CRITTER COLLEGE
WOW! Have you ever seen an Orange Elephant Ear? Oh, you don't know what one looks like? You probably know a Yellowtail Jack when you see it, would you know what a swimming Crinoid looks like? How about a Beaugregory, or a Telesto, or a Ribbon Bryozoan? Everyone knows a Parrotfish, maybe not the exact name, but they know a Parrotfish. Telling friends that you saw a juvenile Margate or a Lancer Dragonet is much more impressive than saying you saw a big blue fish. Knowing the name of the critter/fish/coral picture in your photo album communicates your enthusiasm for diving to your friends and relatives more infectiously.
Did you know that coral reefs have survived on Earth for over 50 million years? Coral reefs are the primary source of food and income for millions of people, produce valuable chemical compounds for medicines, and provide a natural wave barrier. Would you like to learn more detail about how reefs develop and encourage other marine life? Would you like to learn more about symbiotic relationships, juvenile stages, or just plain where to look for infrequently seen species of critter?
Have we got a deal for you!
Critter College, a unique aquatic environment curriculum developed by We
B Divin'. A curriculum which enhances divers' and snorkelers' basic knowledge,
actively participate in preserving, and enhance their enjoyment of the world's
reef systems. By completing all the courses, you will not only know where to
look for all the infrequently seen species of critter and what to call them but
will be awarded the distinction of Master Environmentalist Diver and be entitled
to special discounts on camera equipment!
The following PADI Specialties are prerequisites that you may have already
completed:
AWARE Fish ID
Peak Performance Buoyancy
Deep Diver
Night Diver
Be sure to ask about our one-of-a-kind Marine Life Snorkeling Specialty, Project
Aware, Skin-Diving and Supplied Air Snorkeling certifications for Non-Divers.
The following courses are NEW PADI Specialties available only at We B Divin'.
Advanced Fish Watching
This course picks up where AWARE Fish ID leaves off. It broadens fish identification from 30 to 110 within 37 fish families. It teaches the visual difference of juvenile life stages of several commonly sighted reef species, identification of species from the snapper, grunt, damselfish, and drum families, and understanding of dramatic color and marking changes of larger grouper from the sea bass family. Students learn where to hunt for the included species and how to use reference tools to identify unknown specimens they encounter.
Reef Creature Identification
This course teaches the most prominent visual characteristics of ten invertebrate phyla, the members of nearly 50 invertebrate groups, and nearly 40 invertebrate species through the use of over 150 Paul Humann slides. Students learn how to use reference tools to identify unknown specimens they encounter. Students will no longer be limited to 'some kind of crab'. They will be sought out by other divers to put a name to their most recent sighting.
Reef Coral Identification
This course begins by teaching the basic natural history of corals. Students learn to quickly recognize members of each coral identification group and nearly 25 of the most commonly sighted coral species. They will also learn how to use reference tools to identify unknown specimens they encounter.
Texas Mussel Diver Specialty
This course enlightens the student on the role played by freshwater mussel ecology in our Texas waterways and the role the Texas Parks and Wildlife Departments plays. Students learn the freshwater mussel species a diver is likely to sample on a dive in Texas waters. They will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to conduct freshwater mussel samplings and reporting the results to TPWD. Students will become active participants in improving our Texas waters.
DAN Hazardous Marine
This course is not required for the Master Environmentalist Diver rating, however, it does fit perfectly with the theme of Critter College. Students learn specifics of hazardous marine animals and how to treat injuries from each of these animals.
Marine Life Identification - Snorkeling Specialty Course
This course teaches how hard coral develops to form a coral reef habitat. Student snorkelers learn to recognize five common species of hard corals, four types of gorgonians, seventeen common species of invertebrate animals, twenty-five common reef fish and how to recognize potentially dangerous marine life. They also learn how to avoid damage to marine life while snorkeling and the snorkeler's role in the protection of the marine environment.Snorkelers may also want to take advantage of the PADI Discover Snorkeling Experience, the PADI Supplied Air Snorkeling certification and/or a PADI Skin Diver certification course, depending on their level of previous experience.