Virtual Travel-Meet A Purple Vase Sponge

This Purple Vase Sponge was seen on Great Wall West, Bloody Bay Marine Park, Little Cayman, BWI.

The Purple Vase Sponge, also known as the Azure Vase Sponge, is a vibrant and colorful member of the demosponge class of animal.

Like all sponges, this species does not move throughout its life, and an individual's success relies entirely on the environment in which it lives. 

Newly born sponges are carried by currents of the sea, and often end up in coral reefs. Like coral, sea sponges were long believed to be plants, much like algae. Unlike algae, however, sea sponges do not fuel themselves through photosynthesis, but filter the water around them and consume any plankton that may pass through. 

Quite literally, these strange invertebrates "go with the flow" and rely on the movement of water to both reproduce and feed themselves. Because their well being is so reliant in the health of their ecosystem, climate change and pollution greatly affect the well being of the Purple Vase Sponge.

#littlecayman #bloodybay
#littlecaymandivers #divecayman #lcdivers #clearlycayman #caymanislands #scubadiving #caymandiving 

#scuba #valetdiving #reefdivers #underwaterphotography #caribbean
#littlecaymanbeachresort

Take a virtual tour through some of my photos: https://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/Travel-Photography

We'll get through this together. We're all connected.
#StayatHomeSavesLives
#StopTheSpread

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Nancy Nutile-McMenemy is an Upper Valley freelance photographer and writer who loves to attend concerts and local events in and around Weathersfield and the Upper Valley.

If you have anything you think I should post during our Stay At Home Time drop me an email: photosbynanci@comcast.com