Sardina

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/sardina

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?Sardina pilchardus
2. What is the diet?Primarily planktivorous, feeding on phytoplankton and zooplankton filtered from seawater
3. What do sardines eat and why is it important for the ocean?Sardines filter tiny plants and animals called phytoplankton and zooplankton. This keeps the water clear and gives food to bigger fish and animals.
4. How do sardines protect themselves from predators?They swim in huge groups that move together, making it hard for predators to pick one out. When danger comes, they quickly change direction and speed.

Pelagic: Relating to the open ocean, away from the coast or the sea floor.
Trophic Link: An organism that connects different levels in a food chain, transferring energy.
Indicator Species: A species whose health and population size reflect the overall condition of its ecosystem.