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Columbia is the
westernmost province on Canada's Pacific coast. The region is
found between the northwestern states of Washington and Alaska.
A line of mountains to the west of the coastline extends through
Vancouver, inland and north to the Queen Charlotte Islands, sheltering
the water route known as the Inside Passage from the Pacific Ocean.
Dense forests, picturesque mountains and a fjord-lined coastline
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Giant Pacific octopus
The Giant Pacific octopus (Octopus dofleini)
is the largest of its kind. These gentle giants are harmless
and shy. They have an average arm span of 15 feet (4.5
m) and weigh between 10-60 pounds (4.5 - 27 kg). Unusually
large specimens have reached 100 - 600 pounds (45 - 272
kg), with an arm span of 28 feet (8.5 m). They are able
to change color instantly for protection and communication of
emotions. The eight-armed creature has 240 suckers per
limb (total of 1,920). Its suckers are used for moving
and grabbing food, mostly clams and crabs. If threatened,
this invertebrate can produce an ink screen to confuse
predators.
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Northern red anemone
Northern red anemones (Tealia crassicornis)
are usually observed firmly attached to rocks. They are
found near the low tide line in protected places, often
shaded by seaweed. Northern red anemones can grow to 5 inches
(12.7 cm) high and 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide, with a hundred
or more tentacles arranged in rings around the mouth.
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Giant green anemone
The Giant green anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
can grow to a diameter of 12 inches (30.4 cm). They range
in color from green to blue-green or gray. Short, thick
tentacles are arranged in rings around the central mouth.
This anemone is found on rocks and in tide pools where
they feed on small fish, algae, plankton, snails, mussels
and crabs.
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Tiger rockfish
The Tiger rockfish (Sebastes nigrocinctus)
is striped like a tiger. They are solitary, often territorial
and rarely stray from their area, preferring to hide in
small crevices. They can be found from Alaska to California.
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© Copyright 2002, The Dallas World Aquarium, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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