Who Else
Lives Here?

These fascinating creatures are related to starfish but have long, flexible arms that they use to scuttle across the seabed. They hide under rocks during the day and come out at night to find tiny bits of food.

Look closely for these tiny, beautiful snails with electric blue stripes! They live on kelp and other seaweeds, grazing on the algae. Their bright colours help them blend in with the sunlit ocean colours.

These sleek, slippery fish are masters of disguise, often found hiding in rock pools. They're quick swimmers and can squeeze into tight spaces to escape predators. Can you spot one during your beach adventure?

You might find these interesting shells stacked up like little pancakes! Slipper limpets often live in chains, with the oldest ones at the bottom. They filter tiny food particles from the water.

This sponge gets its name because it looks a bit like breadcrumbs scattered on rocks! Sponges are very simple animals that filter water to get their food. They provide shelter for many tiny sea creatures.

Chitons are amazing molluscs with eight shell plates on their backs! They cling tightly to rocks in the intertidal zone, scraping algae off with a special tongue called a radula. Can you count all eight plates?

These peculiar fish have five whisker-like barbels around their mouths, which they use to feel for food in the dark corners of rock pools. They are nocturnal hunters, searching for small crustaceans and worms.

With its distinctive finger-like shapes, this sponge looks like a mermaid's lost glove! It can grow quite large and provides a home for many small marine animals, sheltering them from currents and predators.

These amazing creatures look like squishy blobs when the tide is out, but when the water returns, they open up to reveal beautiful tentacles! They sting tiny prey that swims too close. Be careful not to touch them!

These clever fish build nests out of seaweed and shells to protect their eggs! They're often found in rocky areas and can change their colours to blend in with their surroundings. See if you can spot their intricate nests!

These common rock pool residents are very curious fish! They often perch on rocks, watching the world go by. Shannies can even survive out of water for short periods by breathing air, making them true rock pool survivors.

Unlike most jellyfish that float freely, these tiny wonders are attached to seaweed or rocks by a stalk! They have eight arms with stinging tentacles at the end, patiently waiting for small prey to pass by.

Starfish are truly amazing! They have five arms, but some can have even more. They move using tiny tube feet on their undersides and are expert predators, often eating mussels and clams by pulling their shells apart. Large numbers are often washed up on Thanet beaches following winter storms.

These small fish bury themselves in the sand, leaving only their eyes and a spiny dorsal fin exposed. Be careful where you step, as their spines can give a nasty sting!

Named for the brown markings on its bell that look like a compass rose, this jellyfish is a beautiful sight. They float gracefully through the water, using their tentacles to catch small fish and plankton. Look, but don't touch!

These beautiful, almost transparent jellyfish are very common. They have four distinct horseshoe-shaped reproductive organs visible through their bell. Their sting is usually very mild for humans, but it's still best to admire them from a distance.

This master of camouflage blends in perfectly with rocky environments. It waits patiently for small fish and crabs to pass by before ambushing them. Be careful not to disturb them, as they have venomous spines.

These small fish are experts at blending in with the sandy seabed. They have large eyes that help them spot tiny prey, and they often dig small burrows in the sand to hide from predators. Look closely in clear rock pools!

These slender, silvery fish are vital food for many sea birds and larger fish. They bury themselves quickly in the sand when they feel threatened, which is why they are called sand eels, even though they are fish!

Sea slugs, also known as nudibranchs, are some of the most beautiful and colourful creatures in the ocean! They come in all shapes and sizes, and many feed on sea anemones, even reusing their stinging cells for their own defence.

Often called dogfish, these are small, harmless sharks that live on the seabed. They're nocturnal hunters, using their excellent sense of smell to find crabs, worms, and small fish. You might even find their egg cases, called 'mermaid's purses', washed up on the beach!

These spiky globes are like living pincushions! Sea urchins use their spines for protection and to help them move. They graze on algae with a special mouthpart called 'Aristotle's lantern'. Be careful not to step on them!

These flat, diamond-shaped fish are related to sharks! They spend most of their time on the seabed, often partially buried, waiting to ambush crabs and other small creatures. They get their name from the sharp thorns along their backs.