Do you remember when we first met? I told you that I live in a neighborhood made of coral reef. I was swimming along today and I found another type of neighborhood. This is a place made by people for marine animals to visit. It is called an artificial reef.
Artificial reef – an underwater structure people make to provide food and shelter for marine life.
Just like natural reefs, people enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and diving near artificial reefs. It is a good way to see animals who live in the ocean.
There are several artificial reefs of the coast of this location. Many were made in the shape of animals. My personal favorite is Turtle Reef!
I also enjoy swimming through Dolphin and Seahorse reefs.
Did you figure out where I was visiting artificial reefs?
I’m off the coast of Destin Florida!
The South Walton Artificial Reef Association (SWARA) is responsible for making these amazing reefs. Marine animals and humans can enjoy them. They are close to the shore so they are easy to swim, kayak, or paddle board to.
If you visit a beach in this Gulf Coast area, bring your snorkel!
Brr! I don’t know where I am but it’s very cold here! I swam south for a long time. I’m at a continent that is almost completely covered in ice.
Continent – large continuous piece of land
Emperor Penguins love the cold
Continents are so large, there are only 7 of them on Earth. How many of them can you name?
Guess what! I met a new friend. His name is Rocky. He’s a penguin. He’s not like any penguin I’ve ever seen before. He is so BIG! In fact, these giant penguins are all I see. Rocky has many friends and family! They are the only thing I see.
As much as I like hanging out with Rocky, I don’t think I will stay here. It’s too cold for this girl from Hawaii.
Could you please tell me where I am so I can swim to a warmer place soon?
Can you point to each of the 7 continents? Photo Rand McNally Junior Classroom Atlas of the World
This continent is covered in ice. I am in Antarctica! Did you guess it?
Antarctica is in the south pole. Even though I swam south, I went far away from the equator.
Equator – imaginary line that goes around Earth. It divides the earth from north to south.
Antarctica is the coldest continent on Earth. It has no direct sunlight and can get as cold as -82 degrees Fahrenheit. In case you missed it, that’s MINUS 82! It is covered in ice and very few animals can live here because it so cold.
Rocky says, “Hello, welcome to my ice!” Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
You know who can live here? Rocky, the Emperor Penguin. Emperor Penguins are the largest penguins on Earth. They can grow to be almost 4 feet tall and up to 100 lbs. Now that’s a big penguin.
It is almost time for us to ring in 2022! Many people have a New Year’s Resolution.
Resolution – a decision to do something or stop doing something
If you are looking for a New Year’s Resolution, I have some ideas for you. Sea Turtles are endangered species. That means we are at risk for extinction. Extinction means that once the last animal of that species dies, they are gone forever.
Endangered – at risk of extinction Extinction – the dying out of a species
There are many reasons for Sea Turtles to become endangered.
I met a new friend on my way back up from the deep ocean. Before I tell you who I’m with, I will give you a hint.
Bwa-ha-ha. Happy Halloween!
His name has something in common with the guy in the picture above. It’s a big name for a small animal. He is usually less than 1 foot long. He has webbing between his eight legs. There are spines along his legs. They make this animal look even scarier!
He lives in the deep, dark sea. He has organs that produce light. When a predator approaches him, he can flash the light from those organs. This helps to distract the predator so he can swim away. He has very big eyes, which also help him see in the dark.
Predator – an animal that attacks another animal, usually for food. Photophores – organs that produce light.
He can also turn inside out to protect himself. This puts those spines on the outside to keep attackers away!
Scary spines!
Who do you think I’m with? Can you use the clues I gave you to figure out what he is called? I’ll give you the answer soon. Happy hunting!
Did you figure out who I am with? Let’s think about the clues. He has 8 legs. He has a name in common with a vampire. He lives in the deep dark ocean. And he has photophores, organs that make light.
I’m spending Halloween with a Vampire Squid! Despite his name, he is not truly a squid. He is an animal called a cephalopod. Cephalopod – a marine animal characterized by a large head and tentacles.
Vampire Squid wikimedia
They can be different colors. Some are light red. The black ones give you a good idea where they got their name! Their big eyes help them see in the dark pelagic zone of the ocean. They can turn themselves inside out when approached by a predator. This helps protect them by putting their spines out toward the threat. This makes them appear more menacing. Would you want to mess with this guy?
Check out this video by National Geographic to see a vampire squid turn himself inside out. If you pay close attention, you will see him wink at you, too! I hope you had a spooky Halloween! We’ll talk soon, Love Kit.
There are many types of sea turtles. I look a lot like my cousin, the Hawksbill sea turtle. The easiest way to tell the difference is by our beaks. The Hawksbill has a pointy, sharp beak. My beak is smoother and shorter. Can you see the difference?
Living in the sea is wonderful. There are so many types of fish and animals. It’s very colorful. The place I live is called a coral reef. It’s like an underwater neighborhood.
Many animals live in a coral reef. Most of them are called invertebrates. (In-VER-tu-brits).
Invertebrates– living animals that have no spine. Jellyfish, starfish, sponges, shrimp, and snails are all invertebrates.
Many animals swim around coral reefs. Tiny fish, lobsters, sea turtles, large fish, even sharks!
I decided that the world is a big place. I want to see more of it! Swimming around with all the other animals is fun. But I want to see more than just my neighborhood.
So I made a wish. I closed my eyes really tight and wished to be somewhere else. It worked! When I opened my eyes, I found myself here. But I don’t know where here is. I guess you could say I’m lost.
Will you travel with me and help me figure out where I am? Great! Let’s go!
Click on Follow Kit to hear from Kit when she gets to a new place!
Kit the Sea Turtle 