There are two meanings for spiracle: 1. An opening which allows a fish to breathe. 2. The part of a shark egg case which attaches the egg to something so it doesn't float away.
Large algae that grow in the sea or on rocks on the sea shore. Seaweed can be red, brown, or green, and you will often find it washed up on the sea shore.
A very large tropical shark which usually swims close to the surface. It is the largest known fish and feeds on tiny floating animals called plankton.
Sea animals that stay in one place their whole life. Some coral produce a colourful skeleton (which is also called coral) that will remain after they die. Coral are often found grouped in large areas called coral reefs, and they are related to sea anemones and jellyfish.
Crayfish, or kōura in Māori, are also called Spiny Rock Lobster. They are a creature with long antennae, no claws, and a hard 'exoskeleton' or shell which they need to cast off in order to grow bigger. In some areas it is customary for Māori to make sure that the kōura has all of it's limbs when taken. Why? If a kōura loses a leg or antenna when it is taken, other kōura might see that as a reason to leave the area!
A prickly fish that puffs itself up to scare away predators by swallowing water or air. It is often poisonous.
Young Ocean Explorers
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Warkworth
, 0941
New Zealand
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