What is Rock pool?
[[File:Porto Covo February 2009-2.jpg|300px|thumb|A tide pool in [[Porto Covo]], west coast of [[Portugal]]]] [[File:Tide pools in santa cruz.jpg|300px|thumb|Inside a tide pool in [[Santa Cruz, California]] showing [[sea star]]s, [[sea anemone]]s, and [[sea sponge]]s.]] [[Image:Pteropurpura trialata is laying the eggs 1.jpg|Low tide zone in a tide pool|thumb|250px|right|alt=Photo of dozens of palm-tree shaped seaweed plants exposed to the air.]] [[Image:Close-up of clone war of sea anemones.jpg|thumb|250px|Sea anemones, ''Anthopleura sola'' engaged in a battle for territory]] '''Rock pools''' (or 'tide pools') are rocky pools by the [[sea]]. They are in the [[intertidal zone]]. They are filled with [[seawater]] during [[high tides]] and exist as separate pools at [[low tide]]. Tide pools are [[habitat]]s of uniquely adaptable [[animal]]s that have engaged the special attention of naturalists and [[marine biology|marine biologists]].<ref name=NPCA>{{cite news| title = NPCA Tide pools| publisher = npca.org| date = September 5, 2008| url = http://www.npca.org/marine_and_coastal/beaches/tide_pools.html| accessdate = 2008-09-06| archive-date = 2008-09-24| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080924061051/http://www.npca.org/marine_and_coastal/beaches/tide_pools.html| url-status = dead}}</ref> == The rock pool habitat == Tide pools are a home for hardy organisms such as sea stars, mussels and clams. They must be able to cope with a constantly changing [[environment]] — fluctuations in water [[temperature]], [[salinity]], and [[oxygen]] content. Huge [[Ocean surface wave|waves]], strong [[Ocean current|currents]], exposure to midday [[sun]] and [[Predation|predators]] are only a few of the [[hazard]]s that rock pool [[animal]]s must endure to survive. [[Ocean surface wave|Waves]] can dislodge [[mussel]]s and draw them out to [[sea]]. [[Gull]]s pick up and drop [[sea urchin]]s to break them open. [[Starfish]] prey on [[mussel]]s and are eaten by gulls themselves. Even [[American Black Bear|black bears]] som