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.

Leatherback turtle

Dermochelys coriacea

Type

Reptiles, Turtles

Description

Enormous, unmistakeable turtle, dark in colour, and described as resembling a floating leather sofa!

A regular UK visitor, looking for jellyfish that are abundant in the Irish Sea.

Location

At the sea’s surface, spotted recently off the beach at Blackpool!

Habitat

Open ocean