created by:

Deepa Patel

Intro

Are you ready for a walk around the seashore?

� � �There are different zones in which creatures are zoned in. The tide pools are in the intertidal zone. The intertidal zone is a narrow margin of immense productivity fringing the seashore. They are in rocky pools flooded and drained by waters that rise and fall with the tidal rhythms of sun and moon, invertebrates and small fish find shelter from predators--and beachcombers find a fascinating habitat to observe.

� � �If you are not familiar with the ocean, you may be surprised to find a small bay filled with water later transformed into a large stretch of beach with extensive tide pools. Tides are created by a combination of the effects of the moon and sun's gravitational forces and inertia. Gravity from the moon and sun pulls the water away from the earth's surface enough to create the tides. The moon has the greatest effect because it is much closer than the sun, which acts to reinforce the moon's gravitational pull when the moon is between the earth and sun in a new moon. When this happens, tides are much more exaggerated. When the earth is between the sun and the moon, the sun pulls water from one side of the earth while the moon pulls from the other side. In between these times, tides are not as extreme. Oregon and most of the Pacific coast have two uneven high tides and two uneven low tides, the highs usually followed by the lowest. The average of the lower tides is designated as the "0" from which the heights are measured. When the tide rises, food and oxygen are replenished, wastes are washed away, and temperature and salinity return to more tolerable levels. Tides generally come in and out every 13 hours � a long time for an ocean animal or plant to be exposed to air and sun.

� � �Crevices and thick growths of seaweed retain water during low tides, offering shelter from the elements and predators for the many free-ranging creatures of the intertidal zone. In order to survive, tide pool inhabitants must tolerate tremendous changes in moisture, temperature, salinity, and oxygen content. Barnacles confront these problems by tightly closing their shells, trapping enough moisture inside to survive until the tide rises to immerse them again. Anemones retract their tentacles, and some species even attach bits of broken shell and gravel to their bodies for protection from the sun. The marine plants and animals found on docks and pilings are specially adapted to this environment. Many attach themselves to hard surfaces (as larvae or spores) using special adhesive or attachment organs, and spend the rest of their lives in the same spot. These sedentary species depend on the sunlight, nutrients, and food particles that pass by. Other organisms are able to crawl or swim, and obtain food by grazing on or preying on the attached biota. Also, pounding surf threatens to wrench animals like limpets and snails from their strongholds. Plants must be firmly attached yet remain flexible, swaying with the powerful surges.

� � �You will discover that these amazing animals and plants are tough and well adapted to this way of life. Get ready for an adventure of learning interesting and amazing facts about Tide Pools.

Organisms

� � � � � � � � � � � �Sea Anemone

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Characteristic: Most Anemones are in a basic shape of a column with tentacles around the top of it and a hole in the center, being their digestive system. Some anemones have barbed strings, or nematocysts, on their tentacles with which they sting their prey. �Anemone bodies are divided into two primary layers known as the ectoderm (or epidermis) for the exterior, and the internal endoderm (or gastrodermis) connected by the mesoglea tissue. The internal gastric centre is also known as the cavity.

Research:They often stay in place for days and week but they also have two ways to move around. �One way is they move very slowly on their basal disc, that only the movements can be seen with special instruments. And the other ways is they inflate and let the waves and tides take them to another location. Generally located in between rock and crevices in the lower tides. They eat small fish and kranes by injecting them with a poison which is let out through their tentacles.

Classification: Kingdon Animalia, Class Anthozoa, Phylum Cnidarian, Order Actiniaria,

Scientific Names: �latin name- Anthopleura xanthogrammica, scientific name-Metridium senile

Pacific Henricia Star Fish

Scientific Name: 7.25"

Scientific Name: "Henricia leviuscula"

Size: 7.25"

Found: Rocky shores and offshore waters

Habitat: On and under rocks with growth of sponges, bryozoans, or algae, in protected places; from low-tide line to water 1320' (420 m) deeps.

Description: Radius 3.5 (92mm). Disk small. 5 long, slender, tapering arms usual, but may vary from 4-6. tan, yellow, orange, red, or purplish, usually spotted or mottled. often has fine network of short spinelets. Breeding habits in this sea star vary with size. Smaller females brood their eggs in a depression around the mouth formed by arching the arms. Larger female discharge eggs directly into the water and do not brood them.

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Stelleroidea

Subclass: Asteroidea

Sea Cucumber

Scientific Name: "Empentacta quinquesemita"

Size: 4"

Found: Rocky shore

Habitat: Under rocks and in crevices, in algal- and invertebrate-covered substrates; near low-tide line and below in shallow water.

Phylum: Echinodermata

Class: Holothuroidea

Description: Cucumber-shaped. White or cream-colored with yellow tentacles. Body cylindrical, tapered at ends; 10 short, bushy tentacles around mouth; 5 rows of stiff, nonretractable tube feet. This species, common in shallow water of both outer coast and cleans harbors, is eaten by several spieces of sea stars.�

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