Put a bow on it: Elevate your gift-wrapping game with the ribbon worms
December 22, 2020 Blog post: This year, when you spend more time wrapping your holiday gifts than picking them out, think about a group of critters who have taken their gift-wrapping game to the next level: the ribbon worms.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/December-2020/Put-a-bow-on-it-Elevate-your-gift-wrapping-game-wi
Citizen scientists help Ecology monitor the environment
August 7, 2020 Blog post: Every day we work closely with fellow Washingtonians to monitor and study our shared environment. Here are just a few examples of how we partner with citizen scientists throughout the state.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/August-2020/Citizen-scientists-help-Ecology-monitor-the-enviro
Stuck at home? Get cozy like the tunicate amphipod
April 23, 2020 Blog post: Meet the tunicate amphipod, a critter that embraces the comforts of home like no other.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/April-2020/Stuck-at-home-Get-cozy-like-the-tunicate-amphipod
The seed shrimp are more than meets the eye
April 1, 2016 Blog post: This month we bring you an entire group of nifty little critters collectively known as the ostracods, or seed shrimp.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/April-2016/Eyes-Under-Puget-Sound-Critter-of-the-Month-The-Se
Things that go bump in the night: the sea spiders look a fright
October 26, 2017 Blog post: Sea spiders have segmented bodies, hard exoskeletons, and long, thin legs like land spiders, but they are not closely related.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/October-2017/Eyes-Under-Puget-Sound-Critter-of-the-Month-—The-S
This creeping pedal sea cucumber might just give you the creeps!
October 30, 2019 Blog post: Move over, bats and spiders! With its blood-red tentacles and scaly body, the creeping pedal sea cucumber might just be the next creature to haunt your Halloween nightmares.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/October-2019/This-creeping-pedal-sea-cucumber-might-just-give-y
It ain’t easy being green…unless you’re a kelp humpback shrimp
March 17, 2020 Blog post: Top o’ the morning to you! Take a lesson in wearing green from the kelp humpback shrimp, who woke up dressed and ready in its Irish best.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/March-2020/It-aint-easy-being-green-unless-youre-a-kelp
Moss animals: Animals in plant disguises!
March 28, 2019 Blog post: Bryozoans take on many different growth forms that provide habitat and shelter for juvenile fish and invertebrates. Some resemble fans or lace, while others appear more geometric.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/March-2019/Moss-animals-Animals-in-plant-disguises!
The arrow worms: Part worm, part fish, part…tiger?
July 22, 2020 Blog post: Let’s get “straight to the point”: the arrow worm is “right on target” to be named one of the strangest creatures roaming Puget Sound.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/July-2020/Arrow-Worms
The voucher sheet project
March 3, 2017 Blog post: A voucher sheet is a document that contains descriptions and photos of a species. We create these to identify the critters we monitor and to help other scientists doing similar work.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/March-2017/Eyes-Under-Puget-Sound-The-voucher-sheet-project
These worms are boring! ... into oyster shells, that is
September 27, 2021 Blog post: Shell-boring worms make their homes in mollusc shells. These parasites are sometimes called mud blister worms, because the burrows that they create inside the shells fill with mud and detritus.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/September-2021/These-worms-are-booooring-into-oyster-shells-that
What the shell? The tusk shells are in a class all their own
December 13, 2017 Blog post: Tusk shells belong to the Class Scaphopoda, meaning boat foot. In contrast to a real elephant's ivory tusk, a scaphopod's conical shell is open on both ends.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/December-2017/Eyes-Under-Puget-Sound-—-The-Tusk-Shells
The gaper clams live in the shadows of giants
July 27, 2021 Blog post: Nothing says “summer” like digging for clams in Puget Sound, but finding a gaper clam often brings disappointment. Geoduck hunters, don’t despair — the humble gaper is a treasure in its own right.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/July-2021/The-gaper-clam-lives-in-the-shadows-of-giants
The spiny pink scallop is ready for sweater weather
September 26, 2019 Blog post: This particular scallop is known for its bright color and the prominent spines that adorn the ribs running down its shell.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/September-2019/The-spiny-pink-scallop-Ready-for-sweater-weather
Going nuts over the peanut worms
January 18, 2018 Blog post: Peanut worms belong to the phylum Sipuncula, meaning "little tube or siphon." They can retract their bodies into a tubular trunk like a balled up pair of socks.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/January-2018/Eyes-Under-Puget-Sound-Critter-of-the-Month-—-The
Life’s a beach for the false sandcastle worm
August 25, 2020 Blog post: With its beachy name and sandy dwelling, the false sandcastle worm is the quintessential beach bum.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/August-2020/Life’s-a-beach-for-the-false-sandcastle-worm
Dark got you down? Shine a little light with the lamp shells
November 23, 2021 Blog post: It's that special time of year when we feel like we dwell in darkness 24 hours a day. Let’s shed a little light on the gloom with this month’s critter group: the lamp shells.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/November-2021/Dark-got-you-down-Shine-a-little-light-with-the-la
Resilience and the purple sea urchin
May 25, 2021 Blog post: Purple urchins aren't just faceless purple pincushions — they may have a thing or two to teach us about resilience in the face of challenges.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/May-2021/Resilience-and-the-purple-sea-urchin
Thrills, spills, and frills: The pink tritonia takes us on a wild ride
February 14, 2022 Blog post: What’s pink, white, and frilly all over? It's the pink tritonia: the walking (or in this case, crawling) embodiment of the excitement — and terror — of blossoming love.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/February-2022/Thrills-spills-and-frills-The-pink-tritonia-takes
Snuggle up! The common slipper snail gets close for comfort
September 28, 2020 Blog post: The first days of fall are here, and nothing makes me want to pile on the cozy layers like the arrival of the rainy season. This month’s critter embodies the fashion motto of 2020: comfort is IN.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/September-2020/Snuggle-up!-The-common-slipper-snail-gets-close-fo
It’s slime time! The slime tube worm lives in a house of horrors
October 26, 2021 Blog post: Sliiiime. Just saying the word conjures up images of monsters from scary movies like The Blob, The Thing, and Ghostbusters. But to the slime tube worm, all this ooze looks like Home Sweet Home.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/October-2021/It-s-slime-time-The-slime-tube-worm-lives-in-a-hou
Another day, another (Pacific sand) dollar
August 25, 2021 Blog post: If you escaped to the Washington’s coastline this summer to beat the heat, you probably walked by the remains of this month’s critter: the Pacific sand dollar.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/August-2021/Another-day,-another-(Pacific-sand)-dollar
Restore Our Earth
April 15, 2021 Blog post: Earth Day is just a few days away. Read about what we’ve got in store and learn about ways you can “Restore Our Earth”.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/April-2021/Earth-Day-Re-turns-to-Re-store-our-Earth