ROCKPOOLS

As the tide recedes it leaves pools of water in rocky hollows. These rockpools work like little windows into the sea.

Rockpools have got to be among the toughest places for a sea creature to live - constantly changing water levels, temperature and salinity mean that residents have to be incredibly adaptable.

They need to keep from being washed away by the tide, protect themselves from drying out and avoid getting eaten by predators!

Most of the creatures that survive in rockpools are invertebrates - animals with no backbone. Among the hardiest are shore crabs and starfish. In fact they're so tough that if they lose and arm or a claw in they can actually re-grow them! Some rockpool fish, like shannys, can even breath air as well as water!

The further up the beach the rockpool is the longer it's exposed and the tougher its residents need to be.

In the very highest pools only the toughest species of seaweed can withstand the wide changes in temperature and salinity.

Other creatures, like barnacles, build their own miniature aquariums by trapping seawater inside their shells until the tide returns.

Despite their harshness, rockpools are home to lots of plant and animal life ranging from seaweeds to prawns, worms, anemones, small fish, crabs, lobsters and even octopus.

Some of these will be permanent residents, others use the rockpool as a nursery while the larger inhabitants - caught out by the receding tide - are simply waiting for the tide to turn so they can journey out to deeper waters.

Rockpooling Tips

Wear strong shoes with a good grip.
Use a mask to look beneath the surface.
If you move anything put it back as you found it.
Take a notebook to describe or sketch what you see so you can look it up later.
Make sure the sun doesn't cast your shadow over the pool and scare the inhabitants.
Be patient - sitting quietly always proves more productive than jumping in.

Most Important

Always tell someone where you're going

Keep a close eye on the tide