Whale Falls: A Blubbery Oasis

In the spirit of the holiday season, let us consider the gift that really keeps on giving: dead whales! Okay, now before you get any big ideas, I’m talking about whales that have died naturally and sunk to the bottom of the ocean. These “whale falls” are a true oasis on the dark sea floor, providing upwards of 50 years of nourishment to more than 400 species, from sleeper sharks to bacteria to BONE-EATING WORMS! Yum! Here’s a superbly-done paper-puppet animation of a whale fall:
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/29987934[/vimeo]