Cod

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/cod

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Gadus (genus), including Gadus morhua (Atlantic cod) and Gadus macrocephalus (Pacific cod)
2. What is the diet?Carnivore; adults consume a wide range of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks
3. Where do cod like to swim?Cod swim over sandy, gravelly, or rocky sea floors, from the shallow intertidal zone down to several hundred meters deep. They also move to special nursery spots when they are young.
4. Why are cod important to the ocean?Cod eat many kinds of small fish and animals, helping keep the ocean food chain balanced. When cod numbers drop, other fish and animals can be affected too.

Demersal Fish: Fish that live and feed near the bottom of the ocean.
Trophic Cascade: Indirect effects in a community that are initiated by a predator.
Fisheries Management: The organization and regulation of commercial fishing activities to ensure sustainability.