SEYMOUR MARINE DISCOVERY CENTER
AT LONG MARINE LAB
Name_____________________________________
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center (SMDC) is the public education center for UCSC's Long
Marine Lab. It opened in March 2000, with the goals of interpreting marine research
currently underway at the marine lab, and promoting the connection between marine science
research and ocean conservation.
Objectives:
• To learn about some of the marine research projects being conducted in our area
• To recognize that the Monterey Bay is a major hub for marine science research and
research facilities
• To enhance scientific thinking skills and understanding of the scientific method
Logistics:
• For additional information about transportation, fees, and special programs, see the
SMDC's website: http://www2.ucsc.edu/seymourcenter/visitor_information.html
Instructions:
• To answer these questions, you will have to search among the various exhibits and
aquaria to find the necessary information. Answer the questions thoroughly, using
complete sentences and legible handwriting.
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1. Describe some of the marine mammal research being conducted at Long Marine Lab with
captive (i.e., not wild) animals.
2.
What has John Pearse's long-term monitoring of popular rocky intertidal sites shown in
terms of whether or not there is evidence of human impacts on intertidal animals and
communities?
3.
Measure the rate of movement of the same sunflower star three separate times. List the rate
of movement for each trial below, and calculate the average speed of the star.
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
AVERAGE SPEED
4.
How does a decorator crab make adjustments to match changes in its surroundings?
5.
How does a tidepool sculpin deal with low tide? What interesting fact emerged from study
of this fish?
6.
How many different types of anemones can you find in the various exhibits? Hint: there
are more than three! Briefly describe each type that you can find.
7.
What is an otolith? Explain how an otolith can be used to determine a fish's age.
Remember to use your own words!
8.
Compare the life cycles of salmon and rockfish by filling in the table.
TRAIT
Growth rate
Lifespan
Relative number of babies
in a lifetime
What stage are babies
released as?
Habitat
SALMON
ROCKFISH
9.
What is your favorite quote from among the many quotes in the exhibits?
10. In the spring of 2010 the Seymour Center opened a new exhibit on the recovery of the
peregrine falcon, the fastest animal in the world.
a) Explain what DDT is and why it was so harmful to peregrine falcons and other
predatory birds.
b) What actions did biologists take to help the California population of peregrine falcons
recover?
11. PET A SHARK!!
The shark touching pool is a new exhibit, opened in October 2010 (10-10-10) to
commemorate the 10th anniversity of the Seymour Center. The sharks are swell sharks
(Cephaloscyllium ventriosum), so called because when threatened they swell up with water
to appear larger to predators. These individuals have been raised in captivity and are
accustomed to being gently handled.
Please respect the Seymour Center's rules on petting the sharks and follow the docent's
instructions.
Question 1: Pet the shark in an Anterior!Posterior direction. Describe how its skin and
scales feel.
Question 2: Now pet the shark in a Posterior!Anterior direction. Describe how its
skin/scales feel. Is it the same or different from when you petted it in the other direction?