Spongebob?

spongebobs copy

It does not live in a pineapple under the sea. It does not work at the Krusty Krabs. And it definitely does not wear square pants. Spongebob is not its name, but you can call its scientific name, Porifera, or simply as Sponge.

Unlike its TV cartoon persona, Sponges are simple animals with no brains and has over 5000 species. Unlike its TV cartoon persona, most Sponges are hermaphrodites, meaning they are both a boy and girl. Instead of living in a pineapple under the sea, sponges attach themselves against sea walls and rocks deep in the ocean and feed by filtering the sea water. Unlike corals, sponges do not rely on sunlight to survive and hence are found in abundance at the deeper depths of the ocean. And as their name, Porifera, suggests, these pore bearing creatures filter the sea water for food and nutrients for itself, while releasing the filtered water back into the ocean.

Well everyone knows Spongebob Squarepants and hopefully after this, they learn more about the sponge and less of the nautical nonsense of that show. So maybe we need to change the words of the theme song?

Who lives on sea walls under the sea?

Porifera!

Absorbent and yellow and porous as it!

Porifera!

If nautical knowledge is something you wish!

Then go on your PC and google for it!

Ready?

PORIFERA! PORIFERA! PORIFERA!

PO-ORI-FEH-RAAHHHHH!!!!!


References:

“The wonderful world of the sea sponges – The Abyss – BBC Wildlife,” by BC. BBCEarth YouTube Channel, 14 October 2008. URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BW05vMziy2o (accessed on 5 Apr 2010)

URL:http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sponge (accessed on 5 Apr 2010)

“Sponges: They are Nothing like Sponge Bob,” by Jonathan Bird. Oceanic Research, 6 May 2007. Hosted URL: http://www.oceanicresearch.org/education/wonders/sponges.html (accessed on 5 Apr 2010)

URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/figmentsimagination/3220333154/ (accessed on 5 Apr 2010)

URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/divemasterking2000/186660448/ (accessed on 5 Apr 2010)

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