Plus, the ecosystem would be greatly changed if everyone took something when they visited. It can be easy to lose track of the time while exploring the tide pools but you don’t want to get stuck! Keeping an eye on your surroundings can help but there are resources available to know when the tides change.ĭon’t take home any souvenirs! A shell, animal, or rock could be a cool thing to bring home but doing so would greatly affect the ecosystem, as they’re all integral parts of the tide pools and intertidal marine environment. Keep the following tips in mind when visiting tide pools (and beaches in general!) to keep the ecosystems and animals healthy.īe mindful of the tides. These tips are for your safety and for the tide pools! Many species call tide pools and surrounding intertidal environments home and are sensitive to human interaction. There is some etiquette to keep in mind when you’re interacting with tide pools. The species found in intertidal zones will depend, in part, on high and low tides but include animals like seals, sea lions, shorebirds, starfish, mussels, and so much more. These zones include steep and rocky ledges, sandy beaches, mudflaps, and estuaries. Tide pools exist within intertidal zones, which are areas where the ocean meets the land. Being able to cling to rocks is a vital survival tactic for many marine animals that live in or around tide pools. For example, barnacles are able to produce some of the most powerful glue because it allows them to stay put. This prevents any crashing waves or predators from moving them. During high tide, on the other hand, the pools and marine life are bathed in seawater but also have to deal with crashing waves and fish foraging for food while they temporarily access the shoreline.īecause of these conditions, many marine animals in tide pools will cling to rocks. During low tide, those in the pools have to deal with hours of sun exposure, potential predators, and more. What Is A Tide Pool? from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationĪnimals like snails, crabs, anemones, sea stars, small fish, barnacles, and more can be found in tide pools.Others can be a few feet across and a few feet deep. Some are only a few inches wide and are shallow. During low tide, these small basins are filled with seawater and animals but can vary in size. These depressions, usually within large rocks, are filled with seawater and animals as the ocean tide comes and goes. Tide pools are found along the shorelines of rock coasts, meaning that there are plenty on the Pacific Northwest coast. I grew up just a mile away from Bellingham Bay, just a few miles away from Larrabee State Park in Washington, and my family went on many day and overnight trips along the Washington coast, which meant I had so many experiences with tide pools! What Are Tide Pools? One of my favorite activities as a child was going to visit and interact with tide pools on different beaches.
This post is from May 2019 and now includes a few updates and new videos!
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