Marine Life Washes Up At Hawley School

By Larissa Lytwyn

The lobster’s tiny, crablike legs curled and extended — to the delight of Hawley Elementary School’s kindergarten class.

The exotic crustacean was the grand finale to a 45-minute presentation by Marina DeLuca, education coordinator at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk.

In addition to the lobster, Ms DeLuca introduced students to a sea star and green and spider crabs.

“Green crabs, when they are younger, can be as green as those pants!” said Ms DeLuca, pointing to one girl’s lime-green slacks.

Students and faculty alike gasped.

“That’s bright!” the girl said.

Ms DeLuca explained that they covered themselves with algae to camouflage themselves when both escaping possible predators and sneaking up on prey.

Because the animals’ claws were taped shut, students had the chance to touch the crab’s cool, hard shell.

“You’re all being very gentle,” Ms DeLuca commented approvingly as she allowed each child to touch the crab. “Excellent!”

Next she showed students the spider crabs, named for their unusually long, spidery appendages.

Ms DeLuca explained that crabs had unique senses, including the ability to sense vibration that humans did not have.

To help students understand the sense of vibration, one blindfolded student, holding a knot made from four different ropes held by four different students, had to identify which rope was being shaken at which time.

The educator also showed students an oversized, brightly illustrated marine life text.

Showing students pictures of stingrays and skates, she discussed how some animals, including the stingrays and skates, could sense heat, electricity, and even light.

“You know about light!” said Ms DeLuca. “How many of you have captured fireflies, you know, those insects that light up that you see in the summer?”

Several students clapped and smiled in recognition.

“Fireflies sense light,” explained Ms DeLuca.

She also talked about how humans share the five senses — sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell — with most animals, including the ones discussed introduced to them from the ocean world.

Ms DeLuca also made clear that some animals’ eyesight was not as sharp as humans, while others’ abilities exceeded that of humankind.

While crabs, for example, had poor eyesight, they had a highly developed sense of touch — including their unique sense of vibration.

To learn more about Maritime Aquarium exhibits and activities, call 203-852-0700 or view www.maritimeaquarium.org.