Roundhouse Aquarium

Fine Art Photography

2009-11-06T13:15:00.001-08:00

Purchase some beautiful fine art photography for your office or home...
and at the same time donate something to the Roundhouse Aquarium...

Go to: http://www.roundhouseaquarium.org/fine%20art%20photography.html

to see the current images available for your donation to the Roundhouse Aquarium...

Thanks from the staff and board of directors of the Roundhouse Aquarium...

Creature Feature - Wolf Eel

2009-11-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

Wolf eel

Description: Wolf eels have a strong , powerful jaw used for crushing. Although they aren’t the cutest of animals, they look much meaner than they are. They are excellent hiders and their tails can extend to 8 feet! These slender fish are gray with dark spots along their backs. They can be found in shallow waters to as deep as 700 feet.
Defense: The wolf eel has strong jaws to crush urchins and is often found hiding in caves and crevices to stay away from predators.
Where they are Found: Wolf eels are found from northern Baja California to Kodiak Island, Alaska and west to Russia and south to the Sea of Japan.
Diet: Wolf eels eat a wide range of food including, crabs, sand dollars, sea urchins, snails, mussels, clams and fish.
WOW!!! Wolf eels are not eels at all. They are one of five species in the wolf-fish family!!

November Newsletter

2009-11-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

An Ocean of Thanks
Have you thanked the ocean today? Maybe it’s time that you did. Did you know that the ocean provides over 80% of the oxygen that we breathe? The ocean also soaks up more than 2 billion tons of the globe's gaseous carbon pollutants, most of which humans put into the atmosphere. It provides food as well as jobs to millions of people every day. The ocean also offers many of the ingredients for today's and tomorrow's medicines. The ocean not only helps us breathe, eat, and stay healthy, it also supports the economy. One recent analysis has shown that if we had to pay for all of the goods and services that the ocean provides, such as regulating atmospheric gases, cycling nutrients, producing food, raw materials, and recreation, the cost would be about US $21,000 billion per year! (http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Agri/Agri_ocean.htm) The ocean is something all creatures should be thankful for everyday. However, human actions are abusing and overusing this fragile ecosystem. We need to realize how important the ocean is and learn how to protect it. Come to the Roundhouse to learn more and see how you can help!
Fall Craft Weekend Success!

Thanks to Chevron, the Roundhouse Aquarium had another successful Fall craft weekend! On October 17th and 18th families and friends came to this fun-filled free event! We celebrated the Fall season by making Halloween bags, reading scary stories, and decorating delicious cookies. This is the fifth year that Chevron has made a generous donation to support the craft weekends at the Roundhouse Aquarium and we appreciate their continued sponsorship. If missed out on this free event, don’t fret! The Roundhouse will celebrate the winter holidays during our winter craft weekend on December 19th and 20th. Come in anytime from 10am-sunset to decorate winter cookies, make holiday and ocean crafts and read fun fish stories!

Creature Feature

2009-10-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Globe Crab

photo from www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals

Description: The globe crab has a white shell with dark pink and red markings on its carapace and legs. It only grows to about 3 inches, which makes it very easy to camouflage by burying itself in the sandy ocean bottom. The globe crab has a bulbous shaped shell, hence the name globe crab.
Defense: The globe crab is excellent at camouflaging in the sand.
Where they are found: Globe crabs are found from central California to Baja California.
Diet: Like most crabs, globe crabs eat organic matter, or detritus, and other invertebrates.
WOW!!! The globe crab spends most of its day hiding in the sand. When it isn't hiding, it scuttles in numerous directions to confuse its predators.

October Newsletter

2009-10-01T09:57:00.001-07:00

International Day of Climate Action

On October 24, 2009, people all over the world will meet and demonstrate to pressure their governments to take effective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Over 72 countries are involved in this movement and you can be a part of this world changing event. The focus of this event is on the number 350, as in parts per million, the level scientists have identified as the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere. We're currently at 389 and rising. The South Bay Climate Action Group is planning to form a human tide line at the back of the beach between Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach. This line will represent the impact of sea level rise from climate change in our areas. If you are interested in attending, please plan to meet at the Manhattan Beach pier at 3pm on October 24th. We hope that you will join us in making this an event that will inspire the world to rise to the challenge of the climate crisis. For more information on the International Day of Climate Action, visit http://www.350.org/. More information about this local event can be found if you log on to: http://sb350.pbworks.com/.

3 Simple Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
1. Keep your car in good condition and drive less often
2. Unplug electronics when not in use
3. Turn off the lights when not in the room
http://www.envirorentals.com
Water Harvest Festival- Free Family Fun!

West Basin Municipal Water District is hosting its 11th annual Water Harvest Festival at the Edward C. Little Water Recycling Facility on Saturday, October 24th from 10am – 2pm. This free event shares information about how to conserve water. This year’s theme is water reliability, focusing on the seven wonders of California’s Water World. You and your family can travel to all seven of the wonders (booths) to learn about where our water comes from and how it travels to your home. There are even raffles and prizes. Bring the whole family and be sure to stop by the Roundhouse booth!

September Newsletter

2009-09-11T08:45:00.001-07:00

Come Celebrate 30 Years with the Roundhouse

The Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab and Aquarium operated by Oceanographic Teaching Stations (O.T.S.) has been a successful non-profit organization since its beginning in 1979. We have always been open to the public free of charge and continue to educate children of all ages about the ocean and its inhabitants. The past thirty years have brought many new and exciting changes to the Roundhouse. We continually update the exhibits in the aquarium so every visit is an exciting and new experience. Our summer camps and classes are consistently transforming so we can have fun and teach children about the latest environmental and concerns. We have even expanded our outreach program to include a new van so we can spread environmental knowledge and awareness even further.
We at the Roundhouse and O.T.S. are proud of our achievement these past 30 years and want you to come celebrate with us. You are invited to our Open House Celebration here at the Roundhouse Aquarium on October 9th from 7:30-9:00pm. We will be serving light hors d’oeuvres and beverages, kindly donated by Rock n’ Fish Restaurant. We will also have a fundraising raffle with prizes donated from restaurants and stores around Manhattan Beach as well as a fine art photography fundraiser from professional photographers who are also a very integral part of the Roundhouse Aquarium. Please come join in the festivities. Reservations are not required!

Coastal Cleanup Day is Saturday, September 19th

Everyone is invited!! Join us anytime between 9am-12pm at the Manhattan Beach Pier ready to clean the beach. Last year, nearly 400,000 volunteers collected more than 6.8 million pounds of trash in 100 countries and 42 US states during the 2008 International Coastal Cleanup effort. This is the largest volunteer event in the world! It bonds environmental citizens around the globe to express our care and concern for the oceans. We hope to see you on the 19th.

August Creature Feature

2009-08-11T17:10:00.000-07:00

Horn Shark

Description: The horn shark has brownish-gray skin with black spots and ridges along each eye. It has a spine or horn located in the front of each dorsal fin.

Defense: It has spines and can camouflage.

Where they are Found: Horn sharks are found from central California to Baja California.

Diet: These sharks are nighttime feeders. They feed on fish, squid, crabs and sea urchins.
WOW!!! The horn shark lays spiral shaped eggs that they wedge between rocks for protection.

August Newsletter

2009-08-05T07:59:00.001-07:00

TAKE ACTION
No matter where you live, you can impact the ocean… for better or worse. There are actions we can all take every day that will help to keep our ocean a healthy and thriving place. These are examples of small steps that you can take to do your part in ocean conservation and reduce energy consumption. It can be your way to say “Thank you ocean”.
• Conserve energy. Turn off lights, radio, or TV when you are not in the room.
• Carpool, walk, ride a bike, or take public transit. Even one day a week can make a difference.
• Bring your own reusable cup because disposable cups can end up as marine debris.
• Use reusable containers for your lunch items and carry them in your own cloth bag or lunchbox.
• Save trees and produces less trash at the same time! Use both sides of the paper when writing or printing.
• Going on a boat? Bring your trash back to the dock with you and secure your items so nothing goes overboard.
• Each trip to the river or beach you can help the ocean. Clean up and properly dispose of items in trash and recycling cans… even if it is not yours, please pick it up!
• Invest in a reusable water bottle instead of using plastic one-use bottles.
• Cut up plastic 6-pack rings before you recycle, or choose to buy items that are not packaged with 6 pack rings.
• Keep our beaches clean! Get involved in Beach Clean-ups!
• Teach children to respect nature and the environment. Take them on hikes, beach exploring, or camping. Help them plant a tree, pick up litter, or learn about the ocean.

Remember that one person can make a difference. Small accomplishments add up quicker than you might think.

THE OUTREACH VAN IS PURCHASED !!!!!

2009-07-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

Several months ago we announced a major grant that was received from the Manhattan Beach Property Owner's Association. The grant was to operate an outreach program where the Roundhouse Aquarium would take the aquarium experience to the schools in the Los Angeles basin area.

The first milestone in the grant has been acheived....we now own a van to accomplish the outreach program !!!

Here's a picture of Valarie Hill and Eric Martin, our aquarium co-directors, taking delivery of the van from Cerritos GMC...that's Val and Eric in the center....

The van is now being processed...first step is to coat the inside of the van to prevent rusting....next step is to design graphics for the outside of the van...then we have to install chillers and a touch tank...so we will be updating you on the progress as we meet the milestones to have the van ready for the school sessions that start this fall.

If you have any questions about our outreach program and might want to schedule a class with us...please call Val or Dawn at 310-379-8117....we will bring the Roundhouse Aquarium experience to your classroom.

July Newsletter

2009-07-01T17:51:00.000-07:00

Guess who has the most powerful jaw on the planet?

SHARKS have the most powerful jaw on the planet! Although sharks have the most powerful jaw, they cannot chew their own food. A shark bites its food with its lower jaw first and then its upper jaw. It tosses its head back and forth to tear loose a piece of meat which it swallows whole. Sharks never run out of teeth and they can grow and use over 20,000 teeth in its lifetime! But not all sharks use their jaws to eat meat. Some sharks are actually quite harmless! Oddly enough, the most harmless sharks tend to be the largest! The basking shark, the whale shark, and the megamouth sharks all fit this description. These huge sharks eat plankton, a tiny shrimp-like creature found in the ocean.
The perception of sharks as dangerous animals has been popularized by the popular fictional works about shark attacks, such as the Jaws film series. So, next time you go to the beach and are scared of going in the ocean because of sharks, don’t be. Sharks aren’t there to hurt you.

Sign up for Summer Sea Camp at the Roundhouse!
Inquire within, call us at (310) 379-8117, or visit our website at www.roundhouseaquairum.org/camp

June Creature Feature

2009-06-10T18:16:00.001-07:00

California Mussel Clam

http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/

Description: Mussel clams form in large colonies. To eat, the mussel opens its shells tiny hairs, or cilia, draw in water carrying tiny particles of food. The California mussel attaches to rocks by fibers called byssal threads. These threads are produced in liquid form by the byssal gland. A large mussel moves by breaking old threads, then attaching new ones to another spot; a small mussel creeps around on its foot.

Defense: Mussels take over in tidepool areas and areas where they can use their strong byssal threads, like near crashing waves. They form large groups and out compete for space. However, lobsters, crabs and sea stars eat them in areas where waves don’t pound as hard.

Where they are Found: California mussels can be found from Alaska to Baja California.

Diet: California mussels love to eat detritus, or plant and animal waste, and living plankton.

WOW!!! It takes three years for a California mussel to grow to full size, about 5 inches.

June Newsletter

2009-06-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

The Exciting Adventures of a Roundhouse Intern
A Short Story with a Happy Ending
By Kristen Boysen

My favorite thing this spring was my time spent at the Roundhouse Aquarium. As an intern, I got to see in the inner-workings of the aquarium- from teaching classes, to chopping up squid, to feeding the sharks, to cleaning the eel tank. It was a great opportunity especially since I want to go into a marine-science career. I learned the basics of working with marine animals, which is an important skill for marine scientists. I also really liked working with the classes and teaching them about our planet. The Roundhouse kept me busy! But, it was great, I learned a lot, and I would recommend it to anyone!

Fun with Field Trips
My Experience Teaching at the Roundhouse Aquarium
by Katie Russell
During my semester as an Educational Intern not only did I teach about the ocean, I learned about it too! My experience at Roundhouse Aquarium has been so great—I love working with kids and learning more about our oceans. My favorite thing to teach is the Sea Star and Sea Cucumber part of the field trip; it’s so fun to see how excited kids get about touching live sea creatures. Roundhouse has been such a valuable experience for me, and I can’t wait to keep learning about the ocean and sharing my experience with others.

Sign up for Summer Sea Camp at the Roundhouse!
Inquire within, call us at (310) 379-8117, or visit our website at www.roundhouseaquairum.org/camp.

Looking for suggestions....

2009-05-22T13:51:00.000-07:00

I administer this blog for the Roundhouse Aquarium....and would love to get your comments....what do you want to know....what can we do better....do you like the blog....please let me know so I can improve the blog....thanks

just e-mail me at:

admin@roundhouseaquarium.org

May Creature Feature

2009-05-22T13:41:00.000-07:00

Ocean Sunfish

Description: Ocean sunfish are also known as Mola Molas. These huge, flat silvery-gray fish can grow to be over 5,000 pounds! Ocean sunfish grow from tiny eggs and can grow to be 10 feet long and 14 feet high, from dorsal fin to anal fin. They have a truncated tail fin referred to as a clavus—a scalloped fringe of muscle along their blunt rear end, which they use as a rudder. These fish are the heaviest bony fish in the world!

Defense: Their sheer size makes the ocean sunfish less susceptible to predators. However, they are hunted by sea lions, sharks and killer whales.

Where they are Found: Ocean sunfish can be found in ocean waters above 50 degrees F all over the world. They can often be seen basking in the sun near the surface of the water but do swim to much deeper depths.

WOW!!! Mola Molas are related to pufferfish!

May Newsletter

2009-05-05T11:52:00.001-07:00

Weeds of the Sea

Your only experience with seaweed may have been when it got tangled around your leg when you were swimming in the ocean. But did you know that seaweed is not a weed at all. It is actually a form of algae that plays an integral role in the lives of every living thing in this world. Seaweed can be found as an ingredient in everyday items, including toothpaste, shampoo, flour, macaroni and cheese, make-up and even flaming hot Cheetos! Seaweed proteins, also known as carageenan or algin, is an emulsifer or thickening agent. The sugars from this algae help to keep your ice cream from getting clumpy and make your mac and chesse extra creamy. Giant kelp, a common type of seaweed found off the coast of CA, helps reduce the afternoon chop of the waves from the wind that surfers often complain about while providing shelter and food for the local marine animals. This specific type of seaweed can grow up to one foot per day! Seaweed also provides every breathing thing over 75% of the oxygen needed to survive. So, these “weeds” are actually vitally important to animal survival.
However, numerous kelp forests are in danger. Pollution from storm drains and run-off kill this algae. So what can you do to help? Simple, care for the earth. Throw your trash in the trash can, recycle, bring in reusable bags, pick up trash, the list goes on. I bet you didn’t know that these little lifestyle changes really do help you breath a little better! So, next time you get your leg wrapped around a piece of kelp, embrace it and be thankful for this amazing “weed.”

April Newsletter

2009-04-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

Earth Day

Come Celebrate Earth Day with the Roundhouse!
Join us on April 18th and 19th for environmental crafts, stories, and to learn more about how we can help the ocean.
We’ll also be at Pollywog Park April 18th for the Manhattan Beach Earth Day Celebration, stop by our booth.

Celebrate the Earth and everything in it!
Earth Day Earth Day is April 22nd, a day to celebrate the air, the waves and everything in between. So what can we do to create a healthier earth? Here are 5 simple things you can do every day to save the earth:
1. Use a reusable bag when you shop. It reduces waste and most of these bags are inexpensive. Keep these bags in your car so that you remember them next time you go to the store!
2. Throw your trash in the trash can! Sounds too easy but over 6 million tons of marine debris enter the ocean through the storm drains because people do not throw their trash away.
3. Don’t let go of balloons! No, they do not float up into outer space! Thousands of balloons end up in the ocean and can harm or kill many marine animals that mistake them for food.
4. Precycle!! Buy products in bulk or with less packaging or recyclable packaging to reduce waste. Remember also to recycle your plastics, aluminum, paper and cardboard.
5. Tell others about the importance of keeping our earth clean! If we can spread the news, we can create a healthier earth for ourselves and our children.
For more info on what you can do to help, check out these websites:
http://ww2.earthday.net/
www.earthday.gov

March Newsletter

2009-03-05T14:00:00.001-08:00

Its History!
The Story of the Manhattan Beach Pier

The Roundhouse will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this November. We are very proud to be a part of this great city, spreading environmental and marine awareness to everyone that visits. After 30 years, you are probably used to seeing the aquarium at the end of the pier, but have you ever thought about what used to be inside this “roundhouse”?
The Manhattan Beach Pier was built in 1901 with iron crisscross railroad ties. It was 900 feet long and a very poor construction especially compared to the flourishing Redondo Beach Pier built in 1888. In 1914, the Manhattan Beach Pier and Beach Association was formed and began construction on a grand cement fishing pier in 1916 to attract tourists. The Roundhouse building itself opened on July 4th, 1922 and offered a bait shop, tackle rental, and restaurant. A 200 foot extension was added to the end of the pier in 1928! The pier was booming with an abundance of fish, large and small, for everyone, including the seabirds. On January 9th, 1940 a huge storm came and wiped out 90 feet of the pier extension. It was never rebuilt and by 1941 the rest of the extension was washed away. In 1953, engineers declared that the pier was in need of urgent repairs. The pier and Roundhouse received small renovations throughout the many years that it was in existence.
In 1979, Judge Richard Fruin established the Oceanographic Teaching Stations and the Roundhouse Aquarium. He still serves on the board today. The Roundhouse has undergone numerous changes since it began but the largest occurred in 1991 when the pier was torn down and completely renovated. During that time, the aquarium was relocated to El Segundo. The Roundhouse Aquarium reopened its doors in July of 1992 and was modeled after the original design of 1920. In 2002, the famous 3,500 gallon shark tank was added to the Roundhouse Aquarium and numerous renovations took place to enhance the inside of the Aquarium. The Roundhouse Aquarium currently has over 75 species of marine animals all local to the Santa Monica Bay. We are opened for free so come visit any day of the week. Next time you walk on the pier, remember to bask in its history and make new memories. To find out more about the pier, check out the book:
Manhattan Beach Pier, by Jan Dennis.

Major Grant Received by Roundhouse Aquarium

2009-03-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

The Manhattan Beach Property Owner's Association (MBPOA) presented a check for $100,000 to the Oceanographic Teaching Stations, Inc (OTS), the organization that operates the Roundhouse Aquarium. The check was presented at the Manhattan Beach city council meeting on February 17, 2009. MBPOA Board President Tom Shoebotham tells the city council and public about the grant in this photo of the presentation...present in the photo are members of the OTS and MBPOA boards of directors as well as the co-directors of the Roundhouse Aquarium.

The funds will be used to expand the outreach program that the Roundhouse Aquarium operates. The funds will allow the Roundhouse Aquarium to purchase and outfit a new vehicle to take the aquatic creatures to the schools and it will provide funds to teach outreach classes at title one schools in the Los Angeles County area.

You can see a wonderful article about the project and grant that appeared in the Daily Breeze written by Andrea Woodhouse at this link:
Taking the Sea on the Road

February Creature Feature

2009-03-03T08:50:00.000-08:00

Two-Spotted Octopus

Description: A two-spotted octopus has eight arms with suctions cups that it uses to crawl and catch food. It is usually gray, olive-brown or reddish in color. If the octopus is in danger, it may jet away using its siphon. Two blue, eyelike spots just below its eyes give the octopus its name.

Defense: An octopus is one of the most intelligent animals. It can change its color and texture to blend in with its surroundings, shoot ink to distract predators, bite with its sharp beak, use its siphon to swim away very rapidly, and hide under rocks and crevices.

Where it is Found: The two-spotted octopus can be found from northern Baja California to central California.

Diet: These octopi use their sharp bird-like beak to pierce their prey’s exoskeleton. They like to eat limpets, snails, clams, hermit crabs and small fishes.

WOW!!! An octopus only lives for about 3 years!

February Newsletter

2009-02-04T15:36:00.001-08:00

Let them Eat (sustainable) Fish

Do you know where your seafood comes from or if the fish that you are eating has high levels of toxins? Become a conscious consumer and know how your choices affect your life as well as life in the ocean.
Fish is the primary food source for over 10% of the world’s population so eating sustainably caught fish is not only important to the fish populations themselves but to the millions who depened on them. Eating sustainably caught fish helps ensure the survival of a fish population and the welfare of the many people whose livelyhood depends on those healthy numbers.
So what makes a fish sustainable? A sustainably caught fish is a species of fish that is abundant in number, is well-managed, and is caught or farmed in environmentally friendly ways. Make sure to avoid seafood that are few in number, have high levels of mercury, and are caught in destructive ways. A few to always avoid are sharks, swordfish, Chilean seabass, bluefin tuna and orange roughy. A quick and easy way to tell if the fish you’re eating was caught sustainably is to stop by the Roundhouse and pick up a seafood watch pocket guide. Researchers at The Monterey Bay Aquarium have created this guide for you to know what seafood has been caught sustainably and what you should avoid. You can also check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch Program at www.mbayaq.org key word: seafood watch.

Ways to say “I love you” to the Ocean
• Use reusable bags when you go shopping to save the lives of marine animals
• Pick up after your pet so you don’t get marine animals sick.
• Throw your trash in the trash can to reduce runoff.
• Know where your food comes from. Be sure to eat sustainable seafood.

January Creature Feature

2009-01-16T10:39:00.002-08:00

Hermit Crabs

Description: A crab that can be found living in abandoned snail shells or other empty mobile containers. A hermit crab’s first two legs have been modified into pinchers. Hermit crabs require a shell to live in because their abdomen (tail region) is actually soft. When a hermit crab grows in size, it must find a new, larger shell to live in. Hermit crabs can be found in rocky shores and sandy beach habitats.

Defense: Hermit crabs will hide within their shell for protection.

Where they are Found: These crabs can be found in saltwater at depths from shallow coral reefs and shorelines to deep sea bottoms. Some species can even be found on land. Hermit crabs live in the wild in colonies of 100 or more.

Diet: Hermit crabs will feed on small bits of food that they find on the bottom of the ocean. Sandy bottom hermit crabs have also been known to filter feed.

WOW!!! Hermit crabs can make their homes out of old cans, pieces of trash or anything else that they can fit their tail into!

January Newsletter

2009-01-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

A Volunteer’s Journey
“The heat from the sun could be felt on the backs of our necks. The bag in my left hand had a good load of recyclables and the bag in my friend, Jackson’s hands contained trash of every kind. We had been on the beach for only a couple of hours, doing our duty to our community and our oceans. We were helping to clean the beach as part of The Roundhouse Aquarium’s annual Beach Cleanup in September. It is a chance for the people of our community to do their part for the beach environment they cherish so dearly. The Roundhouse has been a major part of our community since its founding in 1980. The Roundhouse has always gone out of its way to enlighten and educate those who visit the beaches daily about the major problems of littering as well as the wonders of the sea. It was thanks to the Roundhouse and Heal the Bay that our beach was cleaned. Families could be seen toting young ones and trash bags, making the day a family event. Children ran amuck, competing to see who got the most trash. Coastal Cleanup Day was a huge success, eradicating cigarette butts and plastic water bottles from the sands beneath our feet. We did our part for the community, and had a great time and, once again, the Roundhouse helped to make our beaches clean and beautiful.
I have been volunteering at the Roundhouse for over a year now.
I normally work in the Roundhouse itself at the end of Manhattan Beach’s pier. I help keep the tanks clean, check on the health of the sea life in the tanks, and talk to young and old about what I have learned. The Roundhouse has encouraged me to make people aware of the state of our environment. Now, whenever I see a person leave trash behind, I pick it up and throw it away. I also get my friends more involved in the community. I enjoy volunteering at the Aquarium, but being on the beach for the clean up on this hot and sunny day really brought home to me why I help - it’s all about maintaining the gift of the beach and the ocean, literally at our community’s feet.” ~Ben Whistler

New Year’s Resolutions to Help the Ocean
• I will use reusable bags instead of plastic bags when shopping
• I will recycle my bottles, cans, newspapers and magazines
• I will buy local products as much as possible
• I will donate to a worthy non-profit organization to support their efforts (like the Roundhouse Aquarium)

December Creature Feature

2008-12-15T15:21:00.000-08:00

Spider Crabs

Description: Spider crabs have 10 long legs, including their pinchers, or claws which they use to catch prey and for defense. Spider Crabs have Spines and bumps covering the carapace, or body. They body of a spider crab can grow up to 7 inches in males and 5 inches in females. Adult male spider crabs have bigger claws and longer legs than females.

Diet: Spider crabs are carnivorous scavengers. They will eat anything on the ocean bottom, living or dead.

Where they are Found: These crabs can be found from Baja, CA to the south to Point Reyes, CA to the north anywhere from 20-500 feet deep.

Defense: Spider crabs have claws that they use to eat as well as to defend themselves. Their bodies are also covered with spines and bumps. A thin film of fuzzy green algae grows over the carapaces of adult spider crabs.

WOW!!! Spider crabs are also called sheep crabs. Female sheep crabs can store anywhere from 125,000 to 500,000 eggs at a time.

December Newsletter

2008-12-01T13:34:00.001-08:00

Manhattan Beach Holiday Pier Lighting

The City of Manhattan Beach will host their annual pier lighting for the holidays on Saturday, December 6th from 4:30-6:30pm. Be sure to come to this free event! At the event, you can visit Santa Claus, enjoy musical entertainment, and watch the pier light up for the holidays. Judge Dick Fruin, founder of the Roundhouse Aquarium, will be speaking at the pier lighting. We will be kicking off our 30th anniversary in Manhattan Beach. So, be sure to come to the Roundhouse Aquarium to touch the marine animals, see the native fish, and watch the shark feeding at 12:30. We will be open from 10am–7:30pm and we hope to see you at the Roundhouse to Celebrate the Holiday Season and our 30th anniversary.

Roundhouse Winter Holiday Craft Extravaganza
Come join the Roundhouse for a festive weekend filled with Holiday and Ocean fun! Bring the whole family on Saturday, December 20th and Sunday, December 21st from 10am-sunset to this wonderful event sponsored by Chevron. While here, you can participate in holiday games, listen to holiday stories, create festive bookmarks, color holiday cards and learn more about the ocean. We hope you and your friends will get into the holiday spirit and celebrate the winter season with us!

Creature Feature for November

2008-11-12T11:18:00.000-08:00

Spiny Lobster

Description: The California Spiny Lobster is a beautiful rust color and has long antennae. It has numerous forward-directing spines on its back. These lobsters can grow up to 20 pounds and can live to be 100 years old! California Spiny lobsters lack the claws that most other lobsters have.

Defense: Although California Spiny Lobsters lack the large claws, they do have large antennae that they use for defense. They also have sharp spines on their backs and in a dangerous situation, they use their tail to propel themselves backwards.

Where they are Found: California Spiny Lobsters can be found from the tip of the Baja California Peninsula to Monterey, California. They can often be found hiding in rocks and caves.

Feeding: These lobsters are nocturnal and can be found at night eating clams, mussels, sea urchins, snails, kelp, worms, scallops and small fish.

WOW!!! This species of lobster lacks the large claws that Maine Lobsters have. Instead they have large sharp spines covering their bodies for protection.