🐙 Talk about a hands-off romance! Male octopuses have a specialized arm called a hectocotylus, which they use for reproduction. Some species even detach the arm entirely and leave it with the female until she’s ready to fertilize her eggs. 💌Find more ocean love: go.whoi.edu/ocean-lovers

Want to learn how to speak dolphin?🐬 You just need to go through thousands of audio recordings and decode them! 🎶 It's a daunting task, but one that WHOI research assistant Kate Fligstein is taking on, one whistle at a time! 👉Find out how she's doing it—without AI: go.whoi.edu/15,000whistles

Does freezing water always turn to ice? 🧊 A recent study showed that 717 million years ago, the ocean's extreme saltiness helped it maintain a liquid state at 5℉ (-15C). That's the coldest measured sea temperature in Earth’s history! 👉 More from the @agu.org go.whoi.edu/eos-snowball

🤔 What if we’ve been looking at our world the wrong way? Instead of continents separated by cold, wet emptiness, what if we saw that land as merely floating on a life-giving expanse of opportunity? 🌊Trade your land-based perspective for new possibilities beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/reimagine

And the winner is...📨 WHOI-affiliated scientist Alan Seltzer was just awarded one of the highest early-career honors in geochemistry, the F.G. Houtermans Award!🎉 Learn how he's tackling big questions about how the ocean, atmosphere, and Earth’s interior are connected: go.whoi.edu/alan-seltzer

Ping! 🔔 At the end of January, a WHOI-operated acoustic buoy near Savannah picked up the sound of a critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. This data, publicly accessible via robots4whales.whoi.edu, is used by NOAA to implement “slow zones” for mariners. 📲More: go.whoi.edu/smn-buoys

Meet the “blue button jelly,” a stinging cnidarian that’s more like a tiny team than a single animal. WHOI’s jellyfish expert Larry Madin tells @popsci.com what he knows about this "quasi-colonial organism: go.whoi.edu/popsci-jelly

Our work is grounded in marine science and exploration, but we're making waves far beyond the ocean surface. 🌊 👉🏽Find out how #WHOI research drives breakthroughs, from human health and infrastructure design to emergency response and national security: go.whoi.edu/breakthroughs-below-the-surface

Sea cucumbers spend their lives burrowing into and eating mud + sand. But this beautiful species—Enypniastes—is also capable of swimming by slowly undulating the cape-like structure around its top. And it's not a trick of the light: its organs actually glow in the dark, which may deter predators.

A recent study found that Jupiter's moon, Europa, may not host hydrothermal vents in its icy ocean (like the Earthly vents in this video) but it could still have a lower-temperature, geothermally-driven food chain. 📲Learn more about the sea to space connection: go.whoi.edu/ont-europa

📣 Adélie Penguin Phil has seen his shadow, meaning 6 more weeks of summer in Antarctica! That also means 6 more weeks of winter in the northern hemisphere...🥶 But it's good news for polar researchers, who take advantage of the relatively pleasant austral summer to study the Southern Ocean.

What's YOUR ocean story? 🌊 Whether you live near or far from the shore, the ocean shapes your world—sustaining life, regulating the climate, and inspiring wonder. Take the plunge! Discover your connection to the vast, incredible world beneath the waves: go.whoi.edu/ocean-world

The ocean is forever 💙 Keep it close to your heart—and support marine science with your purchase. Find a gift that’s as unique as they are: go.whoi.edu/ocean-love

Take a deep dive into the secret lives of big fish! 🦈 If you missed our live virtual event on ocean predators this week, don't fret! Watch #OceanEncounters at your convenience on YouTube: go.whoi.edu/oe-predators And stay tuned for our next event on March 4, starring coastal ecosystems!

🤔What does it take to develop safe and effective marine carbon dioxide removal strategies? Find out from @nytimes.com, whose reporters joined our EPA-approved ocean alkalinity enhancement test in the Gulf of Maine last summer. 📲Read the gift article: go.whoi.edu/oae-nyt 📸 by Sebastian Zeck

Sliding into the weekend… like George Russell? Oh sorry, not Formula 1 driver! We're talking about the Siberian cat and beloved pet of our Deputy Director (and F1 fan), Ben Van Mooy. Next stop: the Milan Olympics! No cats (or F1 drivers) were harmed in the making of this video. #CatsofWHOI

Sargassum can be annoying and noxious when huge amounts wash up on the beach. But the economic impact is what really hurts. 💸 A new WHOI-led study found the nuisance seaweed could cost Florida billions in lost business revenue. 📲Find out how much from : go.whoi.edu/fltoday-sargassum

📣 Calling science & engineering undergrads (+ friends & family)! Looking to get paid, hands-on experience in Woods Hole this summer? Apply to the WHOI Summer Student Fellowship! Don't delay—applications are due on February 1! ⏰ 📲Get the deets: whoi.edu/summerfellow

In 1979, 2 years after their discovery of hydrothermal vents, WHOI's Robert Ballard + team returned to the Galápagos to investigate the biology. These giant tube worms are an example of the incredible biodiversity thriving in the deep sea—an area previously considered too dark + hostile for life!

Join us for Ocean Encounters TONIGHT at 7:30pm (ET) to learn more about the biggest fish in the ocean—and what they can teach us about ocean health. 👉 Register for this live virtual event: go.whoi.edu/predators #OceanEncounters is an official event of the @unoceandecade.bsky.social

This summer, MIT-WHOI grad student Jaida Elcock played tag with a whale shark! 🤙🏽🦈✨ After the tag popped off, Elcock played "hide and seek" with it to retrieve the biologger data! 🦈 Watch the full video: go.whoi.edu/whale-shark-tag

Even in the frigid seas of Antarctica, life blooms 🪸 In just 24 hours of brooding in the lab, these Antarctic deep-sea coral larvae began to sprout their very first tentacles, giving WHOI biologist Rhian Waller a glimpse into the earliest stages of life far below the surface.

When the #HighSeasTreaty came into effect on Jan. 17, it set in motion a legal framework + process for establishing marine protected areas outside of national boundaries—with a goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. 🗺️ So… what are MPAs? Find out: go.whoi.edu/mpas

Wasn't that a mighty storm? 🥶 No matter where you live, your weather is influenced by the ocean. Find out what it takes to study the complex interplay between air and sea—and create forecasts that help us stay ahead of the storms: go.whoi.edu/oceanweather

At WHOI, we understand the importance of maritime heritage. That’s why our engineers developed a turtle-shaped robot that can scan and remove derelict fishing gear from New England's storied shipwrecks. 🤖 Meet the ocean's new “quicker-picker-upper,” Res-Q ROV: go.whoi.edu/ResQ

Did you know that 50% of the Northeast's one-lush eelgrass beds have disappeared—along with the homes of many fish, crabs, and shellfish? 🦀🐡 📲Watch @oceanstatemedia.bsky.social ’s new series, featuring #WHOI scientist Matt Long's effort to restore these vital habitats: go.whoi.edu/pbs-oceanstate

Hitchiking in the ocean? 👍 A new study, including WHOI, traced oil-covered trash from the shores of Florida to a 2019 spill in Brazil! It shows that oil can hitch a ride on plastics to travel thousands of miles from where it was spilled. More from @agu.org ’s EOS: go.whoi.edu/eos-oil

Kelp has many potential uses—in food, as a bio-stimulant for crops, and even as biofuel. A nascent aquaculture industry is working to meet demand, with a little help from WHOI researchers who developed an automated seeder to cut down on farmers’ time and exposure to the elements.

Are fishing vessels the ocean’s apex predators? A new study reveals that tracking fishing boat location data can reveal the spread of marine heat waves. WHOI’s Simon Thorrold tells @mongabay.com that this technique could aid fisheries management. 📲Get the full story: go.whoi.edu/apex-fishers

2026 is the new 2016! 🌀 Enjoy this throwback to simpler, yet still exciting times, featuring the decade-old feats of R/V Neil Armstrong, HOV Alvin, AUV Sentry, and the hybrid AUV-ROV Nereid Under Ice. #nofilter #BringBack2016

🧑🏽‍🔬🌊🤖 Hey undergrads! Looking to get paid, hands-on experience in ocean science or engineering? Experience the magic of a Woods Hole summer with the WHOI Summer Student Fellowship! Applications are due on February 1—get all the details:whoi.edu/summerfellow

Did you know the largest fish in the ocean eat the smallest things? Join us for more insights into ocean predators at #OceanEncounters on Jan. 28 with WHOI biologists Camrin Braun & @sofishtication.bsky.social 👉 Register for this virtual live event (w/ ASL interpretation): go.whoi.edu/predators

Under a powerful microscope, these fecal pellets reveal the shells of coccoliths, a type of phytoplankton consumed by zooplankton. Believe it or not, these sinking pellets are part of a “biological carbon pump” that helps keep our planet habitable! 👉Find out how: go.whoi.edu/pellet

Alvin made Yankee Magazine's 2025 list of favorite photos! This photo by Luis Lamar was part of an article about the history and legacy of the nation’s deepest-diving crewed submersible, "Deep Impact," published in the November issue. 👉Dive deeper into the full story: go.whoi.edu/yankee-sub

Do you know what type of penguin this is? Let us know your thoughts! Some hints to help: 🥚 These penguins lay two eggs, as most penguins do, but only one of the eggs hatches. 🦐 As a species, these penguins eat more food than any other marine bird. 🪶 They're named in the song Yankee Doodle!

Remember studying plate tectonics back in middle school? It’s time for a refresher! Explore plate boundaries with an interactive map in our Ocean Learning Hub! Start exploring: go.whoi.edu/Plate_Boundaries

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere..." ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from Birmingham, Alabama jail, April 16, 1963 Today and every day, let's remember that we are all connected and share a common destiny on this incredible ocean planet.

It was our honor to present renowned ocean scientist with a Woods Hole Centennial Medal! 🎉 Watch her full speech from the October launch of WHOI’s Campaign for Our Ocean Planet: go.whoi.edu/SylviaEarle

📅 Keep the ocean close (and your dates straight) year-round with a WHOI wall calendar! Featuring incredible shots from WHOI fieldwork around the globe, it's yours for only $10.46 (a 25% discount) 👉Get one while supplies last: go.whoi.edu/2026

Why is oil-covered debris washing up on Florida’s beaches when there’s no spill in sight? A new WHOI study found that the tar-stained trash likely traveled about 5,300 miles after a massive oil spill off the coast of Brazil. 👣 Follow the oily trail: go.whoi.edu/tn-oil

The High Seas Treaty is officially in effect! 🌊🎉🌎 TODAY, the UN’s #BBNJ Treaty becomes international law, protecting areas of the global ocean beyond any nation’s control. 👉Learn more about the road to protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030 and #60toGlobal from the @highseasalliance.bsky.social!

What looks like a peaceful marine snail inching across a soft coral is actually the result of an evolutionary battle. In this ongoing “arms race,” soft corals evolved powerful toxins to ward off predators, but the flamingo tongue snail developed genes and proteins to neutralize those toxins.

🧑🏽‍🔬🌊🤖 Hey undergrads! Get paid, hands-on experience in ocean science or engineering as a WHOI Summer Student Fellow! Applications are due on February 1—so start yours today! 📲Find program details and potential projects for summer 2026: whoi.edu/summerfellow

Meet the man behind the camera: Jan Hahn. As WHOI’s first Public Information Officer, from 1947-1972, Hahn documented everything from early research expeditions to life and culture at WHOI. In crisp black and white, he captured the early days of our institution—from our first vessel to Alvin!

🤫Some of the ocean’s most iconic predators have a little secret: some are actually gentle giants that sustain ocean health! Join us for a free live virtual event with WHOI scientists on Jan 28 to rethink ocean predators + their role in the ecosystem. 👉 Register today: go.whoi.edu/predators

Think the Grand Canyon is deep? It’s time you looked into ocean trenches! ⁠ ⁠ These long, steep depressions can drop miles below the rest of the ocean floor, to depths of 20,000+ feet (6,000m)! ⁠ 📲 Find out how life survives— and what can we learn from studying trenches: go.whoi.edu/ocean-trenches

WHOI glaciologist Catherine Walker is trying to answer a decades-long question: as glaciers advance and recede over the ocean, how do they hold together? Walker’s team traveled to eastern Greenland to fill in big gaps in understanding how the Greenland ice sheet is changing over time.

Aboard the icebreaking research vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer, WHOI postdoc Jonas Preine was part of a team studying underwater volcanoes in Antarctica’s Ross Sea. “Outside, snow was blasting through the headlight beam and no other ship in sight for hundreds of miles.” 📸 Jonas Preine/WHOI

In “Life on the Rocks,” science writer Juli Berwald reconciles the demise of coral reefs due to ocean warming with the promise of scientific solutions—some championed by WHOI’s Reef Solutions researchers. Get our review: go.whoi.edu/life-on-the-rocks

Celebrate deep-sea discovery in our new Alvin hoodie! This full-zip hooded sweatshirt features the legendary submersible Alvin. Rep deep-sea discovery while supporting our ocean research: go.whoi.edu/FZHS