This document is a storybook titled "A Fantastically Numbered Book for Second Grade" that takes readers through pages 1 to 32, introducing them to different ocean creatures. Each page features 1-3 creatures and provides 1-2 facts about their appearance, behavior, habitat, diet, etc. Some creatures covered include beluga whales, blue whales, bottlenose dolphins, Christmas Island crabs, clown anemonefish, giant squids, hammerhead sharks, harp seals, jellyfish, loggerhead sea turtles, octopuses, pufferfish, seahorses, stingrays, and walruses. The book aims to educate children about ocean life in an engaging way through
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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!”
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. 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.
24. 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.
25. 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.
26. 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.
27. 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.
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. 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.
33. 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!
34. References
Information:
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http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/.
Pictures:
Associated Newspaper Limited. (June 25, 2008). Losing Nemo as clownfish near extinction. Retrieved from
http://metro.co.uk/2008/06/25/losing-nemo-as-clownfish-near-extinction-219689/.
Fotopedia. (August 31, 2012). Beluga Whales Heading Up. Retrieved from
http://1000cutethings.tumblr.com/post/30615780086/689-beluga-whales-heading-up-two-beluga-
whales-at.
Gecko, L. (August 9, 2011). Ganesh, The Coconut Octopus. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/luko/6159736321/.
Jabroniville. (March 10, 2011). Great Hammerhead Shark. Retrieved from
http://atomicthinktank.com/viewtopic.php?p=736010.
Jrworldphotos.com. (April 27, 2012). Friday Listicle: Top Ten Most Unique Lakes in the World. Retrieved from
http://blog.roomorama.com/2012/04/27/friday-listicle-top-ten-most-unique-lakes-in-the-world/.
Kirkman, S.P., Lavigne, D.M. (April 2010). Assessing the hunting practices of Namibia’s commercial seal hunt. South
African Journal of Science, 106. 3-4. Retrieved from
http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S0038-23532010000200002&script=sci_arttext.
35. References
Information:
Kratochvil.P. (2008-2013). Free Stock Photo: Small Clear Jellyfish. Retrieved from
http://www.freestockphotos.biz/stockphoto/6124.
National Geographic. (1996-2013). The Ocean. Retrieved from
http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/?source=NavEnvOcean.
Ong, J. (May 2, 2013). WemoLab releases Superfugu, an iPad kids game to go with its online underwater universe.
Retrieved from http://thenextweb.com/apps/2013/05/02/wemo-labs-releases-superfugu-an-ipad-kids-game-to-go-
with-its-online-underwater-universe/.
Pet Turtles and More. (2008-2013). Mobert the Turtle. Retrieved from
http://www.petturtlesandmore.com/blog/morbert-the-turtle-turtle-picture-reader-submission.html/ .
Ranveig. (July 6, 2007). Harp Seal Colony. Retrieved from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Harp_Seal_colony.jpg.
Red Fir Court. Bottlenose Dolphins. Retrieved from
http://www.orgsites.com/ca/i-love-dolphins/_pgg4.php3.
Shaked, H. (August 2010). Hatchling Loggerhead Sea Turtles near Atlit Israel. Retrieved from
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hatchling_Loggerhead_Sea_Turtles_near_Atlit_Israel.jpg.
36. References
Information:
Solha, M. (June 14, 2008). Stingrays @ Sandbar- Stingray City. Retrieved from
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11207746 .
Stansbery, M. (December 20, 2012). Giant Squid Video to be Featured on Discovery Channel. Retrieved from
http://www.reefs.com/blog/2012/12/20/giant-squid-video-to-be-featured-on-discovery-channel-2/.
Weheartit.com. (December 6, 2011). Seahorse FAQ. Retrieved from
https://seahorseproject.wordpress.com/2011/12/06/seahorse-faq/.
White Wolf. (March 29, 2013). Amazing Annual Red Crab Exodus on Christmas Island. Retrieved from
http://www.whitewolfpack.com/2013_03_01_archive.html.
Wildscreen. (2003-2013). Blue Whale. Retrieved from
http://www.arkive.org/blue-whale/balaenoptera-musculus/image-G113098.html.
Wildscreen. (2003-2013). Walrus. Retrieved from http://www.arkive.org/walrus/odobenus-rosmarus/image-G57655.html.
37. 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!