The seashore is the place where land meets sea. This can be rocky cliffs, sandy or pebble beaches or marshy wetlands. At high tide, much of a low-lying seashore is under water. The sea brings tiny particles of food for the many small creatures that live in the sand or on the rocks. These creatures are, in turn, prey for crabs, starfish and seabirds. Shorebirds, such as sandpipers or oystercatchers, use their long beaks to poke through the sand and mud.

Seaweed

Seaweeds are kinds of algae. They do not put down roots into the ground like true plants. They anchor themselves to rocks instead. Many kinds stay moist even after the tide has gone out. This provides small animals with shelter from the sun. Bladderwrack is an example of a seaweed.

Kelp

Long seaweed called kelp is found in the water off some coasts. Anchored to the sea bed, it can grow tens of metres in length. Fish, sponges, sea anemones, starfish, sea snails and lobsters all feed on it. They in turn are prey for larger animals, such as sea otters, seals and sea lions.

Mangroves

Mangrove forests grow on sheltered coastlines in tropical countries. The tangled mass of mangrove tree roots trap mud between them. This provides a habitat for many animals. Southeast Asian mangroves are home to some unusual animals.