Ocean Habitats Ocean Zones Intertidal Zone Neritic Zone

Ocean Habitats

Ocean Zones Intertidal Zone Neritic Zone Open-Ocean Zone

Intertidal Zone Begins at the highest hightide line on land Ends at the point of lowest low-tide on the continental shelf “Photic” Zone

Marine Life: Intertidal Zone Sea Anemone Horseshoe Crab Hermit Crab Clam Sea Star Shrimp Snail

Neritic Zone Begins from the low-tide line of the continental shelf Ends at the edge of the continental shelf Coral Reefs “Photic Zone”

Marine Life: Neritic Zone Photosynthetic Bacteria and Algae Coral Tuna Fish Butterfly Fish Angel Fish

Open-Ocean Zone Lays beyond the continental shelf Only a small part receives sunlight Deepest, darkest part of the ocean

Zones in the Open-Ocean Surface Zone • Receives Sunlight • Mild Temperature Transition Zone • Change in Temperature Deep Zone • No Light • Cold Temperature • Extreme Water Pressure

Marine Life: Open-Ocean Zone Surface Zone: • Zooplankton, Krill Transition Zone: • Squid, Shrimp, Prawn Deep Zone: • Anglerfish, Viperfish, Vampire Squid, Black Dragonfish

Life in the Ocean Plankton Nekton Benthos

Plankton Tiny algae and animals Float Carried by waves and currents Ex. Diatoms, Tiny Young Fish, Microscopic Crustaceans (Copepods)

Nekton Free-swimming animals Move throughout water column Ex. Squid, Most Fish, Whales, Seals, Other Marine Mammals

Benthos Ocean Floor Some Move From Place to Place: • Ex. Crabs, Sea Stars, Octopus, Lobsters Some Stay in One Location Ex. Sponges, Sea Anemones