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Abalone
Haliotis sp.
Young abalone with a shell size of less than 3 cm take shelter within the spines of sea urchins for protection. |
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Bat Star
Asterina miniata
When two bat stars bump into each other they begin a slow-motion “arm wrestling” match. Each sea star tries to get its arm on top of the other’s arm. |
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Bluebanded Goby
Lythrypnus dalli
These peaceful fish are often territorial with members of their own species. |
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Bocaccio
Sebastes paucispinis
The bocaccio can live up to 45 years. |
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California Scorpionfish
Scorpaena guttata
The California scorpionfish has venom in its spines. |
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California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
Sea lions use their long front flippers to steer and propel themselves through the water. |
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California Spiny Lobster
Panulirus interruptus
California Lobsters do not have front claws. |
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Garibaldi
Hypsypops rubicundus
Garibaldi is the California State marine fish. |
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Garibaldi, juvenile
Hypsypops rubicundus
Garibaldi is the California State marine fish. |
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Giant Kelp
Macrocystis pyrifera
Under ideal conditions, giant kelp can grow about two feet a day. |
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Giant Kelpfish
Heterostichus rostratus
The giant kelpfish can quickly change color during courtship or territorial displays. |
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Giant Sea Bass
Stereolepis gigas
This fish is huge, growing over 7.5 feet long and weighing over 500 pounds. |
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Green Sea Anemone
Anthopleura xanthogrammica
Some fishes develop resistance to the green anemone's sting by covering themselves with mucus. |
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Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
The Harbor seal is the most widely distributed species of pinniped. |
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Hermit Crab
Pagurus sp.
Hermit crabs protect their rear ends by hiding it in a snail shell. |
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Horn Shark
Heterodontus francisci
The female horn shark lays a distinctive spiral-shaped egg case. |
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Kelp Bass
Paralabrax clathratus
Kelp bass reproduce by spawning (release egg and sperm into the water column) and form large aggregations in the summer months. |
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Leopard Shark
Triakis semifasciata
Leopard sharks are bottom feeders and are named because of their stripes. |
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Masking Crab
Loxorhynchus crispatus
The masking crab decorates itself with bits of algae, sponges and bryozoans. |
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Moray Eel
Gymnothorax mordax
This eel's favorite prey is the octopus. |
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Norris' Top Snail
Norrisia norrisi
These snails travel up and down kelp every day. |
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Purple Sea Urchin
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
Sea urchins have tube feet, which they use for attachment, locomotion and feeding. |
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Sargo
Anisotremus davidsoni
The sargo is the largest of the Pacific grunts. |
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Southern Sea Otter
Enhydra lutris nereis
Sea otters do not have blubber to keep warm, instead they have very dense fur (up to one million hairs per square inch). |
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Swell Shark
Cephaloscyllium ventriosum
When stressed, the swell shark can “swell” by inflating its stomach by swallowing water. |
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Western Gull
Larus occidentalis
The Western gull typically lives about 15 years, but can live to at least 25 years. |
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White Seabass
Atractoscion nobilis
The white seabass is the largest species of croaker in California. |
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