We’re heading shore side this may half term with the Rock Pool Project where we’ll be looking for Mini Monsters of the Not So Deep on our local beaches.
Exploring the rock pools on your local beach is heaps of fun but it’s important we stay safe and look after the wildlife we find.
Rock Pool Safety and caring for creatures
Safety Information
- Wear shoes with a good grip, for example wellies or old trainers. Be aware of slippery seaweed, sharp rocks and barnacles.
- Be aware of the tide, you can get cut off from the shore quickly. Check the tide times, find daily tide times for your location from websites such as Tide Times and BBC Weather.
- Go rock pooling in a group and look out for each other.
- Be careful of wildlife in the sea and in rock pools. Animals may sting, bite or pinch, if you are unsure do not touch. Watch the video below to hear rock pool expert Ben tell you more about the creatures to look out for.
- Wear suitable clothes for weather. Remember the weather changes quickly so you might need waterproofs and sun cream on hand.
- In an emergency call 999 and ask for the coastguard.
- Remember to social distance when searching for and stopping off at the trail markers.
Caring for Creatures
Remember rock pools are home to lots of animals. It is important to keep them safe and return them to the rock pool you found them in.
- Only take photos home, always return animals to where you found them.
- Handle creatures gently, if you are unsure, leave them alone.
- Avoid using nets as they can damage seaweed and hurt creatures such as crabs.
- When looking for creatures carefully lift rocks and move seaweed. Don’t pull out animals who are hiding or remove creatures who are attached to rocks.
- A small Tupperware dish is ideal to place an animal in to have a closer look. Make sure there is water so the animal can breathe and that there are small rocks to make the animal feel safe, be careful not to add rotting seaweed.
- Look at one creature at a time, and then return them to their home.
- Keep any animals you find out of the sun, buckets can easily overheat.
Rock Pool Equipment
Let’s take a look at what equipment you’ll need when you go rock pooling.
Please note, the Museum is closed from Tuesday 1 – Thursday 17 June for the G7 Summit.
Thank you to The Rock Pool Project for their expertise.
