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.

By the wind sailor

Velella velella

Type

Hydrozoans

Description

A bright blue float with thread-like tentacles belonging to a colony of jellyfish-like animals.

Just occasionally, thousands of these animals wash up on the beach in an autumn storm, having drifted from way out in the Atlantic.

Location

Southern and western coasts. November is often the best month for beach finds, as the month often brings the first of the the winter storms.

Habitat

Strandline, Open ocean