Counting the Ocean’s Creatures

A Fantastically Numbered Book for Second GradeBy: Elanna Stein

Children’s Literature- ELED 3333

Why hello there! I’m 1 little Seahorse here to play, I would like to help you count today. My

name is Counting Carl and I will take you through, this book of numbered creatures, pages

1 to 32.

1

No time to wait, we must explore. Don’t

hesitate we must see more!

2

Look over there, what do I see? It’s 2 Beluga Whales staring at me! They’re short and

white and sneaky too. They travel in pods as one big crew.

Did you know: Beluga Whales are one of the smallest whale species. They also like to spend

time playing and spying on people! Beluga’s also travel in groups, called Pods.

3

Clicking, clanging and swimming in ice, the two Beluga’s find slimy food nice. They twist and turn with their head so round, their teeth

keep their fish from hitting the ground.

Did you know: Beluga Whales communicate by making tons of noises, such as clicks and

whistles. They also eat slimy foods like fish, ocean worms and crustaceans. Belugas also

have flexible, round heads and relatively sharp teeth to help them eat.

4

And see over there, 3 large creatures indeed, on shrimp and tiny morsels these blue whales do feed. They chew and they chomp with their

hairbrush like teeth. Air is an option, but in water they will be.

Did you know: Blue whales are the largest mammals in the world. A baby blue whale, called a

calf, weighs 2 tons when it is born. Blue whales also have comb like teeth to eat tiny bits of

shrimp, called krill. Blue whales can breathe air, but prefer the water.

5

These massive blue whales like to make themselves seen. They live in all oceans,

waters clear, blue, and green. If you happen to see one, be quiet as a mouse, for they are

not petite, but as big as a house.

Did you know: Beluga whales are one of the few mammals that are found in all of the world’s oceans. They have washed up on many different shores and are nearly impossible to move by human strength

alone.

6

What are those creatures? I see 1, 2, 3, 4. Why, they are bottlenose dolphins, they are heard from the ocean floor. They talk with special noises and are protective at best.

They use their warning system, not heard by the rest.

Did you know: These dolphins get their name because their nose looks like a bottle. They talk by slapping their tail

and squeaking. Bottlenose dolphins also send warning signals out through a noise system called echolocation. This

protects themselves, as well as other dolphins from predators.

7

When these dolphins are born their head is no where to be found. Their tail comes out first so they don’t accidentally drown. When they grow

up they eat squid, shrimp, and fish. They can see, hear, and talk, but good smell is just a wish.

Did you know: Bottlenose dolphins are born tail first so they don’t drown. They love to eat fish,

squid, and crustaceans, such as shrimp. They have an amazing sense of sight and hearing, but their

sense of smell is not so good.

8

Look alive! Small creatures up ahead, it looks like 5. These tiny beings are Christmas

Island Crabs, unlike some other creatures their belly has no flab. They come from

Australia and create a sea of red. They can lay 100,000 eggs and over land their

offspring spread.

Did you know: Christmas Island Red Crabs are found in Australia. They migrate to the sea every

year where they can lay up to 100,000 eggs. Their bodies only grow up to 4.5 inches, making them

tiny, but mighty ocean creatures.

9

These strong little crabs must always stay wet, but they eat quite a lot, on that you can

bet. These tiny red creatures are quite healthy eaters. If they were ever on a diet

they would not be cheaters.

Did you know: Christmas Island Red Crabs need to stay in the shade and keep their body

wet while they migrate. They eat healthy foods, such as leaves, flowers, fruits, and seedlings.

10

These fishy entertainers look like they have some tricks. I see white and orange bodies,

oh my, it looks like 6. Those are clown anemone fish and are all born as men. If the group needs a woman he will only change

then.

Did you know: Clown anemone fish are orange with three white stripes. They are all

born as males, but change into females if their group inside of their house, called an Anemone,

needs a female to give birth to more fish.

11

Although called clowns, these fish are not funny. They are hunted by predators much scarier than a bunny. They flee from sharks

and stingrays, no fun, but are drawn to smaller things, such as algae and plankton.

Did you know: Clown anemone fish are hunted by sharks and stingrays. These fish eat smaller foods,

such as algae, plankton, and the leftovers from their anemone. Even though these fish live in

Anemone, they also receive food from it. Talk about an “all purpose house!”

12

For one small second, I thought I was in heaven, but now I see scary giant squids. It looks like 7. Their legs are so long and they

seem mighty grand. Their eyes are like dinner plates or a drum in a band.

Did you know: Giant squids can grow up to 33 feet in length and weigh about 440 pounds. Their eyes are as big as some beach balls or

dinner plates. They’re the biggest invertebrates on earth.

13

These giant squids change colors and float about the floor. To all those

creatures out there, you don’t have time to snore. Beware of your surroundings all fish, shrimp, and squid. I would go and

hide right now. You should know I certainly did!

Did you know: Giant squids can change colors to match their surroundings. Giant squids can also eat fish, shrimp, other squid, and even attack

small whales if they’re hungry enough.

14

Oh this is lovely, just simply great, I see hammerhead sharks, it looks like 8. They hunt with heads that look like tools and

their body structure doesn’t follow human rules.

Did you know: Hammerhead Sharks use their hammer shaped head to hunt and trap

stingrays. These sharks are actually not made up of bone, but cartilage. Their whole body

feels like the tip of our nose.

15

They swim around in hot waters, looking for food for their sons and daughters. They’re lengthy, thick, and sturdy too.

They have so many babies they could start their own zoo.

Did you know: Hammerhead sharks are found in tropical waters. They can grow up to thirteen feet and weigh as much as 500 pounds. Hammerheads

eat many different types of creatures, such as stingrays, lobsters, bony fish, crabs, and squid. These sharks also have anywhere from six-fifty

babies in their lifetime.

16

Now this is simply wonderful, absolutely fine! I spot fuzzy little harp seals. After counting

there are 9. These happy little divers love the waters nice and icy. They eat cod and other

fish, but I know it’s nothing spicy.

Did you know: Harp seals love to swim and dive. They can dive as far as 1,000 feet to find food. They eat cod, herring, and Capelin fish. After

eating all of that fish and growing large amounts of blubber to stay warm, they can weigh over 400

pounds.

17

These adorable, round creatures live in colonies so grand. They grow new fur each

year to live on both the sea and land.

Did you know: Harp Seals live in colonies called rookeries. Harp Seals also grow new fur each year. They get new fur just like we change our

clothing. Harp seals also come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. Look’s like we are not too

different from these seals after all.

18

I see jellyfish. Here we go again. Let me stop and count. Oh no I see 10! These bell-shaped creatures can bend with such ease, but these guys sure can sting, stay away

from them please.

Did you know: Jellyfish are a bell shape and have a mouth hole inside of their body. They can bend easily because they don’t have a backbone. Jellyfish also sting their prey with

their tentacles. They don’t try to hurt humans, but they can sting us if we accidentally step on

one.

19

The jellyfish are loved by turtles, but they try to stay away. For they have better

things to do like hunt and eat their prey.

Did you know: Turtles love to eat jellyfish. However, Jellyfish try to stay away from turtles

so they can eat their prey. Jellyfish love fish, shrimp, crabs, and even other jellyfish.

20

I spot some more creatures, seems like a group of more than 7. Those are Loggerhead Sea Turtles and they’re in a set of 11. Their head looks like a log and they pack quite a

crunch. They look like they could live a while, but don’t eat them for lunch.

Did you know: Loggerhead Sea Turtles get their name from their head that looks like a log. These turtles also have jaws that help them eat conch shells, horseshoe crabs, and other hard creatures. These Sea Turtles can live up to 50 years, but they are a threatened species

right now.

21

The turtles eat things so crunchy, but like softer creatures when they need a munchy. From eating lots of tasty food their growing

bellies do protrude.

Did you know: Turtles like to eat hard, crunchy creatures, but they also like softer creatures, such

as seaweed, jellyfish, and brown algae. Loggerhead Sea Turtles can grow to 36 inches and

weigh up to 250 pounds.

22

Let’s delve into this group of 12. These creatures have eight legs. This being, called an Octopus lays so many eggs. If eight arms

was not enough, this thing weighs quite a bit. It’s alright if it fights and takes a major

hit.

Did you know: An Octopus lays thousands of eggs under rocks to keep the babies safe. If this eight armed creature loses an arm it will simply grow a new arm. An Octopus also weighs 150

pounds and can grow up to 20 feet.

23

The Octopus loves water so warm, but be careful if its predators swarm. When this

eight legged creature gets mildly scared, it doesn’t hesitate to squirt ink everywhere.

Besides the ink it can change in a blink and eats more creatures than one would think.

Did you know: Octopi love to swim in warm waters. These creatures also squirt an ink like

substance if they feel threatened or scared. These ocean creatures eat foods, such as crab, shrimp,

and lobster.

24

Over there, what are those? They are creatures I have rarely seen. They look like Puffer Fish, I suppose, and there is a total of 13. These fish blow up, cause much harm, and eat small creatures, too. They swim in warm oceans all over the place, but won’t

be found in a zoo.

Did you know: Puffer fish can blow up to protect themselves when they feel threatened. One Puffer

Fish also emits a toxic substance which is dangerous enough to harm 30 humans. These fish live in tropical and subtropical waters and feed on invertebrates, algae, mussels, clams, and other

fish.

25

These puffy little fish can grow 3 feet in size and with 4 teeth in one they eat

prey, you realize. For, if you ever see a fish that’s blown up, I would run, run,

run and never give up.

Did you know: Puffer Fish can grow up to 3 feet long. They also have four teeth that are fused together as one big unit. This one large tooth

helps them eat their prey.

26

Gee, what is this, I see my own kind; 14 little seahorses, just simply divine. We have

heads like ponies and eat through our snout. We don’t worry about much danger

because we can see all about.

Did you know: Seahorse get their names from their horse shaped heads. They also eat food, such as tiny

organisms through their snout. Seahorses have eyes that can see independently from each other. This means that they can see in two different directions at the same time.

27

We love the warm water and staying quite small. Our mom gives dad her eggs and he carries them all. We’re

very interesting creatures, quite interesting in fact. We stick together

always, we stay in our pack.

Did you know: Seahorses live in tropical and temperate waters. These creatures range from two to twelve inches in length. A female gives

the male her eggs and he holds them in a spot, called a brood pouch, until the baby Seahorses

are born.

28

I see more ocean animals, to be exact, 15. Those beings are called Stingrays and look simply serene. However, do be careful for their tail is not a treat. They grow so deep

and wide from everything they eat.

Did you know: A Stingray’s tail is like a sword so it can defend itself from predators. These

creatures eat clams, oysters, shrimp, crabs, and mussels. Stingrays can grow up to 6.5 feet and

weigh as much as 790 pounds.

29

Stingrays are just like sharks, rather bendable, indeed. They are different from other

creatures whenever they feed. They have a mouth on top and all else below. In the

shallowest of waters they’re unafraid to go.

Did you know: Stingrays are completely made of cartilage, which means they have no bones. This

places them in the same category as sharks. Let’s just say they are distant cousins. Stingrays also like to swim in shallow waters near the shore.

30

Last, but not least I see Walruses, 16. These mustached creatures love the

ocean floor scene. They have long tusks and fins so flat, they can live years and

years, would you look at that.

Did you know: Walruses have whiskers that look like a mustache. They are also bottom feeders and love foods,

such as clams, that live deep within the ocean floor. Walruses have long tusks with flat fins. These creatures

can also live up to 40 years in the wild.

31

With tons of blubber and brown wrinkly skin, these huggable ocean creatures look

like they have no chin.

Did you know: Walruses weigh 1.5 tons and have as much blubber as they do so they can

slow their heartbeat down to stay warm. Walruses also have brown, wrinkly skin.

32

As you can see our story is through, of the numbered ocean creatures, pages one to thirty two. They live in different places and not one looks the same, but the next time you might see one, at least you’ll know its name. Each creature is so special, whether from the sea or land. Never forget the ocean creatures for they all are oh so grand!

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with-its-online-underwater-universe/.Pet Turtles and More. (2008-2013). Mobert the Turtle. Retrieved from

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Counting The Ocean’s Creatures

Come join Counting Carl as he explores the unseen parts of the ocean. He meets numerous creatures, large and small. He will help

you discover them all!