Shellfish

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/shellfish

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 classification?Includes species from Phylum Arthropoda (Crustacea) and Phylum Mollusca
2. What is the habitat range?Marine (oceans, seas), freshwater (lakes, rivers), and some terrestrial environments
3. Where do shellfish live?Most shellfish live in oceans, from the shoreline to deep sea. Some live in rivers, lakes, and even on land as special crabs.
4. Why are shellfish important for the ocean?They eat tiny plants and animals, helping keep the water clean. They also give food to fish, birds, and mammals.

Invertebrates: Animals lacking a vertebral column, forming the vast majority of animal species.
Exoskeleton: A rigid external covering that provides support and protection, characteristic of arthropods.
Phytoplankton: Microscopic marine algae that form the base of many aquatic food webs.
Zooplankton: Microscopic animals that drift in aquatic environments, serving as a food source for larger organisms.