Sea Creatures & Shore Surprises: Wildlife Kids Might Spot in Cornwall!
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🐚Sea Creatures & Shore Surprises: Wildlife Kids Might Spot in Cornwall!
If you’re off to Cornwall for some bodyboarding fun, keep your eyes peeled — there’s more to the sea than waves and splashes. The Cornish coast is packed with fascinating creatures, from slippery fish to curious crabs. Let’s explore what you might see while bobbing on your board or splashing in the shallows!
🐠 Fishy Friends Beneath the Waves
While riding your bodyboard near the shore, look carefully — you might spot:
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Sand Eels – Tiny, shiny fish that dart through the water like silver arrows.
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Pollock or Wrasse – Sometimes seen in rocky coves or shallow bays, especially if you're wearing goggles!
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Flatfish – Like plaice or sole, camouflaged on the seabed. They’re tricky to spot but super cool when you do!
Top Tip: Stay still for a moment — the quieter you are, the more likely fish will swim close by.
🦀 Crabby Crawlers & Rockpool Residents
When the tide is low, explore the edges of the sea or nearby rock pools:
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Shore Crabs – Scuttling side to side, hiding under rocks.
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Hermit Crabs – Living in old shells and always on the move!
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Starfish – Occasionally spotted in pools or even gently floating in calm waters.
Don’t forget to gently return anything you pick up back to where you found it. We’re visitors in their home!
🐙 Slimy & Surprising Sea Life
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Jellyfish – Common in Cornwall during summer. Moon jellyfish are usually harmless, but it’s always best to look, not touch.
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Sea Anemones – Sticky, wiggly creatures attached to rocks — they look like underwater flowers!
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Sea Slugs (Nudibranchs) – Brightly coloured and rare, but sometimes spotted by lucky explorers in rock pools!
🐬 Bigger Creatures – If You’re Super Lucky!
These aren’t as common while bodyboarding near the shore, but you might just spot:
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Seals – Sometimes seen bobbing just beyond the waves, especially at quieter beaches. They’re curious, but always keep your distance.
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Dolphins – Occasionally spotted from the beach or during boat trips. Look out for splashes or fins!
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Basking Sharks – Don’t worry — they’re completely harmless plankton-eaters. Very rare, but incredible to see from afar!
🐚 Things You Might Find Washed Up
When taking a break from the sea, look along the shore for:
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Mermaid’s Purses – These are actually shark or skate egg cases!
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Seashells – Look for cockles, limpets, and spiral shells.
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Seaweed – Did you know some seaweed pops and some looks like spaghetti?
🏄♀️ Safety First, Little Explorers!
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Always explore with an adult nearby.
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Don’t touch jellyfish, even if they’re on the sand.
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Be gentle with rock pool creatures — they’re delicate and easily stressed.
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Wear water shoes if exploring rocky areas — they protect your feet from sharp shells and slippery stones.
🌞 Final Thought
Cornwall isn’t just about the waves — it’s a whole world of ocean magic. Whether you’re zooming in on your bodyboard or paddling with a net, the sea has so many secrets to share.
So next time you're playing in the sea, keep your eyes open... you never know what marine friend might pop by to say hello!
See you in the waves, Little Surfers! 🐬🌊🦀