Back to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to experience one of the coolest classrooms around. Exploramer might sound like an amusement park, but it is actually an education and research centre right on the St. Lawrence River. We suited up in our boots and waders and joined Matthieu, one of the resident biologist, to learn about the river and its tidal pools.
I’m sure I’ve walked by many of these tiny creatures before and haven’t understood the complex ways they adapt to tides. For example we looked at four types of snails: rough periwinkle, periwinkle, waved whelk, and the common moon snail (this one was in the research centre). Rough periwinkle can stay closest to shore because they can block off their shell opening and survive until the tide return. Periwinkle are a little bigger and can’t seal up as well so they have stay a little farther out so they don’t have to wait as long for the tide. Waved Welk have a little notch in their shell opening so they really can’t stay out of the water very long at all. Moonsnails are even bigger and have to stay under water and burrow deep under the sand. We were out there, in the rain, for almost two hours. Don’t worry—we had a snack—Matthieu introduced us to some yummy sea grasses. Also, did you know that there are sharks in the St. Lawrence River? Here’s a few: Greenland (lives up to 500 years), Great White (rare but there have been sightings), Blue shark (most common), Basking Shark (migrates through) & Spiny Dogfish (which is actually a type of shark). Of course we didn’t see any. But they had models in the discovery centre. Oh, and in the category of weird—Did you know lobsters can be blue and pee to communicate with each other? A huge thank you to Exploramer for this fascinating experience. You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
Ray & Diane HomewoodSharing the Blessing of Travel in Quebec Canada Archives |