Rock pooling

We’ve just got back from a holiday in Polzeath, Cornwall, where we had the pleasure of revisiting an old childhood pastime – rock pooling!

Rock pools are truly fascinating finds. They exist in the intertidal zone which means they’re above the sea when the tide’s in and below when the tide’s out. This unique position means that they are natural aquariums which change every day.

We spotted crabs, mussels and hundreds of limpets in the ones we looked at because they were quite shallow. Although rock pools look very picturesque, they are tough places to survive in. Creatures and plants have to cope with frequent changes in temperature, levels of salt and levels of oxygen – affecting how they eat and breathe. This means there are many animals who can’t survive these conditions.

The rock pools closer to the sea spend more time underwater and are therefore easier to live in for more vulnerable creatures. This means that the closer you get to the sea, the more diverse the animals and plants. Depending on where you are, you might find sea urchins, sea cucumbers, snails and whelks!

Next time you’re down at the beach, take a look at the rock pools near you and see what exciting creatures you find!