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Different Animals in Tide Pools

Tide pools form when the ocean retreats to leave rocky pools of seawater. They are therefore commonly found at low tide. Tide pools are home to many unique animals that have adapted to the constantly changing environment of a tide pool. These animals have to cope with fluctuating water temperature and oxygen levels, large waves, strong currents, exposure to the sun and exposure to predators such as gulls.

Starfish
- Starfish are often found in tide pools.
  
  Starfish are also called sea stars because they are not actually fish -- they are echinoderms. About 2,000 species of starfish live in the oceans of the world including the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic and Antarctic. Starfish have the ability to regenerate missing limbs, although the extent varies among species. Starfish come in all shapes and sizes and feeding methods differ greatly. Mussels are a common staple in the starfish diet. Some species have unique feeding behavior such as suspension feeding, where they trap prey while floating in the water.
Mussels
- Saltwater mussels can survive in harsh conditions.
  
  Several families from both from saltwater and freshwater habitats are grouped under the name "mussel," including clams and mollusks. These families all have an elongated shell. The most common mussel family (Mytilidae) is often found on sea shores in intertidal zones, firmly attached to rocks. Some species have been known to colonize underwater fissures. Mussels' shells are commonly wedge-shaped, dark on the outside and silvery on the inside. Other members of the family include the freshwater pearl mussel, which inhabits lakes, ponds and rivers. Many live on exposed beaches and are physically tough creatures.
Sea Urchins
- Sea urchins are easily identifiable by their spine-covered bodies.
  
  Like starfish, sea urchins can be found in oceans all over the world. They commonly feed on algae and are generally a half-inch to 3 inches in diameter and protected by a spiny shell. The spines are movable and provide camouflage against predators. Sea urchins are commonly red, brown, purple, pink and black and are able to move slowly across the ocean floor with the aid of hundreds of tube feet. Their tube feet are also used to trap food.
Hermit Crabs
- A hermit crab occupies a conch shell.
  
  There are two hermit crab families: Paguridae and Coenobitidae. About 1,100 species of hermit crabs exist and most have have long, soft, curved abdomens unlike other crustaceans. They protect their vulnerable bodies by salvaging empty shells and carrying them around. As the crab grows it must salvage larger and larger shells, abandoning its previous homes, hence the name "hermit crab." In some species, when bigger shells become vacant, the crabs form a line, from smallest to biggest, and when the biggest crab takes up residence in the new shell, the next biggest crab moves into the biggest crab's shell, and so on down the line. Most species live in saltwater and can be found at different depths, from the shorelines to the bottom of the sea.

Nature