Skip to main content
x

Think you've captured the perfect underwater moment? Enter the Scuba Diving Photo Contest now for your chance to be featured and win!

Submit your best shots today
Close

Megafauna vs. Microcritters: Which Is More Popular?

The two go head-to-head to “settle” the debate.
By Patrick Webster | Published On November 27, 2023
Share This Article :

Megafauna vs. Microcritters: Which Is More Popular?

Between charismatic megafauna and captivating microcritters, each dive turns into a competition for attention—but who will win?

Patrick Webster

We interrupt your Scuba Diving magazine browsing to take you live to the Dive Resort Ambassador Popularity Contest, where a sea lion and a shrimp have taken the podium to argue on behalf of their respective parties.

Sea Lion for Megafauna: Listen folks, the Instagram metrics don’t lie. We charismatic megafauna have always had and will continue to garner the most engagement.

Shrimp for Microcritters: Pandering to the vertebrates isn’t truly representing the ocean to our clientele. Why, my sea lion colleague here is just a land bear in a mermaid disguise. They even haul out on the daily! Are we divers or are we surfacers?

Sea Lion: Come on. Megafauna are the backbone of ocean marketing, full stop. Our shark and other chondrichthyan representatives would like to remind everyone of their 400 million-plus years of commitment to the ocean platform, with global recognition, viral success, limitless merchandising opportunities…

Shrimp: You see, folks, it’s all marketing with them, all to mask their true intentions of total marine-attention domination. But you want to talk about commitment? Look at us: coral, shrimp, octopus, salp—not a “sea” modifier in sight. Them? Sea lions, sea cows, sea turtles, sea snakes, sea otters, “sea” this, “sea” that. Evolutionary regrets, anyone?

Sea Lion: Please. We’re the mammalian memory makers!

Related Reading: Scuba Diving With Sea Lions: Discover the World's Most Playful Marine Animal

Patrick Webster

Shrimp: Is that so? Folks, what do you remember more from your time in the ocean? The big beastie you paid all that money to go and see for a split second, or the jelly stings you got while you were waiting for that fleeting dive diva? We represent the truly memorable aquatic adventures: the stepped-on urchins, brushed-against fire corals and thumbsplitting mantis shrimps

Sea Lion: Aha! So you admit that some of your members can rub people the wrong way?

Related Reading: Why We’re Suckers for Becoming an Octopus’s Student

Shrimp: Uh, well… We have to stand up for ourselves! People will see a thousand of us and only mention the one their buddy maybe kind of saw off in the distance. We demand representation beyond random stickers and discounted kid-size shirts in the gift store.

Sea Lion: We suppose we could talk to the brand people…

Shrimp: We’ll do it ourselves! Dear Reader—yes, you there. What are the most memorable critter encounters you’ve had? Did they have a backbone? Remember: We said memorable, not necessarily enjoyable.

Tag @scubadivingmag and #MegaVsMicroCritters; we want to hear your stories!

This has been a check-in on the Dive Resort Ambassador Popularity Contest. We now return you to your regularly scheduled readings.