Epipelagic (0-200m) Animals

There are many layers to the ocean floor but the one where 90% of all ocean life lives is the epipelagic, or euphotic zone. This layer, the closest one to the sun, is where you will find plant life. This unique layer has the light needed for photosynthesis to take place.

Since sunlight is in abundance, this layer is very high in plant life as well as a variety of algae. Here you will find flowering plants and a variety of seaweeds.

Another unique quality of the epipelagic is a lack of sediments, since there is no bottom to the layer. Without these rich sediments, there are no deposit feeders, instead a plethora of suspension feeders. Suspension feeders eat the food that is floating in the water.

Here you will find some of the most familiar ocean animals. You will find sharks, tuna, jellyfish, and sea turtles. You will also find blue whales, orcas, and dolphinfish. Most of the common fish that humans consume are found here in this layer.

A unique quality that some of the animals in the epipelagic layer have is a type of camoflauge called countershading. This is where the animal is light on the bottom of their bodies and darker on the top. This allows the animal to blend in with the light when a predator is below or blend in with the water when a predator is on the top of the animal.

Look for these layers in the majority of the world's oceans.


Even-toed ungulates	Carnivores	Cetacea	Bats	Dasyuroids	Opossums	Sirenia	Primates	Fish	Reptiles	Amphibians	Birds

Epipelagic (0-200m) Animals

Animals living in the Epipelagic (0-200m) habitat

Carnivores

Dolphins, porpoises, and whales

Dugongs, manatees, and sea cows