UK Seas

Discover the wonderful sea creatures that inhabit the UK seas and shores

UK seas is a guide to the fauna and flora found around UK coasts. While the majority of species are marine, some species are included that are regularly encountered on land by the coast, so you’ll find descriptions of non-marine species such as reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants as well.

Snakelocks anemone

Anemonia viridis

Type

Anemones, Cnidarians

Description

A mass of bright green tentacles with purple tips, which are permanently exposed.

Tentacles can cause a rash on human skin. A small spider crab sometimes lives amongst the barbed tentacles.

Location

On the seabed, in rockpools and attached to large seaweeds. Common, but less numerous on East UK coasts.

Habitat

Rocky shore, Lower shore