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Undersea savannah

Under the shallow coastal water is lost world that was once dry land, not so long ago. On occasions it may still be exposed by the lowest of tides. Now the meadows are marine. Eel grass is one of the few flowering plants that's adapted to life in the sea. Many creatures find refuge among the leaves and let the tide bring them a meal. Snakelock anemones with their gorgon-like tentacles, are the most obvious. Among the smallest, tiny stalked jellyfish lead a more static life compared to their bigger free-floating kin. This undersea savannah is also a nursery for many young fish. It's dangerous for a little fish in deep water. So keeping close to the shore where bigger predators can't go, increases your chances of survival. But here crashing waves bring a problem that this creature seems to have solved. Known as a lumpsucker, its pelvic fins are adapted to hold tight to rocks and weed in the most turbulent seas.

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2 minutes

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