Jetty Life

Coastal Habitats

Jetty Life

Jetty life changes with the tides

Jetties
Jetty

Adjusting to the jetties

Jetties
Jetties

The cracks and crevices between the stones on man-made jetties create habitat for sea life and fishing opportunities for anglers.

Animals and plants that live on the Texas jetties are battered by waves, left high and dry by tides, and buried by sand. But those same waves and tides bring moisture and food to the animals attached to jetty rocks.

Periwinkles, limpets, barnacles, and other animals that live above the tide line trap seawater in their shells to survive exposure to air. Sea anemones high on the jetties close in on themselves to preserve the moisture they need until the tide rises again.

Just beneath the surface

Red, green, and brown seaweeds carpet the jetty rocks below the lowest tide line. Sea urchins, limpets, sea hares and a number of other animals graze on the algae, while hiding from predators among its fronds.

Fish come to the jetties, too, drawn by the food that lives in its shelter. Some eat the seaweeds but most feed on crabs, snails, barnacles and even the small fish that live in crevices between the jetty rocks.

Jetty Life

Learn more by clicking on an image below.

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