Dog Whelk
With a pointed snail-like shell, Dog Whelks live around the lower shore, wherever there are barnacles or mussels: its favourite food.
In the 1970s and 80s, Dog Whelk populations were seriously affected by the use of chemical anti-fouling paints on boat hulls containing tributyl-tin (TBTs). These paints caused female dog whelks to become male, leading to a decline in reproduction. The use of TBTs is now controlled, but chemical pollution can still be an issue for our marine animals, particularly as it builds up through the food chain. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Spotted Cowrie
Also known as the 'Common Cowrie', the Spotted Cowrie has an unmistakeable egg-shaped shell with a narrow opening along the underside and r
Molluscs provide a vital link in the food chain for many of our rarer species. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Slipper Limpet
The Slipper Limpet normally lives in stacks of individuals, with the largest at the bottom and increasingly smaller animals on each other's backs, out beyond the low tide mark. Accidentally introduced from North America, and now a serious pest of oyster and mussel beds.
The human-induced invasion of non-native species on our shores can be detrimental for many of our native species as they compete for space, food and become prey. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Edible Periwinkle
Found on rocks and amongst seaweeds around the middle to lower parts of the shore, the Edible Periwinkle feeds by grazing on algae and seaweed.
Molluscs provide a vital link in the food chain for many of our rarer species. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Flat Periwinkle
Found amongst the seaweeds on which it feeds, the Flat Periwinkle inhabits the lower parts of the shore. It is most commonly associated with Egg Wrack and Bladder Wrack seaweeds, and is often mistaken for the air floats of these species.
Molluscs provide a vital link in the food chain for many of our rarer species. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Thick Topshell
Lives around the low tide mark, grazing on algae and seaweeds on the rocks.
Molluscs provide a vital link in the food chain for many of our rarer species. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Limpet
Like other limpets, the Common Limpet lives attached to stones or rocks around the lower and midshore. It feeds on algae and seaweed that grows on the rocks, using its rasping tongue to graze.
Limpets and other molluscs provide a vital link in the food chain for many of our rarer species. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Keyhole Limpet
Like other limpets, lives attached to stones or rocks around the lower and midshore.
Limpets and other molluscs provide a vital link in the food chain for many of our rarer species. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Lugworm
Lugworms live in burrows in the sand from the middle shore of the beach down to the sea. Their burrows are U-shaped and are formed by the Lugworm swallowing sand at the head end and defecating it at the tail end. They feed on plankton and detritus that is filtered through the water in the burrow. They are an important source of food for birds like curlew and godwit.
Lugworms are common and provide a vital link in the food chain for many of our rarer species. Our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
Dahlia Anemone
Sea anemones live attached to the rocks, catching plankton and tiny animals from the water with their stinging tentacles. They can be found in rock pools around the low tide mark, sometimes in small groups. The Dahlia Anemone has a squat, jelly-like 'body' which is warty-looking and often covered with pieces of gravel and broken shell. It has fairly short, thick tentacles which are retracted when disturbed or when uncovered by the falling tide.
Sea anemones may be a familiar sight when rock-pooling, but our seas and coastline are in need of protection if we are to keep our marine wildlife healthy. The Wildlife Trusts are working with fishermen, researchers, politicians and local people towards a vision of 'Living Seas', where marine wildlife thrives. This work has recently had a massive boost with the passing of the Marine Bill, promising sustainable development of the UK's marine environment. Do your bit for our Living Seas by supporting your local Wildlife Trust.
