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The Ocean

The Ocean
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1. What is the ocean?

The ocean is a body of salt water that covers 71% of the earth's surface. That's a lot of water!


There are 5 oceans on our planet. They are...


  • Pacific
  • Atlantic
  • Indian
  • Southern Antarctic
  • Arctic


The ocean is important to ALL LIFE on earth. It also is what controls most of the weather on our planet. Without the ocean, the earth as we know it would not exist.

2. Ocean Zones

The ocean has three different layers or zones. Each zone is like a different habitat and has plants and animals adapted to live in each zone.
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Sunlit Zone

There is a lot of sunlight in this zone! Most ocean plants and animals live here. Small animals called Plankton also live in this zone.
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Twilight Zone

Only a little sun can reach this layer. Water gets deeper and so does the pressure. Plants do not grow here. Some animals that live in this zone include jellyfish and Viperfish.
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Midnight Zone

There is NO light in this zone. It is completely dark. The water pressure is high and the temperature is almost freezing. Some animals that live here are Angler Fish and Vampire Squid.

3. Learn About New Sea Creatures

Click here to go to National Geographic Kids. You will read and write about some unique ocean animals.

4. Let's Explore the Midnight Zone

The otherworldly creatures in the ocean's deepest depths - Lidia Lins