Beachcombing
at Sandy Hook

Some of the more unusual objects that you can find while beach combing along the shore at Sandy Hook. Many people are surprised to find out that lobsters are harvested in New Jersey.

A tiny ghost crab is a wonderful find for a sharp eyed beach comber.

To read more abut them, click here.

Abandoned moon snail shells make a home for hermit crabs (top), slipper shells (left) and snail fur (left) because the hermit crab drags the shell above the sand, instead of through the sand, like the live snail.

(Below, left) Claws of: Jonah crab, hermit crab, lobster, blue crab and the shell of a rock crab. Moon jellyfish and brown pop weed.

(Below, right) The different animal groups present include: crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms and cnidarians.


A surf clam with the fragment of a fossil clam (top), the shell fragment (center) perforated by a boring sponge, and a juvenile clam (bottom) bored by a moon snail. To the left is a fossil oyster.

High hopes: an ambitious hermit crab brought back to the classroom tries to take over the largest shell in the aquarium.

To read about the rescue of some other trapped hermit crabs, click here.

Adult supervision is recommended for any beach walk.

Even the moon jelly stingers will hurt delicate skin if your niece puts them in her mouth.

West winds blow many flying creatures out to the beach, including this praying mantis.
There are also many insects that make their homes at the beach like this sand colored grass hopper.
Monarch butterflies that are blown out to sea concentrate in great numbers at Sandy Hook during September and October. This one is feeding on an aster. Notice the uncurled proboscis.

To read more about migrating butterflies on sandy Hook, click here.

There are manmade tide pools that form near the seawalls and jetties at the lowest (spring) tides.

To read about spring tides, storms and their affects, click here.

Halophytes are plants that tolerate salty environments. On the bay side you can find sea lavender which is used in dried flower arrangements. It is also known as marsh rosemary and was used by colonists as a moth repellent in their closets.

Links to current activities

http://teacheratsea.wordpress.com/category/noaa-teacher-at-sea-2/dave-grant/ 

http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/2008/grant/index.html 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEM27O7iZOA

http://sandyhookoceaninstitute.blogspot.com/

http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Movie/Misc/HTML/EM-0070-08.html 

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/education/arees_workshop.htm  

http://obg3.k12.sc.us/view/125.pdf 

http://tis.spacefrontier.org/ 

http://hahana.soest.hawaii.edu/hot/