Wildlife on the shore

That narrow strip between land and sea which we call the shore is arguably the richest area for wildlife anywhere in the country. Not only is there a huge variety of both animal and plant life but the sheer numbers are staggering, one square metre of rock may support over 30,000 barnacles alone! Just imagine how many there must be over the whole of the shore!

Unlike animals living in the deep oceans or on the land, shore animals have to be able to survive in one of the most difficult of habitats. As the tide goes out creatures that normally live under water must survive for anything up to twelve hours, some in the open air, others in the increasingly warmer and saltier rock pools. If not prodded, poked or eaten by seabirds or humans they must also survive the tremendous battering of waves when the tide returns up the shore. It is no small wonder that many have evolved special ways of dealing with these complex problems!