The rocky shore is a difficult place to live, yet some of the largest and most diverse populations of marine plants and animals can be found here. Explore how these animals have many different adaptations to protect themselves and find food.
After exploring how animals “live on the edge” discover how seaweeds and microscopic plants produce the basic food of the ocean using the sun's energy. Seaweeds then provide food for such grazers as snails, sea hares and urchins. In the rocky shore, sponges, sea squirts, mussels, fanworms and barnacles filter tiny food particles from the water. Sea anemones and their relatives are hungry predators. These animals, in turn, are eaten by the flamboyant nudibranch slugs and other snails.
The richest habitat along our Californian rocky shores is the kelp forest. Kelp grows up to two feet a day and provides food and shelter for many other plants and animals.
Hunters of the seashore capture their prey in different ways. Sea stars use hundreds of tube feet. Worms and snails may drill or harpoon their prey, while some crabs use powerful crushing claws.
While visiting the touch tank you can experience a variety of rocky shore marine life such as a sea star or a prickly urchin. The touch tank expert will teach you the names and special traits of the marine life as well as answer any of your questions. |
