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

2. … more PHYTOPLANKTON

3. … and even more PHYTOPLANKTON!

4. 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

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

6. 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.

7. Sea Otter snacking on a sea urchin!

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

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

10. 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

11. Blue Triggerfish

12. Lemon Shark