Tidepools

Pools and zones

• Tide pools are pools of seawater left behind when the tide goes out.

  Source: California Academy of Sciences

• At one San Diego tide-pool shore, the high zone gets only occasional splashes, the middle zone has anemones, and the low zone, reached only at the lowest tides, has sea stars.

  Source: National Park Service (Cabrillo)

• The best tide pooling is at the lowest tides, because the low zone is only visible then.

  Source: Monterey Bay Aquarium

Tides

• The US West Coast tends to have two high tides and two low tides each lunar day (a little under 25 hours), and the two highs and lows are different sizes.

  Source: NOAA Ocean Service

• Spring tides come at the full and new moon; neap tides come at the first and third quarter moon.

  Source: NOAA Ocean Service

• "King tide" is a popular, non-scientific name for an exceptionally high tide. They often happen at a new or full moon.

  Source: NOAA Ocean Service

Where they live

These facts come from the Southern California and West Coast shore. Check a tide table for the shore you visit, and never turn your back on the waves.

In the stories

Snip Gets Stuck runs on a real tidal clock. In every book the tide is named in plain words and pictures before anyone goes onto the Ledges.

• Tully and the New BabyMade for 2½ to 4 years
• Tully's First DayMade for 3 to 4 years
• Plan First!Made for 5 to 7 years
• Snip Gets StuckMade for 6 to 8 years