| A tidal pool is a pool of water remaining after the | | | | conditions that come with the changing of tides |
| tide has gone back out. It is also referred to as a | | | | every day. They must be adapted for both wet |
| tide pool or a rock pool. They can be small and | | | | and dry conditions. Usual inhabitants of tidal pools |
| shallow or large and deep. The small ones are | | | | include sea anemones, barnacles, crabs, isopods, |
| generally found far back on the seashore, and the | | | | limpets, mussels, sea stars, snails, and whelks. |
| larger ones are closer to the sea. Tide pools are | | | | The tides carry fresh oxygen and food to the |
| formed when a high tide comes in over a rocky | | | | pools two times a day. Between tides, some of |
| seashore. Water fills depressions in the ground, | | | | the small-sized pools become warm and start to |
| which get converted into secluded pools as the | | | | dry up. In such situations, the animals hide under |
| tide retreats. This procedure, recurring twice a | | | | rocks and seaweed. Sessile creatures, such as |
| day, refills the seawater in what otherwise might | | | | barnacles and sea anemones, are able to seal |
| become a stagnant pool. | | | | themselves off, or retract their appendages, in |
| The area that is covered by a high tide and | | | | order to save water while exposed to air. Some |
| uncovered by a low tide is described as an | | | | deeper pools do not dry out totally between tides |
| inter-tidal zone, or foreshore. This area is often | | | | and can harbor small fish. |
| further separated into different zones according | | | | It is recommended not to disturb animals in a tide |
| to the life forms that live there. | | | | pool, as it can be hazardous to them. Even |
| Organisms residing in tidal pools must be well | | | | seaweed, if moved, can expose tiny creatures |
| adapted to adjust to the radical variations in | | | | underneath that can die in the direct sun. |