Why Is a Flounder So Flat?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why is a flounder so flat?

The Big Idea

Flatfish lie on the seafloor, and one side becomes the bottom. Both eyes move to the top side. A pancake shape hides well in sand. That is why a flounder looks so strange, and so clever.

A Baby Swims Upright

Step one: a baby swims upright. A baby flounder looks like an ordinary fish. It has one eye on each side of its head. The change takes place over a few weeks while the fish is still tiny.

It Starts to Tip

Step two: it starts to tip. As it grows, one eye slowly moves across the head. The body flattens, and the fish leans over to one side. The eye that moves is carried over the top of the head to the other side.

It Lies on the Sand

Step three: it lies on the sand. Now both eyes are on top, ready to watch for food and danger. Its color helps it blend in with the seafloor. The side that faces up has the colors that match the sand, and the underside is pale.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a flounder! Both eyes sit on the top side. The flat body lies on the sand. And its sandy color helps it hide.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Both eyes end up on the top side. Leave wild flatfish in the water. A flounder becomes flat after it is born. Flat fish can hide so well they look like sand.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Look at a picture of a flounder with a grown-up. Find the two eyes. Draw a baby flounder and an adult. What job does flatness do? Scientists compare young and grown-up animals. Happy exploring!

Outro

Flat is a hide-on-the-sand trick that starts after birth! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!