Pleasing to the eye, their delicate forms embroider the shore. But each is really a picture of grace under pressure. When the tide comes in, the struggle begins, as sea stars and fishes prowl for prey. When the tide ebbs , the shore's exposed, life suspended high and dry. And storms roll in without warning, shocking the shoreline with tons of crashing water.
Residents here survive where conditions most closely suit their abilities and vulnerabilities.
In the highest zones, marine creatures must withstand long periods out of the water, where both temperature and salinity may reach extremes. Areas with crashing waves favor creatures that cling tightly. In lower zones, predators threaten, and competition crowds out many that would otherwise live there. When the tide is in, the table is set When the water's away, most intertidal animals hide in their shells, in crevices or under plants. Without water, there's no food to eat and no shield from the hot sun.