OCEAN ANIMALSBy:

Mrs. Ashbaugh’s 2nd Grade Class

AMERICAN LOBSTERAmerican lobsters are a type of crustacean. They are related to crabs and shrimp. Crustaceans are protected by a hard shell or exoskeleton on the outside of their body.

AMERICAN LOBSTERThe American lobster’s shell color is a mix of brown, green and red. These lobsters can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh up to 40 pounds or more.

AMERICAN LOBSTERAmerican lobsters also have two very large front claws which they use to grab things with and defend themselves. Their predators are large fish, other lobsters, seals and humans.

AMERICAN LOBSTERAmerican lobsters live on the rocky or sandy ocean floor of the northern Atlantic Ocean where they eat fish, crabs, clams, mussels, sea urchins, and starfish. These lobsters can live up to 60 years or more.

LEAFY SEA DRAGONLeafy sea dragons are a type of fish. They are related to seahorses and pipefish. 

LEAFY SEA DRAGONThese fish have a yellow, brown, and green body which looks like seaweed. They also have a long pipe-like snout which they use to eat with. Leafy sea dragons grow to be 18 to 20 inches long.

LEAFY SEA DRAGONSince they look like seaweed, it is very easy for them to blend into their background to hide from enemies. Larger fish are predators of leafy sea dragons.

LEAFY SEA DRAGONLeafy sea dragons live in sea grass beds and rocky or sandy areas of the Pacific Ocean where they eat plankton and shrimp. These sea creatures live about 5 to 10 years.

BLUE WHALEBlue whales are the largest mammals on Earth. These whales can grow to be 80 to 105 feet long and weigh up to 200 tons.

BLUE WHALEBlue whales have a wide, flat head and a long blue-grey body with two blowholes on their back which they use to breathe.

BLUE WHALEBlue whales are a part of a toothless group of whales called baleen whales. These whales have something in their mouth called baleen which acts like a filter.  The baleen strains their food from the ocean water.

BLUE WHALEBlue whales live in very deep water in all of the world’s oceans where they feed on krill, plankton, and small fish. These huge sea creatures can live 80 to 90 years.

MOON JELLYMoon jellies are a type of jellyfish.  They are related to sea anemones and coral.

MOON JELLYLike all jellyfish, moon jellies have no brain, heart, or bones. Their bodies are made up of mostly water.  Moon jellies can grow up to 15 inches wide.

MOON JELLYMoon jellies swim around by opening and closing their bodies. They have long string-like tentacles which they use to sting their prey. 

MOON JELLYThese sea animals live in bays or harbors of warm oceans where they feed on small shrimp, plankton, and fish eggs. Moon jellies only live about 3 to 6 months.

SAND TIGER SHARKSand tiger sharks are a type of fish.  They are related to skates, rays, and other types of sharks. 

SAND TIGER SHARKSand tiger sharks have large, brownish-grey bodies with a flattened, cone-shaped snout. These sharks grow to be 4 to 10 feet long and weigh 800 to 1,400 pounds.

SAND TIGER SHARKSand tiger sharks have very sharp teeth that stick out even when their mouth is closed which helps to scare off predators. Their predators are larger sharks and humans.

SAND TIGER SHARKSand tiger sharks live in coral or rocky reefs of warm oceans where they feed on fish, squids, crabs and lobsters.These sharks usually live 15 years or more.

SEA STARSea stars, also known as starfish, are a type of echinoderm.  They are related to sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers. 

SEA STARMost sea stars have five arms but some have a lot more. They can grow up to 4 feet wide and come in a variety of different colors.

SEA STARThey also have very hard, bony spines on the outside of their bodies which help protect them from enemies. Their predators are sharks, rays, and large bony fish.

SEA STARThey live in coral reefs, kelp forests, and on the rocky or sandy ocean floor of all the world’s oceans where they feed on clams, oysters, and other shellfish. Sea stars can live up to 35 years.

COWNOSE RAYCownose rays are a type of fish. They are related to skates, sharks, and other types of rays.  

COWNOSE RAYThese fish have a flat, brown body with a white or yellow belly.  They grow up to 36 inches wide and weigh 26 to 36 pounds.

COWNOSE RAYJust like all rays, they have a sharp stinger on their tail which they use to defend themselves from predators. Their predators are hammerhead and bull sharks.

COWNOSE RAYCownose rays live in the Atlantic Ocean near the coastlinewhere they eat oysters, clams, snails, and crabs.They live about 13 to 18 years.

GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUSThe giant Pacific octopus is a type of mollusk. It is related to clams, oysters, squids, and nautilus.

GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUSThis sea creature has 8 arms called tentacles which are very strong and can move objects that weigh more than 700 pounds.  It also has very good eyesight.

GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUSThis octopus can change colors to blend in with its background to hide from predators. Its predators are eels, halibut, seals, and otters.

GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUSThe giant Pacific octopus is found in rocky areas, caves, and kelp forests in the northern Pacific Ocean where it feeds on fish, shrimp, crabs, scallops, clams, and other shellfish. This octopus can live 1 to 5 years.

BOTTLE-NOSE DOLPHINBottlenose dolphins are mammals.  They are related to whales and porpoises. They have a long body with slippery skin and a blowhole which they use to breathe air.

BOTTLE-NOSE DOLPHINThese dolphins are light to dark grey with a white belly.  They can grow 8 to 14 feet long and can weigh up to 1,100 pounds.

BOTTLE-NOSE DOLPHINBottle-nose dolphins live in warm oceans all over the world where they feed on fish, squids, and shrimp. These dolphins live about 20 to 45 years.

GREEN SEA TURTLEGreen sea turtles are reptiles.  They are related to other sea turtles such as loggerheads and leatherbacks. 

GREEN SEA TURTLEThey have a smooth, wide brown or olive green shell.  Green sea turtles can grow up to 5 feet long and weigh up to 700 pounds.

GREEN SEA TURTLEGreen sea turtles have flippers that look like paddles which make them very good swimmers. They need to swim fast to get away from their enemies. Tiger sharks and humans are predators of these animals.

GREEN SEA TURTLEGreen sea turtles live in coral reefs and sea grass beds in warm oceans where they eat sea grass, algae, crabs, jellyfish, and sponges. These sea turtles live 80 to 100 years or more.