Today these stories are much less common. We've explored much of the sea, and scientists have discovered that what once seemed so fearsome was often only misunderstood. To find out if an animal is dangerous, we need to learn about it and understand why it's fearsome. An animal's adaptations may make it seem fearsome. An adaptation is a modification of an organism that makes it more suited to live in its environment.
Adaptations can be a body part or a behavior that help an animal survive.
These adaptations include protective spines, sharp teeth, poisonous flesh, and stinging cells. Some adaptations may be dangerous to humans. Dangerous sea animals are important members of the ocean ecosystem. Each organism in an ecosystem has a particular role. Organisms work together to keep their ecosystem healthy and productive.