ocean.nationalgeographic.comOceans

Newsletters Subscribe Menu Environment The Pacific Ocean, explained Environment The Pacific Ocean, explained The Pacific Ocean, explained See Photos The Atlantic Ocean, explained Environment The Atlantic Ocean, explained The Atlantic Ocean, explained Read The Arctic Ocean, explained Environment The Arctic Ocean, explained The Arctic Ocean, explained Read In the news An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world Animals An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world Read Why the UK’s Northumberland Coast has it all Travel Why the UK’s Northumberland Coast has it all Why the UK’s Northumberland Coast has it all Read Scientists race to save Florida’s spinning, dying fish Animals Scientists race to save Florida’s spinning, dying fish Scientists race to save Florida’s spinning, dying fish Read In search of wildlife on a one-day cruise off the coast of Cornwall, UK Travel In search of wildlife on a one-day cruise off the coast of Cornwall, UK In search of wildlife on a one-day cruise off the coast of Cornwall, UK Read 6 South African natural wonders you must see Travel 6 South African natural wonders you must see 6 South African natural wonders you must see Read load more Watch Where our fear of sharks came from Seeing a shark can be pretty scary. It’s okay to admit that. They are some of the ocean’s most powerful predators. And yes, sharks do occasionally bite humans that enter their habitat. However, the notion that sharks are the vengeful, human-eating beasts that we see in the movies couldn’t be farther from the truth. On the contrary, an estimated 100 million sharks are killed by humans each year, putting a number of species on the brink of extinction. While we often villainize them in our stories, sharks may actually have more reasons to fear us. Now Playing 6:53 Where our fear of sharks came from Up Next 1:33 Watch: First recorded footage of a dolphin mom adopting a calf from a different species Now Playing 1:10 Mysterious sea ’worm’ spotted near New Zealand Now Playing 1:18 Rare footage shows unusual octopus and puffer fish interaction Now Playing 2:21 Rare dumbo octopus shows off for deep-sea submersible Now Playing 1:49 Watch a camouflaged slug eat sea grapes Go Further Animals He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why? Environment Perpetual Planet He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why? Behind the scenes at America’s biggest birding festival Animals Behind the scenes at America’s biggest birding festival How scientists are piecing together a sperm whale ‘alphabet’ Animals How scientists are piecing together a sperm whale ‘alphabet’ Top 4 myths about wolves, busted by experts Animals Top 4 myths about wolves, busted by experts 5 ways orcas are surprising scientists Animals 5 ways orcas are surprising scientists Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time Animals Orangutan seen using plants to heal wound for first time Environment He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why? Environment Perpetual Planet He’s called ‘omacha,’ a dolphin that transforms into a man. Why? Are chili peppers getting less spicy? Environment Are chili peppers getting less spicy? The northernmost flower living at the top of the world Environment The northernmost flower living at the top of the world This beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on Nigeria Environment This beautiful floating flower is wreaking havoc on Nigeria What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster Environment What the Aral Sea might teach us about life after disaster What La Palma’s ’lava tubes’ tell us about life on other planets Environment What La Palma’s ’lava tubes’ tell us about life on other planets How fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitions Environment How fungi form ‘fairy rings’ and inspire superstitions Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here’s why. Environment Your favorite foods may not taste the same in the future. Here’s why. Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum? Environment Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum? The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way? Environment The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way? England’s iconic chalk streams are in trouble Environment England’s iconic chalk streams are in trouble This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience Environment Perpetual Planet This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience History & Culture Why are vitamins named after letters? Science Why are vitamins named after letters? Eurovision’s unlikely historical origins History & Culture Eurovision’s unlikely historical origins This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened? History Magazine This thriving society vanished into thin air. What happened? Here’s a colorful history of red lipstick History & Culture Here’s a colorful history of red lipstick What lies beneath Hitler’s war lair? History & Culture What lies beneath Hitler’s war lair? These were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ era History & Culture These were the real rules of courtship in the ‘Bridgerton’ era Science Why are vitamins named after letters? Science Why are vitamins named after letters? Is the 5-second rule true? Science finally has an answer. Science Gory Details Is the 5-second rule true? Science finally has an answer. E-bikes are good for the environment—but what about your health? Science Mind, Body, Wonder E-bikes are good for the environment—but what about your health? Why trigger points cause so much pain—and how you can relieve it Science Mind, Body, Wonder Why trigger points cause so much pain—and how you can relieve it Is flavor really just an illusion? Science Is flavor really just an illusion? Here’s what sudden weight loss does to your body Science Mind, Body, Wonder Here’s what sudden weight loss does to your body Travel These rollerskaters take over Paris every Friday night Travel These rollerskaters take over Paris every Friday night How Black travelers are reclaiming Portugal Travel How Black travelers are reclaiming Portugal Why this city-state is famous for its fusion food Travel Why this city-state is famous for its fusion food The story of this French village is set in stone — literally Travel The story of this French village is set in stone — literally How to spend a long weekend in Zagreb, Croatia Paid Content How to spend a long weekend in Zagreb, Croatia The best LGBTQ-friendly destinations for every traveler Travel The best LGBTQ-friendly destinations for every traveler Subscriber Exclusive Content previous Magazine Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars? Read Magazine How viruses shape our world Read Animals The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end Read Magazine See how people have imagined life on Mars through history Read Magazine See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet Explore Magazine Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars? Read Magazine How viruses shape our world Read Animals The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end Read Magazine See how people have imagined life on Mars through history Read Magazine See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet Explore Magazine Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars? Read Magazine How viruses shape our world Read Animals The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end Read Magazine See how people have imagined life on Mars through history Read Magazine See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet Explore next See More Legal Terms of Use Privacy Policy Your US State Privacy Rights Children’s Online Privacy Policy Interest-Based Ads About Nielsen Measurement Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information Our Sites Nat Geo Home Attend a Live...