Rockpooling is a fascinating summertime activity for all ages and a wide variety of rockpools can be found at beaches<\/a> across the UK.<\/p>\n

1<\/span>

Hermit Crab\u00a0Pagurus bernhardus<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div>
\u00a0<\/p>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThis soft-bodied crab lives in an empty spiral shell, moving up sizes as it grows. When inside, its right pincer seals the entrance.<\/p>\n}
More related content:<\/p>\n
Britain\u2019s best beaches<\/a><\/li>\n
Beachcombing guide: things to find along the seashore and best beaches in the UK<\/a><\/li>\n
Guide to Britain\u2019s dolphins, porpoise and whales: how to identify and best places to to see<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>
<\/p><\/div>

$\""Camber\"$ <\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section><\/p>
2<\/span>
Mermaid\u2019s Purse\u00a0The egg cases of sharks, skates and rays<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div>
\u00a0<\/p>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nAlso known as the eggcase, it may reach 215mm in length. Its size and woody appearance when dry makes it hard to miss. If you found one washed up on the beach, the Shark Trust is looking for sightings.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>} 3<\/span>
Common Goby\u00a0Pomatoschistus microps<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div>
\u00a0<\/p>\n
$\"""\"$ <\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n
_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe top of the goby\u2019s head, as well as its nape and throat are completely scaleless. It grows up to 6cm in length and is commonly grey or sandy in colour.<\/p>\n
Guide to rockpooling: how to get started, where to go, and essential equipment<\/a><\/h4>\nRockpooling is a traditional summertime seaside activity, but you can explore the hidden world of the sea\u2019s fascinating creatures at anytime of the year. Our expert rockpooling guide offers tips on the best places to go, essential equipment and how to get started.<\/p>\n
<\/p><\/div>
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section> 4<\/span> Common Periwinkle\u00a0Littorina littorea<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe common periwinkle is the largest of the species, reaching a minimum height of 5cm. The conical shell has spiral ridges and can range from anything to grey, black, brown or red.<\/p>
5<\/span> Green Shore Crab\u00a0Carcinus maenas<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nOur most abundant crab, found on all coasts. The shell has a jagged front edge with tooth-like projections. Colour varies, but often dark green.<\/p>
6<\/span> Dog Whelk\u00a0Nucella lapillus<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nSimilar in shape to the periwinkle, the Dog Whelk but can grow up to 6cm in height. The majority of Whelks are a pale shade of white.<\/p>
7<\/span> Rough Periwinkle\u00a0Littorina saxatilis<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nVery similar to its common cousin, but usually a lot smaller. It\u2019s shell is also unsurprisingly, a lot rougher. The colour of the shell varies from yellow to white and green to red.<\/p>
8<\/span> Bladderwrack\u00a0Fucus vesiculosus<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe bladderwrack is a large brown algae that can grow up to 2m long. It\u2019s usually found beneath among rocky shores, and can be found up and down Britain\u2019s coastline.<\/p>
9<\/span> Beadlet Anemone\u00a0Actinia equina<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nLook out for their familiar red or green blobby bodies on rocks at low tide. These unfurl to reveal waving tentacles when the tide comes in.<\/p>
10<\/span> Common Limpet\u00a0Patella vulgata<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe limpet\u2019s shell is conical and can be up to 6cm long. The colour is commonly an ashy grey-white, with an occasional yellow tint. Found on the British coast if there is a hard substratum.<\/p>
11<\/span> Brown Shrimp\u00a0Crangon crangon<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe brown shrimp can grow up to 8.5cm in length and has a long, thin body. Despite its name, the\u00a0shrimp varies in colour, although commonly have a brownish colour.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>
12<\/span> Purple Topshell\u00a0Gibbula umbilicalis<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe flat top shell has a deep hole under the shell and is fairly broad and flat. It is usually greenish in colour with broad purple spirals, hence the name.<\/p>
13<\/span> Common Whelk Egg Mass\u00a0Buccinum undatum<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThese form when whelks gather to spawn. Each small capsule contains hundreds of eggs, although the first whelk to hatch in each pouch then eats the rest. When the eggcases are yellow, they often contain live whelks. Another name for the eggcases is \u2018sea wash balls\u2019, as sailors once used them for washing.<\/p>
14<\/span> Common Starfish\u00a0Asterias rubens<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nAlthough the common starfish is usually orange in colour, it can also be brownish or purple.\u00a0 It is instantly recognisable from its five-armed shape, with some individuals having six arms.\u00a0 Starfish can regenerate missing arms \u2013 in fact they can become whole again from just one arm and part of the central body!\u00a0 Average size is 20cm across.<\/p>
15<\/span> Gutweed\u00a0Ulva intestinalis<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe bright green seaweed with hair-like fronds found at upper inter-tidal zone. Extremely common and found for most of the year. Wash it thoroughly by lifting out of water several times. Mild flavour but good for you.<\/p>
16<\/span> Sea Lettuce\u00a0Ulva lactuca<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nSea lettuce is a small green algae frequently found amongst rocky shores. They can grow up to 30cm across.<\/p>
17<\/span> Common Sea Urchin\u00a0Echinus esculentus<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nCommon sea urchins are covered with spines \u2013 urchin is from the old English urcheon (meaning hedgehog). In death, only the brittle \u2018test\u2019 or skeleton remains. It\u2019s like a fantasy jewel. Shore urchins graze on algae, but also feed on worms, sea squirts and barnacles.<\/p>
18<\/span> Dried Sea Urchin Shell\u00a0Echinus esculentus\u00a0<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe dried up skeleton of a sea urchin.<\/p>
19<\/span> Common Mussel\u00a0Mytilus edulis<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nThe common mussel\u2019s shell is roughly triangular, however can vary due depending on conditions. The shell is usually a dark shell of blue or purple and occasionally brown.<\/p>
20<\/span> Velvet Swimming Crab\u00a0Necora puber<\/i><\/h3>\n<\/div> \u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n_{Illustration: Chris Shields<\/sub><\/em><\/div>\nBright red eyes give this its other name of devil crab. Hiding under rocks low on sheltered coasts, it\u2019s feisty, snapping with claws if threatened.<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n
","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By countryfile Published: Monday, 08 August 2022 at 12:00 am Rockpooling is a fascinating summertime activity for all ages and a wide variety of rockpools can be found at beaches across the UK. Highlights of a good day out can include a mermaid\u2019s purse (dogfish eggs that are like a tiny womb \u2013 hold them […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":18562,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"7"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/08\/rockpool-identification-guide.jpg",1600,1067,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/08\/rockpool-identification-guide-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/08\/rockpool-identification-guide-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/08\/rockpool-identification-guide-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/08\/rockpool-identification-guide-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/08\/rockpool-identification-guide-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2022\/08\/rockpool-identification-guide.jpg",1600,1067,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By countryfile Published: Monday, 08 August 2022 at 12:00 am Rockpooling is a fascinating summertime activity for all ages and a wide variety of rockpools can be found at beaches across the UK. Highlights of a good day out can include a mermaid\u2019s purse (dogfish eggs that are like a tiny womb \u2013 hold them…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/18561"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18562"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18561"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18561"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}