species but due to a disease known as withering syndrome, the population took a significant hit in 2008-2009.

Sunflower Sea Star

Overview

The Sunflower Sea Star is a species of Starfish native to Northeast Pacific Ocean from the Aleutian Islands, Alaska and northern Baja California, Mexico.

Sunflower Sea Stars are the largest species of Starfish, equipped with 16-24 limbs that each span to around a meter in length. Giving them their signature sun shape.

Habitat

These sea stars aren't picky when it comes to where they like to reside, as they can be found in all sorts of different environments. Areas like rocky zones, sandy dunes, kelp forests and mud flaps, these sea stars are ehre for it all.

Population

While there is no data to connect it's population size, Sunflower Sea Stars are known for being impacted by a viral outbreak called Sea Star Wasting Syndrome taking place from 2013 to 2017. This has lead to a steep decline in their population.