Whats Crack-A-Lackin?

     On the first day when we went in the water for shark tagging, I took in all the sights to see and that was about it. However, what I forgot to notice was the sound the ocean and it’s residents make. Although the ocean can seem peaceful, serene and quiet, it isn’t always so. Christina had mentioned the next day about the corals making noise and crackling, but because of my obliviousness and hyperactivity from the day before (I mostly jumped off the boat and swam around like a psycho), I didn’t know what she was talking about. So when we went snorkeling the next day I reminded myself to be more observant and tranquil than hyper like an 8 year old who’s had 6 sodas. When I went in and look a listen I realized she was right! The ocean and corals we’re making crackling sounds like Rice Krispies. I had no idea the ocean did that and had no idea what it could have been.

      Turns out, there’s a lot of factors that explain the Rice Krispies. One of the reasons for it is the herbivorous fish cleaning, scraping and grinding the algae and other substances off the coral. They do this in order to eat, claim territory, or even communicate to other fish for breeding or hunting. Other creature such as crabs or lobsters click their claws in defense or to woo another lady crab or lobster. Oysters, barnacles and clams also contribute to the cracking by opening and closing their mouths or appendages or braking themselves free from any surface they have attached themselves too. In fact, these cracks are said to be able to be heard for miles. Urchins have also been studied and heard making similar cracking sounds by hitting their spikes together when they move. The only contributor that I predicted were small bubbles bursting under and on the corals. It’s insane to see how many different organisms can make the same sound by doing different sounds.

      Although the sound may seem concerning to someone who is unaware of its origin, the sound is in fact a great thing. It proves the coral reef is still productive and most likely living. I’m fact, these crackles have been used by scientists to study species diversity around coral reefs. So, next time you go to a reef and you hear pop rocks or Rice Krispies, be excited because that means the reef and it’s residents are trying their best!! 

Speaking of Rice Krispies, what’s y’all a favorite cereal? Comment below!

 To learn more about the sounds of the ocean, click these links:

http://www.alertdiver.com/Symphony_Reef

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/take-audio-tour-ocean-180963880/