Hobbies And Interests

Tide Pool Species

Tide pools are rocky alcoves that are left filled with sea water when the tide recedes. This miniature marine ecosystem is teeming with a variety of fish, crustaceans, invertebrates and oceanic flora. Within this sea floor habitat, animals must withstand strong ocean currents, fluctuating water levels and salinity, and exposure to prey animals that find tidal pools easy access to a free meal.
  1. Tidal Pools

    • Tidal pools are multilevel and consist of the high tide zone, the mid tide zone and the low tide zone. The low and mid tide zones hold tidal pools, while the high tide zone does not retain water and only houses rocky surface dwellers.

      Animals that need to stay submerged inhabit the lowest part of the tidal pool. Sea creatures that can live both under and above water exist at the mid-level range, and because the high tidal zone is such a harsh environment of turbulent water and temperature extremes, only a few shells, mollusks and crabs can survive there.

    High Tide Zone

    • The high tide zone, also called the upper mid-littoral zone or the high intertidal zone, houses barnacles, chitons, whelks, mussels and mollusks. These marine organisms all remain fixed to the rocky outcrop, and can live in or out of the water. Crabs, green algae, isopods, snails, arthropods and rock weed move freely about the high tidal zone, and can survive out of the water for extended periods between tides. Anemones and sea stars can inhabit this range, but will follow the tide when it recedes.

    Mid Level Tide Zone

    • Many of the marine organisms that exist at the high tidal zone also live at the mid zone, but this level also includes marine species that prefer to stay submerged. The mid tidal zone, also known as the mid-littoral zone, is the area of a tide pool that is covered and uncovered by water twice daily. Animals that live in the upper regions of this level and need water to survive can encapsulate the moisture necessary to their survival. They can close off their shells to retain water. These animals include barnacles, clams, oysters, snails, limpets, mussels and chitons. Animals at the mid level range that count on the water left behind with the receding tide are sea stars, anemones, sea urchins and crabs. Marine flora species that exist at this level include algae and sea lettuce.

    Low Level Tide Zone

    • The lowest fringe of a tide pool is called lower level zone, also known as the lower littoral zone. This area is usually underwater, drying only at times of extreme low tides. Marine species that live here are not accustomed to extended periods of dryness, and will perish if exposed for too long. Some of the organisms in this area are abalone, anemones, chitons, crabs, hydroids, isopods, limpets, mussels, nudibranchs, sculpin, sea cucumber, sea stars, sea urchins, shrimp, snails, some small fish species, sponges, tube worms and whelks. Ocean flora at this level include brown seaweed, green algae, sea lettuce, sea palms and sea grass.


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