Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem

This informational picture book examines what happens after a whale dies and its body settles on the deep-ocean floor. The whale fall becomes food for many creatures, beginning with fish that consume blubber and flesh. Amphipods, crabs, shrimp, sea pigs, zombie worms, bacteria, and microbes are among the organisms described as the ecosystem changes over roughly 50 years. The whale’s remains support more than 500 species.