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Oregon Coast Travel and Entertainment News |
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Covering 180 miles of Oregon coast travel: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Tillamook, Oceanside, Pacific City, Lincoln City, Depoe Bay, Newport, Wadport, Yachats & Florence.
12/27/06
Secrets of the Season |
Oregon Coast Aquarium Biologists Watch a Rare Hatch
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| Full grown wolf-eel (courtesy Oregon Coast Aquarium) |
(Newport, Oregon) - A cluster of wolf-eel eggs have hatched at the Oregon Coast Aquarium, the offspring of a pair of adults that live in the Coastal Waters gallery. The hatch, a first for wolf-eels at the Aquarium, is a rare event because timing is extremely tricky when it comes to pulling wolf-eel eggs from the parents, who guard and care for the eggs constantly. “There is a small window of opportunity,” said aquarist and marine biologist Evonne Mochon-Collura, who took over responsibility for the Coastal Waters gallery this year. “You need to let the parents care for the eggs to a certain point, but if you wait too long, the emerging larvae disappear due to predation.”
Evonne Mochon-Collura is also responsible for the care and incubation of a highly endangered Vietnamese Leaf Turtle at the facility last year. She is becoming known as the “Aquarium Midwife” for her ability to anticipate and recognize subtle changes in animal behavior that indicate reproduction is about to occur. “In previous years we missed the hatch,” said Mochon-Collura. “Wolf-eel eggs normally hatch between week 13 and 16. One egg mass was consumed, and another hatched earlier than expected. Because we could never perfectly mimic the maternal care, we don’t want to pull the eggs too soon, either, so we waited as long as possible to pull the mass.”
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| Baby wolf-eels at Aquarium |
Mochon-Collura estimated the mass contains up to 10,000 eggs.
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Wolf-eels are not a wolf, not a true eel and they’re not really dangerous unless provoked. In spite of their ferocious appearance, wolf-eels are very shy and docile. At the Oregon Coast Aquarium you can often see their heads poking out of a hole in the reef of the Aquarium displays. Wolf-eels are very involved parents. The male and female take turns coiling and oxygenating the eggs, while the other guards.
Mochon-Collura noticed a change in behavior and suspected the presence of eggs when the female stopped leaving her den to feed. Removing the eggs can be tricky, too; wolf-eels have very sharp teeth and a powerful bite suited to crushing prey. However, Mochon-Collura said the wolf-eels on exhibit prefer squid and are used to being hand-fed. “These wolf-eels are quite tame and will take food from my hand, but I always keep my eye on their teeth!”
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She stuffed the squid mantle with other food, since squid isn’t highly nutritious. She lured them out of the den with squid, but ran out of food before removing the egg mass. Ultimately, she reached into the den, put her hands behind the male’s pectoral fins and gently pulled him out. She did the same thing to the female who immediately wrapped her tail around the egg mass.
“That helped me get the mass out; I just pulled the female forward and captured the egg mass at the same time. After I took the eggs out, I stayed with the pair for a while and played with their tails and fins,” said Mochon-Collura. “I hate to anthropomorphize, but I felt I needed to make amends with them - they’re very smart!”
By
all appearances the eels were back to normal after a short time. Mochon-Collura
said the female looked for the eggs briefly, but quickly returned to normal
behavior with her mate. Wolf-eels tend to pair with one mate. “But
sometimes, there’s a soap opera and two females will compete for
one male,” according to Mochon-Collura.
The hatchlings resembled tiny tadpoles at first but are now looking more and more like small wolf-eels, measuring about one to two inches in length. They will reach 12 – 18 inches in length by the first year; will begin pairing at about four years old and laying eggs by age seven. Wolf-eels live about 20 years and reach lengths of six to eight feet long at maturity. Some of the baby wolf-eels will eventually be shipped to other Aquariums, some will stay here at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Aquarium will look into releasing some into the appropriate habitat off the coast of Oregon.
Tradewinds Motel, Rockaway Beach If expansive ocean views, close proximity to golfing, fishing tours and quick access to seven miles of pristine beaches is your thing, then this quintessential beauty in Rockaway Beach is your ticket to vacation fun for families, couples or large groups. Some rooms are pet friendly. All rooms at the Tradewinds Motel are immaculate and have TV’s, VCR’s and in-room phones with data ports. The oceanfronts all have a queen bed, a double hide-a-bed, kitchen, cozy firelog fireplace and a private deck. Some oceanfront units come with all those amenities but the kitchens. Both types sleep up to four people. The non-oceanfront rooms are appointed with a queen bed, small fridge, and coffee maker – sizable for a two-person romantic getaway, yet still perfect for those on a budget. There is an elaborate oceanfront Jacuzzi suite that has two bedrooms, coming with a kitchen, double hide-a-bed, fireplace and private deck, sleeping as many as six. For those wanting bigger accommodations for family reunions or large gatherings such as weddings, some rooms can connect to create two-room and three-room suites. 523 N. Pacific St., Rockaway Beach. (503) 355-2112 - 1-800-824-0938. www.tradewinds-motel.com |
DIVE
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and kitchens. |
BREATHTAKING
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Lincoln City Vacation Homes There’s something for everyone among this selection of wondrous homes: smaller homes with a view to a large house that sleeps 15. All the homes are either oceanfront or just a few steps away from the sand – all with a low bank access and fantastic views. Most are in the Nelscott area; one is close to the casino. You’ll find a variety of goodies, depending on the home: fireplaces, multiple bedrooms, dishwashers, Jacuzzis, washer/dryers, hot tubs, cable TV, VCR, barbecues; there’s a loft in one, and another sprawling home has two apartments. Pets are allowed in some homes – ask ahead. Each comes with complete kitchens so you’ll have a home away from home. Most have the seventh night free. Prices range from winter $85 to summer $230 per night. www.getaway2thecoast.com. 541-994-8778. |
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