Incredible Coastal Critters

Join zoologist Chris Humfrey as he dives headfirst into the fascinating watery worlds of Australia’s shorelines. Discover amazing creatures and learn about their classification, adaptations, habitat and ecological niche, plus loads of quirky fun facts. Get up-close and personal with: Brown Sea Algae, Eleven-armed Seastar, Purple Sea Urchin, Brown Sea Cucumber, Southern Hermit Crab, Elephant Snail, Pot-bellied Seahorse, Blue-ringed Octopus, Great Spider Crab, Port Jackson Shark, Little Penguin, Waratah Anemone, Slender-spined Porcupinefish, Southern Biscuit Seastar and Weedy Seadragon. Chris says ＂ Marine creatures don’t always receive the attention of their ’ landlubber’ counterparts＂ but his engaging and often hilarious writing style turns an animal which at first appears ordinary into the extraordinary! For instance, did you know that the father seahorse gives birth to the babies and keeps the young in a pouch, just like a kangaroo? Or, amazingly, that the venomous blue-ringed octopus has a beak in it its mouth just like your pet budgie, only with a toxic saliva sting!

Chris Humfrey is a zoologist who lives in Victoria, Australia with his family and their dog. And a couple thousand other pets. The Humfreys’ residence isn’t a home as much as it is a private zoo where human and animal sagas unfold daily. It goes without saying that it is not easy to keep the animals in check, which is why Chris and his wife, Nicole, have a motley crew of zookeepers to try to keep the animals happy and healthy. Whether it’s rescuing a baby joey deserted by her mother or working to keep away the foxes that wreak havoc at night, it’s always an adventure at the Humfreys’ Home.