Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

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1 Attach ticket stub here Name Due Date: Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific Date BC students go as a group: Cost w/bc group: If you attend on your own: $25.95; ages 3-11 yrs $ (Prices subject to change.) Parking is usually $8 with ticket stub, but may be more, depending on date. Check ahead online at Save your aquarium ticket stub and attach to this worksheet. If you go with the Biology dept field trip, stamp your worksheet at one of the marine life stamp machines around the aquarium. Directions from Bakersfield College are attached (back page). **If you are attending with the BC Biology Dept group, you will enter through a side gate. Go inside Great hall and start at the main aquarium entrance. You may move at your own pace through the aquarium. Pick up a Visitor s Guide w/a map at the information desk by the front door. Then try to follow the general pathway described below, starting from the front entrance. Take a break to eat lunch or sit and enjoy a particularly beautiful exhibit. Refer to the APPENDIX at the back of this worksheet for the phylum and class names and characteristics. Changing Exhibit Gallery (across from Visitor Information desk near main entrance) This exhibit changes on a regular basis. 1. What is the topic of this gallery today? 2. Find three important aspects of this exhibit and explain them. 1

2 2. (Continued) -- Great Hall of the Pacific Exhibits Tropical Pacific Preview 3. Coral reefs are the largest natural structures on earth. How does the reef benefit the organisms that live there? 4. What are Pacific Island nations doing to help conserve the coral? Blue Whale Look up at the life sized model of a Blue Whale. Characteristics: ft long (as long as a Boeing 737) Weighing between tons (160, ,000 pounds) Population: The Blue whale (Balaenopteridae) is endangered with a worldwide population of between 6 and 14,000. It was hunted nearly to extinction by the whaling industry. They have been seen regularly in the Santa Barbara channel in the last few years providing hope that they may be increasing in numbers. Identification: Mottled blue color, small dorsal fin found approximately 3/4 along the back from the head. 2

3 Behavior: The Blue Whale is a baleen (toothless) whale sieving tiny organisms from the water, collecting them with its tongue and swallowing them. Dives may be as deep as 490 feet. Incredible blow (spout) of 30 feet appears as a slender column. Protection: In 1966 international law placed the blue whale on the protected list. You may look at the information on the second floor overlooking the model now or later for this information. 5. What do blue whales eat and how do they eat it? Blue Cavern The Blue Cavern at the end of the hall represents a famous diving location on Catalina. Using the signs, identify as many different species as you can. 6. Which species appears to be the largest? 7. Name the different classes of vertebrates that are present (use appendix). 8. Why is the giant sea bass a success story? 3

4 Southern California/Baja Gallery Go to the right into the Kelp Forest. Follow the exhibit around. You should be able to identify the Kingdom and Phylum of all of the invertebrates in these displays. 9. Fill in the chart below as you move through this gallery (use appendix if necessary). Phylum Cnidaria Molluska Arthropoda Echinodermata Organism Common Name Scientific Name 10. What interactions do you see between kelp and other organisms of the amber forest communities? Don't miss the shark egg case and the mantis shrimp displays! 11. Where on the sea floor do crabs and lobsters take cover? 12. What are pinnacles? 13. Watch all segments of the video on the opposite wall from the Life on a Pinnacle exhibit. What is a marine sanctuary? How do these sanctuaries benefit marine life? How do they benefit science? 14. Name two marine animals whose population numbers are dwindling due to overconsumption by humans. 4

5 Walk through the underwater viewing of the Seals and Sea Lions and exit to the outside exhibits. Shark Lagoon Stop here and touch a ray or shark. 15. What animal did you touch and what did the skin feel like? Observe the sharks through the underwater viewing window. Lorikeets Spend a few minutes with the Lorikeets. No need to feed them just watch their behavior. 16. What is the main food source for these beautiful birds? Our Watersheds Observe the exhibit of Los Angeles area watersheds. 17. Where does the rainwater go? 18. Is current water usage in Southern California sustainable? Why or why not? Surf, Seals and Sea Lions Go up the stairs and observe the seals and sea lions. Stay for a show, if your timing is right. 19. To what Phylum do Sea Lions and Seals belong? Class? (Use appendix.) 20. On what California Island do 4 species of sea lions and seals breed? 5

6 June Keyes Penguin Habitat A World of Penguins (touch display) 21. In what hemisphere are penguins found? 22. Name 2 different penguin species and explain what they eat and what their nest is like. Southern California/Baja Gallery Enter the upstairs exhibit door and observe the various displays. 23. Just inside the door--where is the Sea of Cortes (Gulf of California)? Walk along the upper walkway and look at the changing pattern of California s water and climate. 24. What significant event happened during the Eocene Epoch ( MYA)? 15 MYA? 1.8MYA 11,500 years ago? 25. (From the video) What are 2 advantages of water wise landscaping? 6

7 Northern Pacific Gallery Now walk to the left and enter the Northern Pacific Gallery. Notice how the fish and seaweed move in the surge tanks. 26. How do the species living on the rocks survive in the wave-affected environment? Stop for a while at the diving bird display. These birds have some unique adaptations. Each species of bird on exhibit, while having similar lifestyles, have adapted with very unique niches. 27. Identify the birds in the exhibit. Which ones are present? 28. Read the display information on the wall. How does the shape of a Murre egg help the species survive? Sea Jellies (opposite the Murre egg exhibit) Observe these beautiful drifters for awhile. Most jellies belong to the phylum Cnidaria (Comb jellies belong to phylum Ctenophora). 29. What characteristics allow sea jellies to be classified in phylum Cnidaria (see appendix at back)? 30. What are their tentacles used for? 31. Circle any of the following necessary for movement: brain heart eyes 32. Are any of the above present in a jellyfish? 33. Are they present in an octopus? (Look for this answer in a later exhibit.) 7

8 34. Contrast the type of movement found in the phylum Cnidaria with that found in the phylum Molluska (seen in a later exhibit). Giant Pacific Octopus Walk forward to the corner octopus display. Observe the Giant Octopus. This animal is not advanced among the invertebrates and yet its eyes and behavior are very well developed. 35. Describe at least two adaptive characteristics that enable the octopus to be successful in its environment. Coastal Corner 36. Touch one invertebrate. What animal was it? What did it feel like? Sea Otter Habitat Observe the Sea Otters during an "enriched session" if possible (10:45AM, 2:15PM, 4:OOPM). 37. How do otters crack open their hard-shelled prey? 38. Why are otters a keystone species? 39. What contributed to the near extinction of this species? 40. What can you do to help protect sea otters? 8

Deep Waters the Twilight Zone Check out the Lion s Mane nudibranch. It uses its umbrella to trap prey. Look at the giant spider crabs, tanner crabs, and king crabs. 41. What phylum do these belong to?

9 Deep Waters the Twilight Zone Check out the Lion s Mane nudibranch. It uses its umbrella to trap prey. Look at the giant spider crabs, tanner crabs, and king crabs. 41. What phylum do these belong to? Now continue to the left to the incredible upstairs "Tropical Pacific" display. This is the final exhibit and it's fantastic! 42. Describe the coral lagoon. Tropical Pacific Gallery 43. Describe the process of transplanting and restoring coral reefs. 44. What is the reef crest? Describe the environment on the reef crest. 45. Many coral have single-celled algae growing in their tissues. What is the importance of sunlight to these reef coral? 46. Why are coral reefs in trouble? 9

47. What is the suspected cause of coral bleaching? 48. Describe the symbiotic relationship between the clownfish and the sea anemone. (Where s Nemo?) 49.

10 47. What is the suspected cause of coral bleaching? 48. Describe the symbiotic relationship between the clownfish and the sea anemone. (Where s Nemo?) 49. How do deep-water corals (little or no sunlight) feed themselves? 50. Watch the seahorses these are fish. Why are they commonly called seahorses? 51. Describe the stonefish. Why wouldn t you want to step or pick up a stonefish? 52. In the Tropical Reef tunnel identify 3 different fish. List those fish here: 10

11 53. At the end of the tunnel, look at the display on sex change. What is the advantage of organisms being able to change sex? 54. Go to the Reef Diversity display. Pick out a particular type of fish. Identify it. Observe this fish for two minutes. Draw a picture of your fish here: 55. Comment on the behavior of your fish. Can you tell by its behavior whether it is a carnivore or herbivore? How? 56. Don't miss the last tank on the left before you leave. These are the Sea Dragons. How are they adapted to their environment? 57. What was your favorite exhibit and why? 11

12 58. Identify some possible organisms in the food web below. In each box, identify the organisms as producers, primary consumers, secondary consumers or tertiary consumers. Baleen Whale Jellyfish Seaweed Zooplankton Zooplankton 12

13 APPENDIX IDENTIFYING TRAITS OF SOME COMMON PHYLA AND CLASSES CNIDARIA - jellyfish, coral, sea anemones - Radial symmetry, soft body, stinging tentacles MOLLUSKA - snails, clams, oysters, octopuses, squid - Soft body, most with external shell, ventral foot for locomotion ANNELIDA segmented worms - Soft bodied worms with segments, often (but not always) have pair of legs on each segment ARTHROPODA - crabs, shrimp, lobsters, insects, spiders - Segmented body, jointed exoskeleton, many legs ECHINODERMATA - sea stars, sea urchins, sand dollars, brittle stars - Radial symmetry (parts in five s), hard exoskeleton with spines, tube feet for attachment and locomotion CHORDATA - mostly vertebrates (classes listed below) - Gill slits, notochord, dorsal hollow nerve tube, postanal tail (these traits present at some point in life cycle) CHONDRICHTHYES - sharks, sting rays - Fishes with a cartilage skeleton OSTEICHTHYES - modern fish, i.e. trout, goldfish, bass, grouper, tuna, barracuda, etc. - Fishes with a bony skeleton REPTILIA - snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises - Vertebrates with dry scaly skin, usually four legs, eggs that won t dry out on land, most landdwelling AVES birds - Vertebrates with four limbs (two are wings) feathers, eggs won t dry out on land MAMMALIA - whales, porpoises, sea otters, cats, dogs, beavers - Vertebrates with four limbs, hair or fur, mammary glands to nurse young, live birth 13

14 Directions from 1. Take ramp on CA-99 SOUTH toward Los Angeles go about 25 miles (depending on where you enter CA-99) 2. Merge onto I-5 SOUTH go 89.7 miles 3. Take the I-710 SOUTH exit toward LONG BEACH go 17.1 miles 4. Take the DOWNTOWN/AQUARIUM Left exit onto W. SHORELINE DR go 1.8 miles PROFESSOR S NOTE: THE LEFT LANE OF THIS EXIT HAS A SIGN SAYING AQUARIUM. IF YOU GO TO THE RIGHT, YOU WILL END UP AT THE QUEEN MARY, ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE HARBOR. If you do this, the Queen Mary parking attendant will give you directions on how to get back to the aquarium. 5. Turn Right on AQUARIUM WAY 6. Arrive at PARKING STRUCTURE for LONG BEACH AQUARIUM 14

Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

Attach ticket stub here Name Due Date: Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific Date BC students go as a group: Cost w/bc group: If you attend on your own: $29.95; ages 3-11 yrs $17.95. (Prices subject to change.)