Traits that allow an animal or plant to survive in its environment Context: Animals on our Texas beaches must have adaptations to survive in the sandy and salty conditions.
Atlantic Ocean:
An ocean bordered by Europe and Africa in the east and the Americas in the west Context: The ocean that you play in when you go to a Texas beach is the Atlantic Ocean.
Beachcombing:
Looking for things along the seashore Context: Next time you go to the beach, go beachcombing for wildlife, but be sure to leave them right where you find them!
Erosion:
Wearing away of the earth's surface by wind or water Context: Sand dunes are constantly facing erosion from the wind at the beach.
Gulf Coast:
The land next to the Gulf of Mexico Context: Many people love to go to the Texas Gulf Coast to visit our beaches!
Gulf of Mexico:
The bowl-shaped part of the Atlantic Ocean that is near Texas Context: Mustang Island State Park is located on the Gulf of Mexico.
High tide:
The highest point reached by a tide; when the ocean comes its farthest onto shore Context: If you are fishing, it is important to know when high tide will be so you are safely out of the way when it comes in.
Low tide:
The lowest level of a tide; when the ocean goes the farthest away from the shore Context: During low tide you can see lots of cool critters on the shore, but please be sure to leave them right where you find them.
Restoration:
A return to the way something used to be Context: At Galveston Island State Park they used old Christmas trees to do sand dune restoration.
Sand dunes:
Tall piles of sand found on the beach and elsewhere Context: Many beach animals use sand dunes for their homes, so please help us protect the dunes, Dude!
Sargassum:
A type of seaweed that grows in the ocean, but often washes ashore on Texas beaches Context: Sargassum might make the shore look messy, but shorebirds don't care about that! Watch how they run to it and chow down on the critters that hide underneath.
Shore:
The land beside an ocean, sea, lake or river Context: Just look around and you will find plenty of animal life on the Texas shore!
Tides:
Movement of ocean water caused mostly by the moon’s gravity Context: Tides help carry sargassum to the shore and that helps the beach wildlife a lot.