Coastal Animals
Coastal Animals occupy areas along the coast. As coastal areas are part of the littoral zone, there is a large amount of marine life found just off-coast. Coastal Animals encompass a wide range of animals like puffins, sea turtles, rockhopper penguins, and many more. Sea snails and a diverse group of barnacles live on the coast and scavenge on food from the sea. Coastal Animals like dolphins and seagulls are used to humans in developed areas, as tourists throw them food. Seabirds like pelicans, cormorants, terns, and oystercatchers forage for fish and shell fish on the coast, and on the coast of Wales there are sea lions.
Animals adapt to the coast by adjusting to living in salty water as well as being able to withstand being covered or uncovered by the tide. Further coastal adaptations also include being able to hide or escape quickly from predators, finding food, and staying in a safe place as the tides move.
Coasts are important for wildlife because they serve as nesting grounds for species of sea turtles as well as are habitats for animals like beach mice. Coasts are also important foraging areas for migratory shorebirds. Coasts are important as they are used in cohesion by all species of animals.
Coastal erosion affects animals and humans as it causes sea levels to rise, flooding, as well as stronger waves. Coastal erosion also causes the gradual loss of land that is important to many animals. Coastal erosion is when a portion of land is lost within a shoreline by either natural events or manmade decisions.
