Suisun Marsh

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Suisun Marsh

• Adaptation

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Halophytes plants that have adapted to salt
water

• Plants have found ways to handle the salt water
• Some plants push the salt crystals through holes
  in the bottom of their leaves
• Pickleweed pushes the salt to the end and that
  part of the plant falls off

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During the field trip look for the Halophytes in
the Suisun Marsh

• Salt Grass look for the salt crystals on the
  blade.
• Gum Plant look under the leaves to find the
  salt crystals.
• Pickleweed after the guide gives you some
  pickleweed, eat the tip.

Gum plant
4
Animal Adaptations to the Suisun Marsh

• Animals also have made changes to be able to live
  in the marsh.
• The Salt Marsh Harvest Mouse can drink salt water
  and eat Pickleweed but not be harmed.
• Cottontail rabbits will move their homes inland
  before the winter rains come.

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Other Adaptations Animals Use

• Camouflage
• Big ears
• Webbed feet
• Sharp claws or teeth
• Move silently
• Ability to dig or swim

• Using cover (plants) to hide from predators
• Good eye sight
• Size and shape of beak
• Move quickly