Orcinus orca!

Orcinus orcas are one of my favorite mammals! They are also called Orca whales or killer whales. They are the fastest marine mammals. They can swim up to 34 mph. They can be as long as 30 feet and their dorsal fin can grow up to 6 feet tall. They can weigh up to 11 tons! They eat 100 to 300 pounds of food a day. They eat fish and sharks. One of their main foods are seals and sea lions. They are one of only a few whales that purposely go onto shore to get sea lions or seals to eat.  They live in groups called pods. There is usually an older female in charge of each pod. Males and females stay in the pod of their mother. They mate with whales from other pods. They can live up to 90 years. Their gestation period is 16 to 17 months. Orcinus orcas live in all the oceans of the world including the Santa Barbara Channel. They are suuuuuuuuuuuuuuper cool!!!!!

by Emma R.

What is the difference between an estuary and a slough?

Nothing!
Estuaries are usually found where a creek or a river meets the sea.
Because the water in a slough is brackish, (a mixture of fresh and saltwater) it hosts a large array of unique plant and wildlife. Many species of wildlife rely on estuaries for food, breeding grounds and housing. A slough is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world.
Human populations also rely on estuaries for food, recreation and employment. As a result, many towns and cities have been built on or near a slough. Unfortunately this has lead to a decline of the health of the sloughs, making estuaries one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world.
We should do our very best in trying to preserve these very important habitats so that we can learn from and enjoy the wonderful life that they provide.

by Emma I.