Tide pools are exposed to the water's ebb and flow, and plants and animals must adapt to survive wave turbulence, desiccation stress, predation, and competition for space and food. These pools are usually only a few inches deep but house many marine creatures. Seaweed is a type of algae that can frequently be seen along seashores. The Pacific octopus also makes the tidepool home. Giant green anemones fold in their tentacles and stick tiny shells on their bodies. This is used for protection, or to prevent desiccation as the tide pool water recedes. If you try to reach out and touch the sea urchin in a tide pool, chances are pretty good you’ll regret it. There are sometimes fish trapped in the pools as well. Marine molluscs or chitons, with about 940 recognized species, are incredibly successful in the tidal zone, and are rarely found outside of it. But even tide pools with all their nooks and crannies have a limited amount of space to offer their inhabitants. Coast Highway Laguna Beach, California 92651. They can be found worldwide in pretty much all benthic marine habitats down to a depth of about 2,500 meters. Join the host and experts as they explore this fascinating world. A Visit to the Tide Pools at Cabrillo National Monument. Their name comes from the Greek words nudi meaning ânakedâ, and branch meaning âgill.â The frilly structure on their back are their exposed gills, while the pair of âearsâ are rhinophores â structures that can sense chemicals and pheromones in the water. 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. Tide pools are quite literally what their names describe: pools that form in relation to the oceanic tide. The water in tide pools changes every time the tide rises to cover them. It is found in the rocky intertidal on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America. Some animals, like crabs and marine snails and bivalves, have thick, tough outer coverings to slow evaporation. Predators of this abundant group include sea otters, although if the snails can avoid predation they can live for up to 200 years! All the animals are adapted to feed and breed during the few hours when they are covered by the tide. Some animals that live in tide pools have hard shells for protection. Some brown algae species commonly found in the littoral zone include: sea potato (Leathesia spp.) During low tide, those in the pools have to deal with hours of sun exposure, potential predators, and more. Crabs must be on high alert even if they are preying on something else, as seabirds are always scanning for a tasty crab leg snack! Tide pool animals are very well adapted to their ever-changing world of sand and surf. Oftentimes, gently searching through algae will reveal one, although there are also several that are simply too small to be seen with the naked eye.