Oceanic dispersal

Okay kiddo, so you know how the ocean is really big, right? Like, bigger than any playground or park you've ever been to. Some animals, like fish and sea turtles, are really good at swimming in the water and can travel long distances to explore different parts of the ocean.

But what about animals that can't swim as well? Well, sometimes they can get carried away by the ocean currents. Currents are like big streams of water that flow through the ocean, kind of like how the wind can blow you around on a windy day.

So let's say a snail or a crab is hanging out near the shore and a big wave comes and washes them out to sea. They might get washed up in a current that takes them far away from where they started. They might not even realize it, since they're just hanging on for dear life and trying not to get swept away.

Sometimes these animals end up on new shores, far away from their old home. This is called oceanic dispersal - it means they're spreading out and exploring new areas thanks to the help of the ocean currents. Cool, huh?