Investigating our amazing coastal plants and animals is a cool way to spend summer. But bear in mind you’re entering their home… so mind your manners! Stay safe, be careful where you tread, and leave the environment in as good a condition as you found it.
Don’t put your fingers and toes anywhere you can’t see; and before you pick up a shell, check first to see if there’s an animal in it. Once vacated by the original owners, shells can be used as daytime hide-outs by a range of small creatures, including Blue-ringed Octopus.
B-rO bobs up in a bucket
The animal pictured above is quite small (its head only about 10mm across) and was unknowingly put in the bucket (probably inside one of the Turban shells). Luckily, it came out to be seen before any incident occurred. The animal and the shells were returned to the Bay.
Despite the millions of beach visits each summer, there are only 2 people known to have been killed by B-rO’s. They’re shy animals that will avoid people if they can. So take care to avoid them. If you don’t mess with them… they won’t mess with you!
