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Underwater Communication

Activity

Create Your Own Fish Language!

Go to the pond and observe the fish. How do you think they communicate? Do you see any behaviors or interactions that stand out to you? Create your own “underwater language” and test it out with your friends! Think about how underwater communication is different from talking on land, like using sound vibrations, body language, or light signals.

Science Seed

Fish use a variety of ways to communicate, including body movements, sounds, and color changes. For example, tilapia often use body movements, like darting quickly, to warn other fish of danger or to find food. Catfish are known to make low grunting sounds, especially at night, to communicate with other catfish or signal their territory. Bass are territorial and may flash their fins or spread their gill covers to warn off intruders or signal aggression. These behaviors help fish interact with each other, protect their territory, and find mates.

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earn Badges

Badges can be earned through hands-on experiences within each of the 16 branches of science, or “Science Slices.” You can earn a badge in each branch of science by doing four activities in these categories. We also encourage participants to keep a Nature Journal to record their memories, and to express themselves creatively through writing or drawing after each activity. We recommend that each child (and parent if they’d like) write or draw in a journal after each activity, with expectations of your children that match their age (the goal is self-expression, not perfection).

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join Families in Nature

It is our vision to inspire all families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists. Becoming a member of Families in Nature will give your family the opportunity to have adventures in nature, experience field science, develop as youth conservation leaders, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Memberships are free for everyone.

Who are we?

Families in Nature works to create opportunities for nature connection with the purpose of sparking a deep love and desire to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Our mission is to connect children and their families to nature and to each other through time spent learning, playing, and volunteering outdoors. It is our vision to inspire ALL families to fall in love with nature and foster the next generation of conservationists.

This project was made possible by HEB.