No Strings Attached

Adaptations in the intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: In the intertidal zone organisms are exposed to periods of varying moisture, sunlight, and wave forces. Many organisms have specialized structures or behaviors that allow them to live in this constantly changing and often harsh environment.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Anemone at the California rocky intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Anemones are carnivores and use their tentacles to move food into their mouths. Their tentacles contain stinging cells to kill prey. Sea anemones attach to rocks in lower and middle intertidal zones and are vulnerable to drying out.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Brown seaweeds wedged in a rock crevice

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: There are thousands of different seaweeds. Brown algae is common in the cool waters of California. The seaweed has thick cellulose walls and appears shiny and wet. Seaweed is tolerable to wave action but needs some moisture to survive.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Chiton from the California rocky intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Chitons have oval shaped, eight segment hard shells that provide protection for their soft shelled bodies. The plates of the shell allow for more flexible movement of the animal. The entire soft body is covered by the shell.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Chiton viewed from underneath

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: The muscular foot of the chiton serves the same purpose as that of the limpet. The foot allows the chiton to tightly grasp to the rocks to avoid being dislodged by waves.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Clustered acorn barnacles

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Acorn barnacles attach to rocks and scavenge on nutrients floating by. They have soft bodies that are protected by a hard outer shell. Acorn barnacles can survive in low moisture environments, such as the upper tide zone during low tide.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Crab and mossy chiton in the California rocky intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Crabs have eight legs, a hard exoskeleton, and two claws for eating. Chitons have eight segment shells, a strong muscular foot to grasp rocks, and use their radulas to eat algae. Crabs and chitons are found in the middle tide zone.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Hundreds of mussels attached to rocks in the rocky intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Mussels have two hard shells for protection and avoid drying out. When the shell is open, the bivalve extends its foot for digging or anchoring. Mussels need ocean water for food. They are found in lower and middle intertidal regions.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Limpet on a rock in the intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Limpets are small mollusks that contain hard, cone-shaped outer shells to protect and keep moist their soft bodies. The organisms can crawl into the shell if threatened. During low tide, limpets will move towards shady crevices to avoid drying out.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Limpet showing foot

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: The intertidal zone is subject to intense wave forces and the muscular foot allows limpets to tightly grasp the rocks.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Main zones of the intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: The intertidal zone is found where the tides rise and fall daily, alternatively submerging and exposing the shore to ocean water. Organisms must be able to tolerate times of intense sunlight, little moisture, and wave forces.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Marine worm at the California intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Marine worms swim among seaweed and plankton. They are found in the low tide regions and must have adequate moisture to survive.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
SubTopics:: Animals and Insects
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Octopus in the California rocky intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Octopuses are found in low tide regions under rocks. They use their beaklike jaws to bite prey and inject poison into the prey. They are particularly sensitive to drying out.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Purple sea urchin swarm

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Sea urchins live in low tide regions and eat seaweed. Urchins have no arms but have five rows of tube feet for movement. They are found in holes and use their spines for protection and to burrow into the rocks.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Rock covered in red algae

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Red algae lack flagella. Algae are very important in marine ecosystems because they provide nutrients and shelter to many marine invertebrates. Algae are found in all zones of the intertidal zones.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Sea anemone at the California rocky intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: The tentacles of the sea anemone contain stinging cells that may eject poison to kill prey and also defend against predators. The sea anemone uses its tentacles to move food into the mouth.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Sea anemone exposed at low tide

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Sea anemones are sensitive to drying out. To avoid drying out during low tide and periods of intense sunlight, the anemones roll up to keep their tentacles moist. The outer body of the anemone is thick and tolerant of heat.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Sea stars

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Sea stars live in low tide areas and eat both plants and animals. On the underside of sea stars' arms are tube feet which use water and muscular forces to suction to rocks, move, and capture prey.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Seaweed hidden wedged in a rock crevice

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: Seaweeds are vulnerable to desiccation when exposed during low tide. They attach themselves in crevices to trap moisture. Their thick cell walls also trap moisture for the organism, which is why seaweeds appear slimy and wet.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

No Strings Attached

Shore view of the California rocky intertidal zone

(Complete Item Description)

Abstract:: The intertidal zone is found where the tides rise and fall daily, alternatively submerging and exposing the shore to ocean water. Organisms are exposed to periods of varying moisture, sunlight, and wave forces.

Subject:: Science and Technology
Grade Level:: Primary, Secondary
Collection:: Video and Image Data Access

Browse: Keyword: Intertidal Zones

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Adaptations in the intertidal zone

Anemone at the California rocky intertidal zone

Brown seaweeds wedged in a rock crevice

Chiton from the California rocky intertidal zone

Chiton viewed from underneath

Clustered acorn barnacles

Crab and mossy chiton in the California rocky intertidal zone

Hundreds of mussels attached to rocks in the rocky intertidal zone

Limpet on a rock in the intertidal zone

Limpet showing foot

Main zones of the intertidal zone

Marine worm at the California intertidal zone

Octopus in the California rocky intertidal zone

Purple sea urchin swarm

Rock covered in red algae

Sea anemone at the California rocky intertidal zone

Sea anemone exposed at low tide

Sea stars

Seaweed hidden wedged in a rock crevice

Shore view of the California rocky intertidal zone

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Browse: Keyword: Intertidal Zones

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