Page 11 - North State Parent July 2020

for community By Cheryl Maguire
Kid,s Beach Questions Answered
“Who wants to go to the beach?” In our family, this question is almost al- ways answered with, “Me!” During the summer, we pack up our beach buggy, a large cart that holds just about everything, and spend the day with our toes in the sand or surf. With the advancing heat in the upper Sacramento River Valley, your family may also be saying, “Me too!” and packing up for a cool
day at the coast.
My curious children plus multiple hours spent
oceanside led to many inquiries about their surround- ings. I often have no idea about the answers, and I end up pleading ignorance. My daughter asked me once, “Do you know anything about the beach and ocean?”
So, I created this list of questions and answers about the beach. Now you will know the correct responses and hopefully prevent your children from wondering if you passed high school science. For the record, I got an A in my biology class. Besides helping you appear smart to your children, you can also use this list to create a trivia game.
Why does it sound like the ocean when you hold a shell up to your ear?
It’s actually the sound of your own ear fluid being echoed back to you.
How are seashells made?
One common type of seashell is the one found on clams. To create the shell, the clam takes in salt and chemicals from the ocean water. The clam uses these materials to produce calcium carbonate, which is se- creted on the outside of their bodies and hardens to cre- ate a shell.
How is sea glass made?
Sea glass is the result of people discarding glass into the ocean. It can take decades before the glass becomes smooth. This smoothing process is a result of the glass being tossed around by the ocean waves and dragged against the sand.
Is sea glass worth money?
It can be. Like gems, it depends on different factors such as color and shape. One piece of sea glass has sold for more than $1,000.
What is the most common color of sea glass?
The most common colors of sea glass are white, green and brown.
What is the rarest color of sea glass?
The rarest colors of sea glass are red, orange and yellow.
Are there different types of seagulls?
What most people refer to as a seagull is a herring gull. The herring gull can differ in size and color depend- ing on the age. Adults are mostly white with a gray back. Juvenile herring gulls are brown. These types of birds are scavengers and are usually found near food. There is also another type of gull called the great black- backed gull which is found along the coasts and looks similar to the herring gull. This bird is the largest gull in the world. There are two dozen different species of gulls living in North America.
How can the seagull drink the seawater?
The seagull has special glands in their eyes that al- low them to excrete the salt.
Do seagulls have nests and lay eggs?
Yes, seagulls lay eggs and have nests. Seagulls of- ten place the nest near a rock, log or bush to protect it
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Photos by Francesca Murgia Photography