ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Kelp

Kelp is a really big seaweed that grows in the ocean. It looks like a long and slimy plant that can grow up to 200 feet tall! It grows underwater, and you can usually find it near the coast in places with cool water, like Alaska or Northern California.

Kelp is like a home, food, and playground for many different marine animals. Sea otters will sometimes hold onto kelp with their furry paws to keep from moving around in the water. Small fish can hide in the kelp to escape from bigger fish. And sea stars like to eat kelp because it gives them vitamins and minerals.

You can also eat kelp! Some people like to put it in salads or soups, while others like to use it to wrap sushi. Kelp is a very healthy food because it has lots of vitamins, like vitamin K and vitamin C. It also has minerals like iodine that are important for your body.

Kelp is really important for the ocean, too. It helps to keep the water clean by soaking up excess nutrients and carbon dioxide. It's also used to make things like fertilizer, animal feed, and even makeup! Kelp is super cool, and it does so many helpful things for the ocean and people.