Orford Reef facts for kids
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Steller sea lions at Orford Reef
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Length | 9 mi (14 km) (approximately) |
| Width | 4–5 mi (6.4–8.0 km) (approximately) |
| Administration | |
| State of Oregon | |
Orford Reef is a special underwater area off the coast of Oregon in the United States. It's located near Cape Blanco, which is on Oregon's southern coast. This reef is made up of eight small rocky islands. These islands are called Best Rock, Long Brown Rock, Unnamed Rock, Square White Rock, Seal Rock, Conical White Rock, West Conical Rock, and Arch Rock.
The reef is home to huge underwater forests of bull kelp. These kelp plants can grow up to 100 feet long! This thick kelp provides a safe home for many different sea creatures. You can find animals like the bat ray, big skate, broadnose sevengill shark, and various types of rockfish here.
Orford Reef is also a very important place for birds. More than 39,000 seabirds live and nest here. This includes about 5% of all the common murres that nest in Oregon. If you want to see what Orford Reef is like, the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, Oregon, has a special exhibit. It's called "Passages of the Deep" and it shows a simulated version of Orford Reef.
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Amazing Animals of Orford Reef
Orford Reef is a busy underwater city. Many different kinds of fish and other sea animals live here. Let's learn about some of the cool creatures you might find.
Spiny Dogfish Shark
The spiny dogfish is a fascinating shark. It usually has a grey or brown body with white spots scattered on its back. Like most sharks, it doesn't have an anal fin. But what makes it unique is its venomous (poisonous) spine. This spine is a defense mechanism.
Yellowtail Rockfish
Yellowtail rockfish are large, heavy-bodied fish. Their backs are greenish to yellowish, and their undersides are pale. You can find these fish in many places. They live from Unalaska Island in Alaska all the way down to San Diego, California. They often swim in reefs, near underwater banks, and along coastlines.
Plumose Anemone
The plumose anemone is also known as the white-plumed anemone. It has a wide top part called an oral disc. This disc is covered with many short, thin tentacles. When these tentacles stretch out, the anemone looks tall and slender. Plumose anemones can be white, cream, tan, orange, or brown. They are often found attached to docks, floating structures, or sea walls in bays and harbors. Their range extends from Southern Alaska to Southern California.
Copper Rockfish
Copper rockfish come in many different colors. They can be dark brown, olive green, pink, or even orange-red. They often have patches of copper-pink or yellow on their bodies. These fish usually swim alone. However, sometimes you might see them gathered in small groups. Copper rockfish live in a wide area. They can be found from Southwest Alaska down to Baja California. They are also common from British Columbia to Southern California.
