![]() ![]() If you try to reach out and touch the sea urchin in a tide pool, chances are pretty good you’ll regret it. While most barnacles inhabit shallow waters in the intertidal zone, some species have been found at depths of 2,000 feet. You might think them related to bi-valves, as they often share space with mussels and clams on their rocky homes, but the barnacle is an arthropod more closely related to crabs and lobsters. ![]() Perhaps the most ubiquitous marine creature of tide pools is the barnacle, whose numbers can swell into the hundreds in a relatively small area. Like corals (a close relation), many anemones harbor single-celled algae that provide much of their energy in exchange for protection in a harmonious symbiotic relationship. Anemones are filter feeders, catching tiny bits of plankton and even small snails and fish with their tentacles and bringing it into the central mouth. ![]() When the starfish isn’t stealing the show, the reaching tendrils of the anemone can be a fascinating thing to watch in a tide pool. Starfish are considered a keystone species in most marine ecosystems because the variety of their diet and ability to adapt to different environments results in greater species diversity. These invertebrates feed on microalgae, bivalves, snails, and sponges - all of which are readily available within the confines of a tide pool. StarfishĮchinoderms make up the majority of marine creatures of tide pools, and the starfish seems to always take center stage. While a variety of marine organisms call tide pools home both permanently and temporarily, we’re going to take a look at just five that are most commonly seen within these habitats. These pools form primarily along rocky coastlines, where plenty of crags and crevices provide the perfect habitat for creatures large and small. Tide pools are quite literally what their names describe: pools that form in relation to the oceanic tide. One of the best ways to expose kids to marine life and the ocean environment is through tide pools. ![]()
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