5 Incredible Marine Encounters in August
I love talking about UK marine life, it’s the sole reason I created the Ocean Lover’s Guide to hopefully encourage more people to get out there and discover these species for themselves. Last time I shared some of my favourite marine species, you guys loved it! So I wanted to share some more, this one is a bit more based around some incredible encounters from rock pooling and snorkelling in Cornwall this summer. It has been a really exciting year for marine life, so let’s dive into 5 of my favourite species i’ve seen…
1.Olive Squat Lobster
Okay, this one had to come in top of the list because this is the first time i’ve ever seen one in real life… and wow were we spoilt, because we saw two at once! They are a really cool species in the crustacean world, as they are a cross between a lobster and a crab. But their closest relative is actually the Hermit Crab! With an incredibly interesting tail that they use as a paddle to quickly escape backwards with… and they really can move quickly with this tail.
2.Brittlestar
The Brittlestar is an incredible interesting species, and it had to make it onto the list this time because I went through a little period of not seeing them (and they are a favourite to see). But recently I have seen lots again which makes me very happy! This species are related to starfish, and all belong to the same family called Enchinoderms. They have a round disc like body that usually isn’t any bigger than 2cm with five very long thin legs. You’ll find this species in rock pools on the lower shore or out to depths of 85m!
3.Compass Jellyfish
A beautiful visitor to our shores in the Summer months… the Compass Jellyfish. They have a very distinctive look that is a strong indicator of where their name come from. They have brown markings that very much resemble a compass. I am always amazed by their beautiful long tentacles, with twenty four long and slim tentacles. As well as four tentacles that are noticeably thicker. These tentacles are called the marginal tentacles and can be found extended when they are hungry!
4.Green Sea Urchin
The Sea Urchin has become a really special find to me, I won’t fully go into detail but they have become very significant, so I get very excited every time I find one! Lucky for me, there are so many around at the moment. They are a nocturnal species, so you’ll need to search under rocks and in little crevices to see them. You’ll find them on rocky shores, and grassy seabeds where they feed on seaweed, sponges and even mussels or barnacles. You also may be surprised to hear that this species is also part of the starfish family, the Enchinoderms!
5.Spiny Starfish
A Spiny Starfish is possibly one of the coolest species to come across! They are the biggest starfish species we have here in the UK, and they really can be huge. Their body is covered in incredible white spines, which is a little clue as to where their name came from. This species is found in rocky, sandy and muddy habitats, and in a range of depths. You’ll find some in shallow waters along the lower shore, or you can see them at depths of 200m! Despite their beauty, they are still a feisty species, feeding on everything from molluscs to crustaceans… and every other starfish, including the little brittlestar mentioned earlier!
All of these species are quite common finds along the shore, and species I really hope you get to discover for yourself, as it’s such a magical experience! If you want to learn more about our UK species, you can purchase the Ocean Lover’s Guide here. Full of over 80 UK marine species! Or my brand new pocket books on Rock Pooling and Beach Combing, which you can find here.