Ecosystems: Comparing Your Tidepool Creature

Ecosystems: Comparing Your Tidepool Creature

Complete the following activity for the tide pool creature that you created. Compare your creature with an example of an organism that lives in the environment. Choose the real organism that is most similar to your created creature for the comparison. Complete the following information before you proceed:

Name of the real organism to which you are comparing:

Now, complete the chart below.

Traits

Shelk

Sea Turtle

Obtains Energy

Shelks eat producers, such as coral, moss, seaweed, etc, to obtain energy. They also eat small fish and walk around on land in the sun, soaking up some energy.

Sea turtles eat fish and plants, gaining energy.

Obtains Oxygen

Shelks can survive above and below the water's surface. They have bodies similar to frogs and turtles and can breath air as well as water.

Sea turtles can also survive above and below the water.

Reproduces

They reproduce sexually. Females carry and produce the eggs. They can have up to about 100 eggs.

Sea Turtle's are about the same in ways of reproducing. They lay many eggs and the females carry and produce them.

Moves

The shelk swims below the water, propelling itself with four fins and a small tail. They move rather slowly, but have a lot of energy and can easily cover miles within a short time. Above water, shelks move at a slow pace, as their shell weighs down on their small body, and are often found resting inside their shells.

Sea Turtle's move in about the same way. They swim through the water using their legs/fins and walk slowly among the surface.

Shelter

Wherever they want to live, they live. They can survive in virtually any environment and have their shells to protect them from heat, cold, and potential dangers.

Sea turtles usually live near or under the water's surface.

Protection

They use their shells as protection. It is hard and sturdy, like armor, and also can camouflage.

Turtle's use their shells as protection.

Other Adaptations

Many sharp teeth help these creatures hunt and attack their prey. They can quietly sneak up on them and attack.