The Painted topshell (Calliostoma zizyphinum) is a sea snail found on rocky shores with a very colourful conical shell.
Category: Species in Focus
Common Squat Lobster
Galathea squamifera, the common squat lobster, is a species of intertidal crustacean. Don’t be fooled by the name- these fancy fellows are actually more closely related to hermit crabs than lobsters.
The Cushion star
The Cushion star (Asterina gibbosa) is a little, well camouflaged starfish that is commonly found in rockpools on many of the UK coasts.
Cornish Sucker
This week’s Species in Focus is the Cornish Sucker. This unique looking fish may be little but packs a powerful ability to latch on to rocky surfaces using its adapted pelvic fins.
St Piran’s hermit crab
Our second species in focus features probably the most popular new arrival to our shores in recent years. Well certainly in Cornwall anyway, where this charming little crab is named after the region’s patron saint: St Piran.
Broad clawed porcelain crab
The broad-clawed porcelain crab is a charismatic little rock poolers favourite. It is the most common species of porcelain crab found in the UK and can often be found clinging tightly to the underside of rocks below mid tide level.
