Cabezon

Scientific Name: Scorpaenichthys marmoratus

Diet: Crustaceans, fish, molluscs

Habitat: Found in kelp forests and range from southeast Alaska to Baja, Ca

About: The Cabezon gets its name from the Spanish language and it means "large head". Cabezons are able to swallow their prey whole, when prey like crustaceans is consumed the Cabezon will regurgitate it. Their life cycles are very interesting- Adult female Cabezon spawn on rocky outcrops (rock formation that is visible from the surface) and the male Cabezon will gaurd the eggs until they hatch. Once the eggs have hatched the young will drift out to sea and develop physical characteristics that resemble silver fish. The young will hide in the drifting kelp until mature. As the Cabezon become adults they settle in tide pools and will travel back and forth from reefs and kelp forests.

Pacific Red Octopus

Scientific Name: Octopus rubescens

Diet: Small crabs, hermit crabs and other crustaceans, molluscs, and fish

Habitat: Found in kelp forest and range from Central Alaska to Northern Mexico

About: The Pacific Red Octopi get their name from the color of their skin, however the redish, brownish color they typically have is not the only color they can be. They have to ability to turn yellow, brown, white, red or a variety of marbled colors. This color changing adaptation is enhanced by the octopi being able to change their skin textures to conceal them in sandy and rocky areas. The Pacific Red Octopi also have beaks that are very sharp. They use these beaks to open crabs and other crustaceans, from there the octopi inject their prey with venom. The Pacific Red Octopi will live to be about two years old. They have three hearts; one pumps blood through the body and the other two hearts pump blood through their gills. Despite having excellent vision the Pacific Red Octopui tend to rely on smell and touch when hunting prey.

Pile Surfperch

Scientific Name: Rhacochilus vacca

Diet: Large-shelled invertebrates (molluscs and crabs)

Habitat: Found in the dense kelp forest and areas with pilings or underwater structures. They range from Wrangell, southeastern Alaska to Guadalupe Island and off the north-central area of Baja California, Mexico

About: Pile surfperch are a dark grey or brown with silver metallic shine all over its body. The body of the pile surfperch is compressed on each side and has an overall deep oval shape body. They will live to be at least 10 years old and grow to be about 44 centimeters long or around 11 inches. They tend to be found in water depths of 46 meters or 150 feet.

Red Rock Crab

Scientific Name: Cancer productus

Diet: Worms, clams, mussels, other crustaceans and invertebrates 

Habitat: Found in tide pools, rocky and sandy areas around the Pacific Ocean on the West side of North America, from Alaska to San Diego

About: Red Rock Crabs are relatives to the well-known Dungeness Crab, but the Red Rock Crab is smaller. The females, on average, grow to be about five inches and the males grow to be about seven inches. They are distinguishable by their deep red color and black tips on the ends of their legs. Depending on the location, the tone of the crabs will change. They more north you are, the darker the tone of red the crab is. Red Rock Crabs have five teeth protruding anteriorly between their eyes and nine teeth protruding laterally to the side of each eye. Red Rock Crabs will mate in the summer after the female has molted. Because the female is exposed with no shell to protect her, the male will guard her by holding her under his abdomen. This situation can last several weeks until the females exoskeleton has harden.