Suggested Reading Level: Grade 4 Indiana Science Standards – Grade 4 Standard 2: Life Science Core Standard: Observe, describe, and ask questions about.

Suggested Reading Level: Grade 4

Indiana Science Standards – Grade 4

Standard 2: Life Science Core Standard: Observe, describe, and ask questions about structures of organisms and how they affect their growth and survival. 4.3.1 Observe and describe how offspring are very much, but not exactly, like their parents or one another. Describe how these

differences in physical characteristics among individuals in a population may be advantageous for survival and reproduction.

4.3.2 Observe, compare, and record the physical characteristics of living plants or animals from widely different environments, and describe how each is adapted to its environment.

4.3.3 Design an investigation to explore how organisms meet some of their needs by responding to stimuli from their environment.

4.3.4 Describe a way that a given plant or animal might adapt to changes arising from human or non-human impact on the environment.

Uses for this book:This book is meant to be used as a shared reading and then placed into an independent reading box. It can be used as an engagement or elaboration piece in a 5 E lesson plan, or as the culmination of a study on ocean life and adaptations.

Before reading:• Ask students what they know (K), what they think they know (T), and what they want to learn (W) about seahorses. Record

this on a KTWL chart to complete after the reading. Add what they learned after the reading (L).• Have students share any prior knowledge. Ask guiding questions to get them to think about where they have seen

seahorses or what they have heard about seahorses

Suggestions for a book walk through:• Use sticky notes to write questions or other short comments and post them on the pages as you “walkthrough “ the book

before reading the text.• Allow students time to look at the pictures and predict what they think they will learn from the clues (titles, captions,

pictures) on the pages.

After reading as a whole group:• Allow students to ask “I wonder” questions and suggest ways to find the answers through other resources or through the

pages of the book.• Revisit all the sticky notes and review pages or other resources that address what was written on them.• Encourage students to share what they learned and record their thoughts in a science journal.• Contact a local conservation group and invite a special speaker to talk about conservation issues and actions in their own

community.

SeahorsesMajestic Creatures of the Sea

Danae’ Ellen Wirth

Wirth, 2010

Ruediger Verhasselt

This book is dedicated to my grandson, Braxton, who loves all creatures great and small.

February, 2010

Wirth, 2010

The Life of a SeahorseScientists have only begun studying seahorses since the early 1990’s. There is still a lot to learn about their lives. How long do they live? Do they have different eating patterns? We do know that there are 35 species (or kinds) of seahorses and they range in size from about 1 ½ inch to 14 inches!

1 Amanda Vincent

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James Beveridge/Visuals Unlimited

Ruediger Verhasselt

Ruediger Verhasselt

Ruediger Verhasselt

Ruediger Verhasselt

The Sea as a Home

Seahorses live in warm shallow waters where plants grow. They also prefer tropical temperatures, coral reefs and mangroves. Seahorses do not migrate. That means they stay in the place they were born for their entire lives. They have no teeth. They use their long snouts to suck up their prey. Food for seahorses includes small shrimp and tiny organisms that float in the water.

seahorse snackCan you see the head of a small ghost shrimp in the snout of this seahorse? Seahorses can eat over three thousand tiny shrimp in one day. Which means they pretty much eat all day!

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When Dads are MomsSeahorse dads take their job seriously! The male seahorse has a special pouch on the front side of its belly. In this pouch, the female deposits her eggs and the male fertilizes them. Also, in this pouch, the male carries the eggs until they hatch and the baby seahorses are ready to be released. This keeps the young safe from predators and helps them get used to the salt water environment.

male seahorse with pouch

Can you see the white cloud streaming from the male’s pouch? These are baby seahorses. Babies are called ponies.

male releasing poniesLook closely. You can see the pouch right below the chest and extending to the beginning of the tail.

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Ruediger Verhasselt

Ruediger Verhasselt

7 month old ponyThis pony is still young but has all the features of a full grown seahorse.

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Chameleons of the SeaSeahorses can change their color in order to blend into their surroundings. They can also change their color in reaction to other seahorses. Some seahorses grow their skin into shapes found in their environment so they can hide more easily. Others allow smaller organisms to live on them and help with the disguise.

leafy seadragon

This seahorse has a special name. It has grown its skin to look like the plants where it lives.

seahorse covered with “crust”This seahorse is covered with tiny organisms that create a crust over its body and blend in with the sea floor.

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Amanda Vincent

Wirth 2010

seahorse camouflageLook closely to spot the seahorse in each picture. These seahorses are from Malaysia. They take on the color and textures of the soft coral around them.

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Dangers of Ocean Life Like all ocean life, seahorses depend on their environment for food, shelter, and protection. Sometimes humans harm this environment with pollution or by overfishing. In some places, seahorses are captured for aquariums or to make medicines.

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Amanda Vincent Ruediger Verhasselt

Saving SeahorsesStudying ocean life helps us find ways to protect ocean environments. Everyone can make a difference. Even if you live far from the ocean, you can help. Contact a local conservation group in your community to find out what you can do. These majestic creatures and all ocean life depend on us!

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ReferencesPhotos: Cover (left) Dedication Page and (12) Danae’ Wirth (2010)

Photos: Cover (right), (4,7-10,18)Dr. Ruediger Verhasselt (2001). DOCSLAW SEAWORLD. Seahorses. Retrieved February 17,2010 from: http://www.seahorses.de/index.htm)

Photos: (1-3,5,6,11,15,17 ) Amanda Vincent; (3) James Beveridge/Visuals Unlimited. NOVA: The Kingdom of the Seahorse. Retrieved February 17, 2010 from: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/seahorse/vincent.html

Photos: (13,14) Yilling (2008). Save Our Seahorses. Retrieved February 17, 2008 from:http://www.sosmalaysia.org/About_Seahorses_2.html

Other resources:Sea Horse Park: http://www.poost.nl/seahorse/picts/pictillu.html