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Blue Glaucus Atlanticus Diet and Habitat — Reading Comprehension

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This engaging reading passage, perfect for Grade 5 students, delves into the captivating world of the Blue Glaucus Atlanticus. Students will learn about this unique sea slug's diet, which includes venomous prey, and its open ocean habitat. The passage defines key terms like 'predator' and 'venomous' using simple language. Aligned with NGSS LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships, it highlights how organisms are connected in food webs. The content includes a reading passage and various activities (quizzes, glossary, short answer questions) to reinforce comprehension. All content is audio integrated for enhanced learning.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Blue Glaucus floats upside down, eating venomous prey in the open ocean. 📘 Image caption: Blue Glaucus absorbs venom from prey for defense in the pelagic zone. — Blue Glaucus absorbs venom from prey for defense in the pelagic zone.

Meet the Blue Glaucus Atlanticus
The blue glaucus, also known as the blue dragon or blue sea slug, is a tiny but fierce ocean animal. It grows only 1 to 1.5 inches long, but it has amazing powers that help it survive in the sea.

Where Does It Live?
The blue glaucus is a surface dweller. It floats at the top of the ocean, in both tropical (warm) and temperate (mild) waters all around the world. You can find it in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. The blue glaucus floats upside-down by holding an air bubble in its stomach, drifting wherever the wind and currents take it. It cannot swim against the waves, so it travels by floating along.

What Does It Eat?
This small creature has a surprising diet! The blue glaucus eats the Portuguese man-o-war, a jellyfish-like animal that most creatures avoid because of its painful stings. The blue glaucus is immune to these stings. It also eats other floating stingers, like by-the-wind sailors and blue buttons.

Superpower: Stealing Venom
When the blue glaucus eats its prey, it does not digest the stinging cells, called nematocysts. Instead, it moves these stinging cells to finger-like parts on its body called cerata. The blue glaucus can even make the stingers stronger than before! When a predator tries to attack, the blue glaucus uses the stolen stingers for protection. It’s like a tiny floating pirate—attacking dangerous prey, stealing their weapons, and using them against others.

How Does It Hide?
The blue glaucus uses countershading to blend in. Its bright blue belly faces up toward the water, hiding it from above, while its silvery back faces down, camouflaging it from below. This helps it avoid predators from both directions.

Beach Safety
Sometimes, blue glaucus wash up on beaches. Even after they die, their stingers can still hurt, so never touch one!

Interesting Fact:
The blue glaucus can turn the stings of its prey into an even more powerful weapon for itself!

Where does the blue glaucus live?

At the ocean surfaceDeep in the sandOn rocksIn coral reefs

What does the blue glaucus eat?

Portuguese man-o-warSeaweedSmall fishShrimp

How does the blue glaucus protect itself?

Uses stolen stingersHides under rocksSwims fastBuilds a shell

Why is the blue glaucus called a 'pirate'?

Steals stingers from preyLives on a shipDigs for treasureWears an eyepatch

What would happen if the blue glaucus could not float?

It would sink and not surviveIt would swim fasterIt would eat moreIt would glow