Ocean Mysteries Season 1 Episode 5 Zealandia: The Garden of Tane

In the fifth episode of the first season of Ocean Mysteries, viewers are taken on a journey to uncover the mysteries surrounding Zealandia - a submerged continent that lies beneath the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Host Jeff Corwin begins by providing viewers with some background information about Zealandia, which was only discovered in the late 1990s. It is a massive land mass that is roughly the size of India, but unlike India, it is completely submerged beneath the ocean.

Corwin is joined by a team of scientists and researchers who are on a mission to explore the hidden worlds of Zealandia and learn more about the various marine creatures that call it home. They believe that Zealandia was once a vast and diverse ecosystem, filled with a wide variety of plant and animal species.

The team starts their journey by traveling to the Chatham Islands - a remote group of islands located east of New Zealand. Here they meet with local tribes who have long known about the existence of Zealandia, and who have stories and legends about the creatures that once inhabited it.

From there, Corwin and the team set out to explore the waters surrounding Zealandia, starting with the deep sea canyons that plunge down to depths of up to 6 kilometers. Here they discover a wide variety of strange and unusual creatures that are unlike anything they have seen before.

One of the most fascinating discoveries they make is a strange species of jellyfish that has a luminescent glow. This jellyfish is able to produce light using bioluminescence, which is a process where certain enzymes react with chemicals inside the jellyfish to produce light. Scientists believe that this jellyfish could hold the key to unlocking the secrets of bioluminescence, which is used by many marine creatures to attract prey or communicate with one another.

Another fascinating discovery made by the team is a species of deep sea squid that is able to change its skin color and pattern to blend in with its surroundings. This squid is able to do this by using special cells in its skin that contain pigment granules, which can expand or contract to change the color and pattern of the skin. Scientists believe that this ability could be used as a defense mechanism to help the squid avoid predators.

Finally, the team sets out to explore the reefs and shallow waters around Zealandia. Here they find a vast array of colorful coral formations, sea anemones, and schools of fish. They also encounter a number of iconic marine creatures, such as dolphins, sea turtles, and even a giant stingray.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning visuals of the underwater world, as well as insights and commentary from the team of scientists and researchers. They learn about the challenges of exploring such a remote and inaccessible location, as well as the various techniques and technologies used to study the ocean and its inhabitants.

Overall, Zealandia: The Garden of Tane is a fascinating episode that takes viewers on a journey to uncover the mysteries of one of the most unique and intriguing underwater ecosystems in the world. It provides an insight into the complexities and diversity of marine life, as well as the challenges and rewards of ocean exploration.