Kelp Forest ~ Directly under the whales is an exhibit of a local kelp forest.  Kelp can grow a foot a day and can be as much as 100 feet long.  It lives in colder water along the California coast.  The holdfast of the giant kelp, which attaches the plant to the rocks, is home to many life forms, some of which can be seen in this exhibit. Kelp is harvested for use in many products and the algin obtained from the seaweed is used in toothpaste, ice cream, chocolate milk, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and even beer.