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Omnivorous, they eat kelp blades and both live and dead animal material. Their predators include the seastars , octopus, moon snails, and gulls. Most active at night, often move up and down the beach with the tide. They can be found nearshore on fairly quiet, protected beaches and farther offshore on more exposed beaches. While burrowing it raises its long siphon up through the sand as a snorkel. The foot is wedge shaped to facilitate plowing. Olivella biplicata, commonly known as purple dwarf olive snails, burrow themselves in sand, leaving a plowed trail behind it. Purple Olive SnailsĪs you walk nearer the shoreline to the waters edge, you may see tiny little bumps in the sand. There is often driftwood and marine debris along the high tide line, pushed up against the base of the cliff atop the rocks and small boulders. Upon hiking down the south trail you will first come to a small sandy beach. Let’s now begin our guided hike of the south cove at Cape Arago.
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Nearby, there are two additional state parks: Sunset Bay (a sandy beach protected by towering sea cliffs – perfect for sunbathing and swimming) and Shore Acres (a lushly planted garden perched on rugged sandstone cliffs high above the ocean – once the famed estate of Louis Simpson). The north trail lets visitors view offshore colonies of seals and sea lions (however, the trail is closed from March – June to protect the seal pups during birthing season). Visitors to the area can also enjoy whale watching, crabbing, fishing, and scuba diving. The south trail leads to tide pools teaming with diverse sea life. Tucked away below the cliffs, a short walk along the steep trails will take you to a secluded cove where tide pools and fossils can be found. The tide pools at Cape Arago are incomparable. Here, you’ll find easy access to both the North and South Coves of Cape Arago. Today, I am delighted to take you on a guided tide pool “hike” to one of the hidden gems of the Oregon seashore. I spent many long summer days exploring the tide pool and estuarine habitats in my neighborhood.Ī naturalist at heart, I have inundated myself in ecology and natural sciences ever since, completing the coursework to become an Oregon Coast Master Naturalist a few years ago. Having grown up on the Oregon coast, I have been fascinated by marine animals since I was a young girl.