Meet the Heroes Beneath
Discover the diversity and beauty of the amazing marine wildlife around the UK
Meet the
Heroes
Beneath
Click on an icon below to explore our marine wildlife around the UK
Orca
(Orcinus orca)
Usually found in deep water, although may enter shallow water to catch prey.
Where and when
to spot them
Rare but thrilling sightings on west and north coasts of Scotland and Shetland and Orkney Islands, all year round.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/5
Do not approach.
2/5
If boat watching, follow the guidelines and look out for companies that try to minimise their impact. Such as a company that has respite periods during the day and has onboard naturalists, who can observe the behaviour of whales and guide you.
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Whale watching can also be done from dry land and should be done whenever possible as this reduces the likelihood of whales being disturbed.
4/5
Avoid crowds.
5/5
Move on if animals are being elusive and moving off quickly when you arrive.
Fun facts
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They are the largest member of the dolphin family.
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An orca’s black-and-white colouring works like camouflage. It breaks up their appearance and makes them harder to see in the water. Their iconic white eye-spots are thought to have developed as a way to confuse their prey who might seek to attack their eyes whilst fighting off the hunt.
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In the Hebrides there is a small group of eight resident orcas called the West Coast Community. Unfortunately, due to their positions at the top of the food chain, chemicals ingested by their prey accumulate in orcas' bodies.
Basking
Shark
(Cetorhinus maximus)
Pelagic and migratory. Often observed feeding along tidal fronts on the continental shelf and shelf edge.
Where and when
to spot them
Along the west coast of the UK, off the coast of Cornwall and the Hebrides from May to September.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/3
They can be seen from cliffs, please do so when possible.
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Whilst slow moving, these creatures are incredibly powerful. If you're lucky enough to share the water with one, watch from a distance.
3/3
Join a reputable wildlife watching company and take a boat trip, follow the guidelines on board.
Fun facts
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The basking shark is the second largest fish in our ocean. They can grow up to 11m in length and weigh up to 7 tons, almost the same weight as a London bus.
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They are slow swimmers, which is where they get their name from, as they swim at an average of 2.5mph, basking in the sun.
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When feeding, they swim slowly near the surface of the water with their mouths open wide, filtering plankton out of the water.
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It is thought that the basking shark may breed in Scottish waters, as courtship behaviour has been seen off the Isle of Man.
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WWF have worked with partners in Scotland to find out more about these gentle giants, a huge marine protected area was recently created in the Hebrides to safeguard populations in Scottish waters.
Leatherback
Turtle
(Dermochelys coriacea)
Open seas, capable of diving to 1200m.
Where and when
to spot them
Rare sightings along the south and west coasts of England from May to September. They've also been spotted off Shetland and the Firth of Forth.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Maintain a respectful distance in the water and on beaches.
2/2
If boat watching, do so with companies that follow guidelines and are respectful of wildlife - some have onboard naturalists, which is ideal.
Fun facts
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Leatherback turtles don't have a hard, bony shell-like other sea turtles, instead their backs are covered by a thick leathery layer.
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They have clever inward facing spines in their throat that trap their prey. Unfortunately this also includes plastic bags which they can mistake for jellyfish and can lead to serious health issues.
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Unusual for a reptile, the Leatherback turtle is warm-blooded with a temperature of around 25°C.
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They migrate to British waters following swarms of jellyfish, their main source of food.
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The largest living turtle on the planet. It can reach weights of up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg).
Cold-Water
Coral
Cold water corals form colonies that grow in large patches in deep, cold water off the coast of Scotland. Unlike coral reefs in tropical waters, these corals don’t rely on sunlight to survive and instead feed on plankton, krill and other microscopic marine life.
Where and when
to spot them
North and west coast of Scotland, as well as the west coast of Ireland all year round.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Many of these corals exist in protected areas so if you ever see any for sale, they may not have been removed legally. Don't take any pieces home.
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Help protect these precious habitats from human impact by minding your environmental footprint, choose sustainable seafood and remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Fun facts
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Cold-water corals grow at a much slower rate than their tropical warm-water cousins - only around 10mm per year.
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Only found in the deep and cold waters off the coast of Scotland, they are one of the UK’s least known, and most valuable, marine habitats.
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It is thought that some mounds can be up to 8000 years old, and are a haven for around 1,000 different marine species, including invertabrates, fish, starfish and sea urchins
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Because cold-water corals can protect marine animals from predators and strong currents, they are ideal breeding grounds for many species.
Atlantic
Puffin
(Fratercula arctica)
At sea in winter and on the cliff tops in summer.
Where and when
to spot them
High, grassy cliff tops across the UK including the east coast of Scotland, northeast England and southwest Wales. They return to their breeding colonies between March and April, departing again in mid-August.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/4
Join organised tours of puffin colonies where possible to see them in the safest, and most well-informed way.
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Approach groups slowly and quietly.
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Don't get too close, you'll be able to watch them moving around, investigating burrows, meeting and greeting, fighting and posturing.
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Do not disturb fish-carriers taking vital sustenance to their young.
Fun facts
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To fly they must first run across the surface of the water.
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A baby puffin is called a puffling.
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The colourful ‘plates’ on their beaks play a starring role in courtship rituals with pairs tapping bills together.
Ballan
Wrasse
(Labrus bergylta)
Rocky areas in shallow waters.
Where and when
to spot them
Common around all UK coasts, but most easily spotted from April to October.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Avoid unnecessary disturbance of habitats.
2/2
Avoid trying to catch them and release them quickly if you do.
Fun facts
1/4
Ballan wrasse start their lives out as females. They change to males when there is a need. There is normally a single dominant male on the reef and if he dies, the most senior female will change sex and become the top male.
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Ballan wrasse are varied and striking in appearance, with greens, browns and oranges and spots all over.
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Juvenile ballan wrasse will sometimes clean other larger fish by picking parasites off their body for food. They are being caught in increasing numbers for this purpose for use in salmon farms.
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They have powerful teeth and jaws that can be used to rasp their prey off the rocks and crush through their shells, as they predominantly feed on molluscs (including limpets and mussels) and crustaceans.
Seagrass
(Zostera marina)
In clean shallow water near the shore or in muddy sand.
Where and when
to spot them
On the west coast of Scotland, as well as Orkney and the Shetland Islands, the northern and eastern coast of Northern Ireland, as well as north and southwest Wales, and northwest and southwest England. Can be seen year-round, but their leaves die back in autumn and regrow in spring to early summer
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/4
Avoid littering.
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Avoid unnecessary disturbance and trampling of seagrass meadows.
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Take care when boating, lift your outboard motor in shallow water and avoid digging up seagrass with your propeller.
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Avoid anchoring in seagrass beds.
Fun facts
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The only flowering plants able to live in seawater, seagrass can pollinate underwater and form thick green meadows under the sea.
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Seagrass help to maintain the pH of surrounding waters, as they photosynthesise, they produce a mineral that helps to neutralise acidity.
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Seagrass captures carbon up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests, even though it only covers 0.1% of the seafloor, it holds around 10% of all the carbon stored in the ocean, making it vital in the fight against climate change.
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A 10,000m2 area can support 80,000 fish and over a million invertebrates.
Common
Bottlenose
Dolphin
(Tursiops truncatus)
Coastal to open ocean-going.
Where and when
to spot them
All around the UK with pods commonly sighted off Cornwall, Wales and eastern Scotland from January to December.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Join organised tours, if boat watching and follow the guidelines provided.
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Bottlenose dolphins can also be seen from land and should be done whenever possible as this reduces the likelihood of disturbing them.
Fun facts
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Individual bottlenose dolphins have a pattern on their dorsal fin that is unique to them.
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They use breeding, playing, aggression and gentle body contact as ways to have social interactions with one another.
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Bottlenose dolphins shut down half of their brain while sleeping and keep the other half at a low level of alertness to protect themselves against predators and obstacles.
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They use echolocation to track their prey, a technique also used by bats. The technique determines the location of objects using reflected sound.
Common
Seal
(Phoca vituline)
Sheltered shores, sandbanks and beaches.
Where and when
to spot them
Can be found anywhere along the coasts of the UK where there aren't extensive cliffs - mostly the east coast of England, western Scotland and the Northern Isles all year round.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
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Keep your distance, and if you’ve got any dogs, keep them on leads.
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Don’t get between a seal and its pup.
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Join organised tours and if boat watching, follow the guidelines provided.
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Don't unnecessarily disturb them by getting too close or making loud noises.
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Avoid littering.
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If you suspect a pup has been abandoned or a seal is injured, keep your distance and call for help at your local wildlife trusts or agencies.
Fun facts
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Despite their name, they are less common in the UK than grey seals.
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It might not look very relaxing, but when out of the water, common seals will often 'rest' by holding their head and tail in the air simultaneously, like a banana.
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Common seals value their personal space! If other seals get too close they may growl or even headbutt to get them to move along.
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Can distinguish them from grey seals by their puppy-like features with distinctive V-shaped nostrils and light brown, grey fur.
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Common seals have been known to swim up rivers in search of their next meal - including the Thames, where tourist can often spot them from the London Eye.
Harbour
Porpoise
(Phocoena phocoena)
Inshore waters, occasionally in deeper waters.
Where and when
to spot them
All around the UK coasts, especially around the Hebrides (Scotland) from January to December.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/5
Maintain a safe and respectful distance – always let them approach you.
2/5
If boat watching, follow the guidelines and look out for companies that try to minimise their impact. Such as a company that has respite periods during the day and has onboard naturalists, who can observe behaviour of harbour porpoises and guide you.
3/5
Harbour porpoises can also be seen from dry land and should be done whenever possible as this reduces the likelihood of the animals being disturbed.
4/5
Avoid crowds.
5/5
Move on if animals are being elusive and moving off quickly when you arrive.
Fun facts
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Also known as ‘puffing pig’, thanks to the puffing sound often heard when they surface to breathe.
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They are quite shy and elusive, not known for approaching boats or jumping out of the water.
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Harbour porpoises are relatively small compared to other dolphins, reaching maximum lengths of 1.8m for males and 1.9m for females.
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They have extremely sensitive hearing. Noisy seas - from boats, oil rigs and wind farms - can make it hard for them to navigate and communicate with one another.
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WWF advocated for seven ‘Special Areas of Conservation’ in England and Wales to protect harbour porpoises, though despite this, they are still threatened by getting trapped as bycatch in fishing nets.
Common
Cuttlefish
(Sepia officinalis)
Sands and muds in shallow inshore waters and offshore to 200m. Typically to 100m depth, prefers moderately warm, shallow coastal waters as well as continental shelves.
Where and when
to spot them
Various locations but predominantly in southwest, southeast and northwest England, as well as north, northwest and southwest Wales. They can be seen all year round.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/3
Watch from a distance, cuttlefish are often curious and will sometimes watch you in return, but they will flee if threatened.
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Avoid unnecessary disturbance of habitats.
3/3
Avoid trying to catch them and release them quickly if you do.
Fun facts
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Their eggs are often known as 'sea grapes' – this is because they're dyed black with cuttlefish ink, making them look similar to grapes.
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Cuttlefish are actually molluscs, their shell is hidden inside their body and is called a cuttlebone. This unique shell helps them to control their buoyancy and can often be found washed up on beaches.
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Cuttlefish are well known for their camouflaging ability – they can act quickly to change both their colour and texture to hide from potential predators and to attract mates.
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In the spring and summer months, males try to attract potential mates with impressive displays, using their quick-changing colour ability to pulsate colours down their bodies.
Arctic
Tern
(Sterna paradise)
Nest on sand and shingle beaches.
Where and when
to spot them
UK Arctic terns pause their migration to nest mainly along the east and west coast of Scotland and Northern Ireland, but also occasionally in northeast and southeast England, as well as parts of Wales. The first birds arrive in April and the last depart by October.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/3
Keep your distance from their nests, arctic terns will vigorously defend their nests against potential intruders.
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Join organised tours where possible to see them in the safest, and most well-informed way.
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Don’t create any unnecessary disturbances, such as making noises or lots of activity.
Fun facts
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Arctic tern colonies fall silent just as migration is about to take place, a behaviour called “dread.” After dread, all the birds in the colony lift off and leave their nests at once.
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Famous for their record-setting migration, the longest of any animal in the world. They migrate from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle, seeing two summers each year on a round trip of up to 35,000 km (22,000 miles).
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Arctic terns sometimes steal prey from other birds by flying at them and startling them.
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Its nickname ‘sea swallow’ is inspired by its general shape, which is similar to that of our 'land' swallows..
Saltmarsh
Saltmarshes are dense groups of hardy plants able to thrive in salty, tidal waters and they usually form in areas like estuaries. Saltmarshes are generally very flat with various muddy channels and creeks running through them that fill as the tide rises and drain as it falls making them vital for marine and terrestrial wildlife.
Where and when
to spot them
Found in sheltered estuaries and natural harbours around the UK. Autumn and winter are generally peak times for wildlife.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/7
Look up and follow local guidelines, some saltmarshes are protected areas for the benefit of local wildlife.
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Know your tides, you want to avoid being stranded or battling the tide to get home.
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Be careful where you step to avoid getting stuck, saltmarshes have a lot of mud and it's hard to judge the depth of it from sight alone.
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Wear appropriate clothes and shoes that lace up tightly.
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Leave things the way you found them.
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Leave only footprints, don't litter.
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Keep your distance from the wildlife, don't disturb them or their habitat unnecessarily.
Fun facts
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Saltmarshes are some of the most biologically productive habitats on the planet, they are a home for wildlife, act as vital sea defences and play an important role in absorbing and storing carbon.
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Saltmarshes are home to a huge variety of species, from plants like sea lavender to birds such as waders, money spiders, and even small mammals like voles and mice.
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Until recently, saltmarshes were viewed as coastal ‘wastelands’ and seen as prime targets for land reclamation and coastal development and in the UK, we’ve lost 85% of them. Now we know their value, it’s vital that we protect and restore them.
Grey
Seal
(Halichoerus grypus)
Rocky shores, inshore coastal habitats.
Where and when
to spot them
Found all around the UK coast from January to December.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/5
Give them plenty of space and if you’ve got any dogs, keep them on leads.
2/5
Don’t get between a seal and its pup.
3/5
Join organised tours and if boat watching, follow the guidelines provided.
4/5
Avoid littering.
5/5
Don’t unnecessarily disturb them, by making loud noises for example.
Fun facts
1/5
Their flat head profile, is often referred to as ‘the roman nose’ and their scientific name (Halichoerus grypus) means hook-nosed pig.
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Unlike common seals, grey seal pups are born with fluffy white coats. They are also born less independent and spend around 3 weeks suckling from their mother.
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The UK’s grey seal numbers (estimated to be more than 120,000) represent 40% of the species global population.
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They spend most of their time out at sea feeding on fish and return to land to rest and digest.
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Like humans, grey seals are unable to breathe underwater, but by slowing their heart rate to conserve oxygen, they can stay underwater for long periods of time.
Spiny
Spider
Crab
(Maja brachydactyla)
Rocky or coarse areas, extreme low water (summer) to around 50m (winter).
Where and when
to spot them
Ocean-going and migratory. Often observed feeding along tidal fronts on the continental shelf and shelf edge.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/5
Avoid unnecessary disturbance of habitats.
2/5
Avoid trying to catch them and release them quickly if you do.
3/5
Be careful when trying to catch them, they have sharp claws.
4/5
Follow the Seashore Code when rockpooling, be careful to leave everything as you found it.
5/5
Join a Shoresearch training course.
Fun facts
1/3
With a body of up to 20cm and a 'claw span' sometimes exceeding 50m, the spiny spider crab is one of the largest crab species in the UK.
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The spiny spider crab lives up to its name in every way. It is a large orange (red during breeding season) crab with long spindly legs like a spider and a spiny shell usually covered in algae. Their distinctive spiny shells are often found washed up on beaches.
3/3
They embark on an annual migration into deeper waters every autumn, sometimes travelling over 100 miles on their journey.
Common
Guillemot
(Uria aalge)
On coastal cliffs and offshore.
Where and when
to spot them
Most commonly along the Scottish coasts, but are best seen at nesting colonies found all around the UK, from March to July.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Join organised tours where possible to see them in the safest, and most well-informed way.
2/2
Don’t create any unnecessary disturbances, such as making noises or lots of activity around their nesting locations.
Fun facts
1/3
Guillemots take it in turns to parent, with the female laying just one egg a year and looking after the egg and the chick until it's three weeks old. After this, the young guillemot will join its father in diving into the sea. The father will stay with the chick until it's able to fend for itself.
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Guillemot eggs are unusually pear-shaped. The reason? Unknown, but one of the leading theories is that the shape makes the eggs less likely to roll from the top of the treacherous cliff edges where guillemots nest.
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During the winter, the sides of the face and throat turn white from chocolatey brown.
Blue
Jellyfish
(Cyanea lamarckii)
Coastal waters.
Where and when
to spot them
In coastal waters around the UK, along the east coast of Scotland and England, the south and west coast of England, as well as the northwest and southwest coasts of Wales from May to October.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Don't touch them, they sting. Even if found on the beach.
2/2
Keep your distance, if seen in water, they sting.
Fun facts
1/5
The name for a group of jellyfish is a ‘smack’ but is more often referred to as a ‘bloom’.
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The bell of the blue jellyfish can grow up to 30 cm in diameter.
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The bell colour depends on the jellyfish's age and can be anywhere between a pale yellow to purple. The jellyfish are paler when they're younger, and are often confused with the bigger lion’s mane jellyfish.
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Jellyfish have no brain, heart, bones or eyes but use their tentacles to stun or paralyse prey before eating it.
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The jellyfish’s mouth is right in the middle of its body, and from this small opening it both eats food and excretes waste.
European
Native
Oyster
(Ostrea edulis)
In shallow coastal waters and estuaries.
Where and when
to spot them
Predominately found along the west coast of Scotland and southeast of England from January to December
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Avoid touching them.
2/2
Don't pull them off.
Fun facts
1/4
Oysters are able to filter seawater and can get through around 200 litres every single day! They do this by pumping water through their gills, which unlike fish, they use for eating, not breathing.
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Oysters start out life as male, but become female and can produce eggs after spawning. In fact, oysters can switch genders multiple times depending on the temperature of the water they're in.
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Oysters have been labelled as ecosystem engineers because of their incredible filtering skills. They remove excess nutrients such as nitrogen from sea water, as too high levels can be incredibly damaging to ecosystems.
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Oysters are reef builders, their shells make for complex habitats that support biodiversity by providing a home for all manner of marine creatures. These reefs also reduce coastal erosion and can act as carbon sinks.
Common
Starfish
(Asterias rubens)
Variety of substrata including coarse and shelly gravel and rock. Found in rockpools and out at sea to depths of at least 600m.
Where and when
to spot them
Found all around the UK coastline, particularly among beds of mussels from January to December.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/4
Avoid unnecessary disturbance of habitats.
2/4
Avoid trying to catch them and release them quickly if you do.
3/4
Follow the Seashore Code when rockpooling, be careful to leave everything as you found it.
4/4
Join a Shoresearch training course.
Fun facts
1/3
Starfish feed on bivalves like cockles and oysters, using their many arms to pry open the shells to then extend their stomach onto their prey and dissolve their food using digestive juices. They then reabsorb their stomach along with their meal.
2/3
Starfish don't have a nose, but they do have a keen sense of smell. They use special receptors in their skin to draw them to their food.
3/3
Starfish can regrow limbs and, even more amazingly, it's actually possible for a new starfish to grow from as little as part of a limb. This is because most of their vital organs are in their arms.
Northern
Minke
Whale
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata)
Coastal and inshore waters.
Where and when
to spot them
West coast of Scotland (Hebrides) from April to October.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/5
Do not approach. They are not usually aggressive but are huge and powerful and can cause injuries when breaching or slapping tails.
2/5
If boat watching, follow the guidelines and look out for companies that try to minimise their impact. Such as a company that has respite periods during the day and has onboard naturalists, who can observe the behaviour of whales and guide you.
3/5
Whale watching can also be done from dry land and should be done whenever possible as this reduces the likelihood of whales being disturbed.
4/5
Avoid crowds.
5/5
Move on if animals are being elusive and moving off quickly when you arrive.
Fun facts
1/2
Minke whales may be the UK's smallest whale, but their breath really packs a punch - their rather pungent spouting has earned them the label 'stinky minkes'.
2/2
Minke whales produce a sound called a 'boing', which can reach volumes of up to 150 decibels. This allows them to communicate over long distances underwater.
Honeycomb
Worm
(Sabellaria alveolata)
Intertidal as well as shallow sub-tidal areas, which are spots where sand is available for building and there is water movement.
Where and when
to spot them
They can be seen year-round in Scotland, as well as northeast, northwest and southwest England, and Wales.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/3
Don't stand on them.
2/3
Avoid disturbing them.
3/3
Don't break pieces off.
Fun facts
1/2
The honeycomb worm is a reef-building worm.
2/2
The honeycomb worm is named after the reef it builds – each worm builds itself a protective tube out ot materials like sand and bits of shell, forming a reef structure that looks like honeycomb.
Small-Spotted
Catshark
(Scyliorhinus canicula)
Sands and muds in shallow inshore waters to a depth of 100m. They can also be found in rocky areas, as they can be left stranded in rockpools.
Where and when
to spot them
Common on all UK coasts from January to December.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/4
If you find one of their egg cases on the beach and it's not empty, please report it to your local shark and ray sighting scheme.
2/4
Avoid trying to catch them and release them quickly if you do.
3/4
Follow the Seashore Code when rockpooling, be careful to leave everything as you found it.
4/4
Join a Shoresearch training course.
Fun facts
1/4
Their egg cases are known as ‘mermaid purses’, and are often found washed up on beaches. They're easily recognised by their small size, around 6cm, and the curly tendrils found at either end.
2/4
When threatened they curl up into a donut shape, making them look larger and less appealing to predators.
3/4
Shark skin acts like a kind of protective chainmail. It's very rough like sandpaper, so when rubbed the wrong way the hard 'dermal denticles' (meaning 'tiny skin teeth!') can be quite painful.
4/4
The small-spotted catshark can be recognised by its large cat-like eyes, rough, cream-coloured skin, and small mouth.
Lion’s Mane
Jellyfish
(Cyanea capillata)
Coastal waters.
Where and when
to spot them
Most commonly seen along the east coast of England and Scotland, as well as in the Irish Sea. They can be seen from May to October.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Don't touch them, they sting. Even if found on the beach.
2/2
Keep your distance, if seen in water, they sting.
Fun facts
1/3
They use their long tentacles (up to 3m in length), filled with stinging cells to catch their prey.
2/3
Even if they are no longer part of the jellyfish and washed up on the shore – the tentacles can still sting.
3/3
Its mass of long, hair-like tentacles inspired its name, lion’s mane jellyfish. It’s one of the largest species of jellyfish.
Thornback
Ray
(Raja clavata)
A wide variety of grounds from mud, sand, shingle, gravel and on patches of sediment among rocky outcrops. Usually found at depths between 10-60m, occasionally at depths of 300m.
Where and when
to spot them
Found around all UK coasts, though less frequent along eastern Scotland and England all year round.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/3
Avoid unnecessary disturbance of habitats.
2/3
Avoid trying to catch them and release them quickly if you do.
3/3
Report any findings of their egg cases on the beach to your local shark and ray sighting organisation.
Fun facts
1/4
They can crush crustaceans’ shells with their small, powerful jaws.
2/4
A tough spot, the thornback ray likes to bury itself in the sediment during the day and come out at dusk to hunt.
3/4
Their egg cases are frequently found washed up on the shore. They range from 10 to 15 cm and have two horns on either end.
4/4
The distinctive spines on its back inspired the name, ‘thornback ray’.
Rockpools
Rockpools are tiny natural aquariums found in the intertidal, the area between high and low tide, and form on rocky reefs and shores all across the UK. Each time the tide comes in, they become mini oceans to observe and explore when the tide goes out.
Where and when
to spot them
Rockpools can be found on all UK coasts, all year round. Best viewed at low tide because the rock pools with a wider range of species are found closer to the sea, and in late spring to early autumn when the temperatures are at their warmest.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/4
Watch the tides! Make note of local tide times and explore rockpools as the tide goes out, leaving long before high tide.
2/4
Be careful, areas around rockpools can be slippy and some inhabitants might have claws or spines that could hurt.
3/4
Follow the Seashore Code.
4/4
Avoid handling any wildlife and return it quickly and carefully if you do. Take only pictures, leave only footprints.
Fun facts
1/3
Only hardy plants and animals can survive in the rockpools tough and ever-changing environment.
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All manner of creatures can be found in rockpools, from seaweed to seahorses, crabs to kelp and shrimp to seashells.
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You can find boring species that drill their holes into softer rock types such as limestone.
Atlantic
Cod
(Gadus morhua)
Found from the shoreline down to depths of 600m, they prefer cold temperate waters.
Where and when
to spot them
All around the UK coast though they are most commonly sighted in the autumn and winter months.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Keep your distance and don't cause them any unnecessary stress.
2/2
Avoid trying to catch them and release them quickly if you do.
Fun facts
1/5
Atlantic cod are very productive breeders, releasing between 3 and 6 million buoyant eggs, which often form swarms that can be transported miles by ocean currents before hatching after 12 days.
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They can grow to about 120cm (47 inches) and weigh around 12kg (26 pounds).
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They eat a wide and varied diet of other fish, crustaceans and worms.
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Chameleons of the sea? These fish can change their colour depending on what depth and habitat they are in. Colours range from grey-green to reddish brown, but many have brown to red spots on their backs and sides.
5/5
The barbel on its chin acts as a sensory mechanism to help it find food.
Snakelocks
Anemone
(Anemonia viridis)
Attached to rocks on the low shore and in shallow seas down to about 12m. Often in large numbers on the leaves of seagrass.
Where and when
to spot them
Along the western coast of the UK, from Portsmouth all around to the west coast of Scotland where it extends northwards to just south of Cape Wrath, all year round.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/3
Be careful when out rockpooling, the tentacles sting.
2/3
Follow the Seashore Code when rockpooling, be careful to leave everything as you found it.
3/3
Join a Shoresearch training course.
Fun facts
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Under ultraviolet light, snakelocks anemones will glow fluorescent green thanks to a special protein found in their cells.
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They prey upon many sea species from small fish to crustaceans by capturing them with their long, stinging tentacles!
Long-snouted
Seahorse
(Hippocampus guttulatus)
Shallow waters, especially amongst algae and seagrasses.
Where and when
to spot them
Along the south coast of England and southwest coast of Wales, all year round
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Avoid unnecessary disturbance of habitats – if you are in a boat, avoid anchoring it in the seagrass meadows.
2/2
Avoid trying to catch them and release them quickly if you do.
Fun facts
1/3
Seahorses are actually very poor swimmers, they are often found clinging to algae, seagrass, or anything else they can find.
2/3
The only animal species in which the male gets pregnant
and gives birth to live offspring called 'fry'.
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They are also called spiny seahorses because of the fleshy mane on their neck and back.
Kelp
(Saccharina latissima)
Shallow water from the low tide mark down to 45m if the water is clear. Grows on hard, rocky surfaces.
Where and when
to spot them
Different types of kelp can be found all around the coasts of the UK - winged kelp, tangle weed, cuvie and sugar kelp will be found in different spots depending on how exposed or sheltered the coast is.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Avoid cutting, pulling or ripping parts off.
2/2
Avoid any unnecessary disturbances, as they shelter a lot of different species.
Fun facts
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Kelp grow incredibly quickly, absorbing a lot of carbon dioxide in the process. Kelp forests are thought to play a huge role in the global carbon cycle and thus in the fight against climate change as well.
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Kelp is safe to eat, is rich in nutrients and is used as an ingredient in everything from toothpaste to salad dressings.
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Algin, an emulsifying and bonding agent, is extracted from kelp and used in these products.
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Individual kelp can be entire ecosystems of their own! All manner of invertebrates can live on or in the folds and fronds, from snails to crabs to worms.
Edible
Sea Urchin
(Echinus esculentus)
Seabed down to depths of 40m and can be found in rockpools on a very low tide.
Where and when
to spot them
Can be found on most coasts of the UK, with the exception of the east coast of England and some parts of northern Wales. Also found in the English Channel all year round.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/4
Avoid unnecessary disturbance of habitats.
2/4
Avoid picking them up and put them back quickly if you do.
3/4
Follow the Seashore Code when rockpooling, be careful to leave everything as you found it.
4/4
Join a Shoresearch training course.
Fun facts
1/4
Inspired by its spines, the edible sea urchin's scientific name is "Echinus esculentus" is taken from the Greek word echinos meaning 'a hedgehog'.
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This is the largest sea urchin in the UK and can be a variety of colours - most commonly pinky-purple, but sometimes also green, red or yellow.
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The edible sea urchin will feast on anything it can sink its sharp little teeth into, including seaweeds, mussels, barnacles and algae. Plus, they're related to starfish and sea cucumbers.
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The name 'edible sea urchin' is perhaps misleading - the only edible part is 'sea urchin roe' - the gonads!
Sunfish
(Mola mola)
Open water.
Where and when
to spot them
All Scottish coasts, the Irish Sea and off the south and west coasts of England from June to September.
Tips on how to
view respectfully
1/2
Keep your distance and don't cause them any unnecessary stress.
2/2
Avoid trying to catch them.
Fun facts
1/3
Also, known as ‘moonfish’
2/3
Female sunfish can possess an enormous number of ova, in the hundreds of million. A large female can spawn 300 million eggs at a time!
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The name ‘sunfish’ derives from a common behaviour of the species, whereby they lie on their sides at the surface of the sea, raising their body temperature through the heat of the sun after feeding in cooler, deeper waters.