PHYTOPLANKTON photo = light phyto = plant-like plankton = free floating PHYTOPLANKTON Phytoplankton use photosynthesis to make food using energy from the sun!

… more PHYTOPLANKTON

… and even more PHYTOPLANKTON!

ZOOPLANKTON ZOO = animal PLANKTON = free floating These tiny animals CANNOT make their own food using sunlight! They are CONSUMERS!!! What do you think they eat? ZOO = animal PLANKTON = free floating

…sometimes called the “hedgehog of the sea.” SEA URCHINS …belong to the phylum Echinodermata, along with starfish, sea cucumbers, and crinoids.

Sea urchins have the longest spines of any echinoderm, and these spines are often poisonous! The mouth of a sea urchin is surrounded by spines and a set of sharp teeth.

Sea Otter snacking on a sea urchin!

Otters anchor themselves in sea kelp Otters anchor themselves in sea kelp. These images show what a kelp forest looks like.

Triggerfish are sometimes affectionately referred to as Clown Triggerfish Triggerfish are sometimes affectionately referred to as “saltwater piranhas!”

Queen Triggerfish Picasso Triggerfish Triggerfish use a “puff” or jet of water to uncover their prey (buried sea urchins, sand dollars, etc.). Their eyes are set back from their mouth to avoid injury when dining on urchins and other spiny feasts! Picasso Triggerfish When alarmed, triggerfish dart into coral or rock crevices and cock their spines to wedge themselves into place. The first spine, the longer of the two, can be locked into an erect position when the second spine moves forward. The second spine acts as a trigger; it must be released before the large spine can be depressed. Queen Triggerfish

Blue Triggerfish

Lemon Shark