ANIMAL A-Z…
Learn more about our amazing animal collection. Click on a letter below to find an animal or use our animal search:
Sea bass, European (Dicentrarchus labrax)
Reaching lengths of about 1 metre, the European sea bass is a large fish, covered by large, regular scales. Depending on its origin, its colour can range from dark grey, blue or green on its back with a white or pale yellow belly. Its flanks are silver-blue or can sometimes be pale gold or bronze. As juveniles, they are paler in appearance and have dark spots on the back and upper sides but these disappear by the time the fish is about a year old.
Fun Facts...
During the spawning season, the female sea bass can produce between a quarter and half a million eggs per kilogram of her own body weight!
Location...
Found along all European coasts from northern England to northern Africa and throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea.
Habitat...
Inhabits coastal waters and estuaries around outcrops of rocks.
Diet...
Juveniles feed on invertebrates but as they mature, start eating smaller fish.
Seabream, Gilthead (Sparus auratus)
The gilthead seabream has an oval shaped body, which is silver-grey in colour and has a distinctive gold and black band between the eyes.
Fun Facts...
The gilthead seabream is one of the most highly regarded members of the seabream family in terms of flavour and taste. They are born as male and will become female at about 3 years of age. They are a protandric hermaphrodites.
Location...
This fish can commonly be found in the Mediterranean Sea as well as along Eastern Atlantic coasts from Great Britain to Senegal.
Habitat...
The gilthead seabream is found in both marine and brackish water environments, such as coastal lagoons and estuarine areas. This fish is usually found in areas with rocky or sandy sediments, with young fish at depths of up to 30m and adults found at depths of up to 150m.
Diet...
Mainly carnivorous and feeds on shellfish, such as mussels and oysters
Seal, Harbour (Phoca vitulina vitulina)
Harbour seals are typically pale grey with darker spots or blotches. As they approach their moult, the coat may appear pale brown or tan. Harbour seals have small front flippers that are used to haul themselves out onto rocks.
There are five recognised subspecies. However only the eastern Atlantic subspecies P.vitulina vitulina occurs in Europe.
Fun Facts...
The harbour seal is one of the most widespread of the pinnipeds.
Location... The harbour seal has a range that extends from Iceland and northern Norway southwards to northern France and south-western Baltic.
This species is widespread around the shores of the UK, but population density varies greatly from place to place, with low numbers at many sites.
Harbour seals are found from Northern Ireland and the southern Firth of Clyde clockwise round the coast to the Thames estuary. The vast majority of common seal haul-outs are found on the coasts of Scotland, but with an additional important concentration on The Wash, and a smaller number in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland.
Habitat... Harbour seals will gather on shore sites which are referred to as 'haul-out' sites. Many types of habitat are adopted as haul out sites. These range from rocky shores to sand and gravel beaches, or even man made structures such as piers. Haul out sites are important sites for giving birth, nursing pups and moulting. They will also be used as a place to rest at any time of the year.
Diet...
Fish, cephalopods and crustaceans
Seal, South African fur (Arctocephalus pusillus)
The South African fur seal is one of two sub-species. They are closely related to the Australian fur seals, of which, are believed to have originally derived from the South African population.
Fun Facts...
Males are up to 6 times larger than the females!
The males large size enables them to defend and mate with a 'harem' (group of females) during the breeding season.
Location... The South African fur seal is found along the coast of Namibia and the west and south coasts of South Africa.
Breeding colonies stretch from Cape Frio in Namibia, close to the Angolan border, to Black Rocks, near Port Elizabeth in South Africa.
The population size is estimated to be 1.5-2 million, about two thirds of which are found in Namibia.
Habitat... Breeding sites tend to be on small rocky inshore islands, with large breeding coloines inhabiting rocky and sandy mainland beaches.
Diet...
Pelagic schooling fish(particularly sardines, anchovies and mackerel), cephalopods, crustaceans and the occasional marine bird.
Shrimp, Cleaner (Lysmata amboinensis)
Other sea-creatures will often visit this little critter in "cleaning stations" to have parasites and dead skin removed from their bodies which the shrimp eats.
Cleaner shrimp are easy to spot as they have red and white stripes down the body and four long white antennae. The antennae are used to perform a "dance" which advertises that the shrimp is ready to clean! A relationship where both species benefit is called mutualism.
Fun Facts...
The cleaner shrimp has to be very trusting of its client; it will often clean the teeth and mouth of carnivorous fish, without being eaten!
Location...
Red Sea and Indo-Pacific ocean.
Habitat...
Shallow waters of tropical reefs.
Diet...
Scavenge on parasites and dead tissue on the bodies of many species.
Shrimp, Common (Crangon crangon)
The common shrimp, also know as the brown shrimp, grows up to a length of about 5cm although some have been known to grow as big as 9cm. It is brown and covered with tiny flecks and its carapace extends between the eyes into a short spine. Its abdomen is flexible and terminates in a tail fan, known as a 'telson'.
Fun Facts...
The word 'shrimp' is Middle English which may derive from the German word 'schrimpen' which means 'to shrink up' and is usually applied to small, weak things.
Location...
Common in European waters and around the coasts of Britain.
Habitat...
Occurs from the middle shore, down to submerged depths of around 150metres. It prefers muddy or sandy bottoms to help conceal itself.
Diet...
Feeds on worms, molluscs and crustaceans.
Smoothhound, Common (Mustelus mustelus)
The common smoothhound is a slender species of shark with two large dorsal fins, the first being larger than the second. It is grey or grey-brown in colouration, with a white underside and is the only smoothhound to not display any white or black spots on its skin. It has asymmetric teeth which are not particulary large or pointy but has very powerful jaws. It reaches about 2m in length and can live for around 24 years.
Fun Facts...
A baby shark is called a pup and female smoothhounds give birth to 4 - 15 live young.
Location...
Found in the northeast Atlantic, from the British Isles to the Canary Islands, including the Mediterranean Sea and soouth along the western African coast to eastern South Africa.
Habitat...
Inhabits tidal flats, estuary mouths and shallow bays with sandy or muddy substrate. Can be found at depths of up to 350m but is usually found swimming near the sea bottom of mid-water.
Diet...
Feeds on crustaceans including hermit crabs, lobster and shrimp. Also feeds on bony fish.
Smoothhound, Starry (Mustelus asterias)
The starry smoothhound is a slender species with two large dorsal fins, the first is larger than the second. It is very similar to the common smoothhound, apart from it is the only species of smoothhound to have white spots. These white spots however can be very faded which is why they can be commonly mistaken for the common smoothhound. The back and flanks are grey to grey-brown in colour and the spots are always white. The underside is also white and they have no dark spots or bands.
Fun Facts...
These sharks do not lay eggs like a lot of fish and give birth to live young. There is usually about 7 to 15 pups in a litter.
Location...
Found in the northeast Atlantic, from the British Isles and North Sea to the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat...
Inhabits continental and insular shelves and is commonly found on or near sand or gravel bottoms, up to depths of 100 metres.
Diet...
Feed mainly on crustaceans but will eat some fish.
Snail, Giant African land (Achatina spp.)
Fun Facts...
Giant land snails are hermaphrodites, meaning that one snail is both male and female.
Clutches of eggs can reach up to numbers of 1000!
During periods of drought, the land snail will go into a 'summer sleep' called aestivation and will seal themselves in their shell to prevent drying out.
Location... Is native mainly to East Africa, but has been introduced to other parts of Africa, the Indian Ocean islands, Asia, the Caribbean and Australia!
Habitat... The Giant African land snail can live in many areas, mostly humid, forest areas but can also be found in coast land, planted forest, shrub lands and even urban areas.
Diet...
Vegetables and fruits, they also need a calcium source
Snake, Corn (Pantherophis guttatus)
Fun Facts...
They have over 100 teeth, which point backwards down the throat to minimise the chance of food escaping from them.
Location... It is not very likely to find corn snakes in the wild but they do thrive in captivity. In the wild they are found in eastern and southern central United States and northern Mexico. They are abundant in Florida.
Habitat... Deciduous forests are preferential, and rocky regions where crevices and logs provide good nesting opportunities. They are often found in fields, grassy areas and suburban areas.
Diet...
Carnivorous. Rodents and other small mammals.
Soldierfish, Big eye (Myripristis pralinia)
Reaching up to 20cm in length, the big eye soldierfish can be identified by its scarlet red colour, with white tips on its fins and its big eyes. It is also know as the the 'scarlet soldierfish' due to its colour, which can often change in different lights and if the fish feels threatened. They are rarely seen during the day as they are a very secretive fish, only coming out at night to feed.
Fun Facts...
Although rarely seen during the day, they can often be heard by divers by the different pops, grunts and clicks they make.
Location...
Distributed on the Indo-Pacific, from the east coast of Africa to French Polynesia, as far north as the Rykuyu Islands (off the southern coast of Japan) and as far south as New Caledonia (Off the eastern coast of Australia).
Habitat...
Nocturnal species found in caves, lagoons or under ledges of coral reefs.
Diet...
Zooplankton such as shrimp and crab larvae.
Soldierfish, Black Bar (Myripristis jacobus)
Fun Facts...
This species sometimes can be found swimming upside down. The soldierfish's large eyes make them excellent night hunters!
Location... Found in the Western Atlantic, from North Carolina to Brazil and throughout the West Indies and Caribbean. Also found in the Eastern Atlantic, from Cape Verde to St Helena Islands.
Habitat... Inhabits shallow coral reefs and offshore deeper waters, to depths of around 100m.
Diet...
Feeds on planktonic organisms
Squirrelfish, Striped (Sargocentron xantherythrum)
This vividly beautiful fish are so called for their nocturnal nature and bright red colouration, with horizontal white or silver stripes. They reach about 17cm in length and have very sharp gill spines and rough scales which often causes them to get snagged in fishing nets. They are a very social fish and are usually found in large schools.
Fun Facts...
Most squirrelfish are able to make sounds by vibrating their swim bladders. These noises are used to communicate danger to other squirrelfish and also to warn off other fish that threaten it.
Location...
Found in the Indo-Pacific with a large population found around Hawaii.
Habitat...
Usually inhabits caves and ledges in coral reefs during the day.
Diet...
Carnivorous: Crustaceans, worms and starfish.
Starfish, Blue finger (Linckia laevigata)
This species of starfish (or seastar as they should be known) has a bright blue or light blue body. Very occasionally, they can also be green, pink, yellow or red! The colour varies depending on the ratio and combination of certain pigments. They are largely nocturnal and can be found hiding in rocks during the day. It has five cylindrical arms with rounded tips and grows to about 40cm in diameter.
Fun Facts...
If starfish are attacked by a predator, they can detach their arms and regenerate new ones! Starfish invert their stomachs and digest their food externally! They can locate food using their tube feet which function as chemoreceptors. This species is chemically defended from many fish predators as they possess chemical defence compounds called saponins.
Location...
Located in the Indo-Pacific, from the western Indian Ocean to southeastern Polynesia.
Habitat...
Lives in a wide variety of habitats in tropical waters.
Diet...
Mainly scavengers, but also seen to feed upon algae.
Starfish, Chocolate chip (Protoreaster nodosus)
The chocolate chip starfish is rather stout with short, thick arms. Its central disc can reach a diameter of 12cm and each arm is about 14cm in length. They vary in colour from white, yellow, and brown to red and blue. They get their name from the round or pointy 'chocolate chip' markings that are usually dark brown or grey.
Fun Facts...
The chocolate chip sea star was one of the first animals to be given a scientific name. It was named by Carl Linnaneus himself, (the zoologist who is dubbed as 'father of taxonomy' - the system used to classify and name animals).
Location...
Commonly found in many parts of the Indo-Pacific, from eastern Africa to Indonedia then North to southern Japan and south to the northern coast of Australia.
Habitat...
Inhabits mostly sandy to muddy lagoons and seagrass beds in shallow water.
Diet...
Feeds on sponge, soft corals, bivalves and snails, as well as other invertebrates.
Starfish, Common (Asterias rubens)
The common starfish or common sea star is the most frequent and familiar starfish in the north-east Atlantic. It has five arms and usually grows to between 10 to 30cm across, although larger specimens of up to 52cm across have been found! The common starfish is usually orange or brown and sometimes violet; those found in deep-water are often paler in colour.
Fun Facts...
If starfish are attacked by a predator, they can detach their arms and regenerate new ones!
Location...
Widespread around the coasts of the British Isles.
Habitat... The common starfish is well adapted for a wide variety of substrates, including coarse and shelly gravel and rock.
Diet...
Mainly feed on molluscs, especially bivalves and snails. Also scavenge on dead sea-creatures.
Starfish, Spiny (Marthasterias glacialis)
The spiny starfish is a large species reaching lengths of 70cm across, from arm to arm. It has 5 narrow arms with 3 longitudinal spines along each, giving it its common name. The spines are usually white in colour, with purple tips and the body and arms are brown, grey, yellow, reddish or green in colour with with purple tips to the arms.
Fun Facts...
To eat the starfish expands its stomach which appears to come out of the starfish, along with the enzymes used for digestion. It then sucks up its already digested food!
Location...
Found in the Atlantic Ocean, English Channel, North Sea and Mediterranean Sea.
Habitat...
Inhabits sheltered muddy or rocky bottoms to fully exposed rockfaces.
Diet...
Feeds on molluscs, shellfish and fish.
Stick insect, Macleays spectre (Extatosoma tiaratum)
Fun Facts...
The females abdomen mimicks that of a scorpion, when threatened the stick insect will raise up their abdomen giving the impression of a scorpion ready to strike.
Females can lay 300-1000 eggs in a lifetime.
Location... These impressive insects are found in Australia and New Guinea.
Habitat... These insects prefer tropical rainforests and grasslands. Adults prefer high temperatures ranging around 24 degrees. Nymphs prefer warm temperatures with a high humidity.
Diet...
Eucalyptus, hazel, hawthorn, rose, raspberry, bramble and oak.
Stick insect, Vietnamese (Ramulus artemis)
Although their main defence is camouflage, they also have a small spike on the rear of their bodies that they can use in defence.
If there are no males about, the females can lay eggs on their own, that even without being fertilised, will hatch out. This is called parthenogenesis. The offspring will all be female and direct clones of their mum.
Fun Facts...
If they lose a leg, they can regnerate it during their next moult!
Location... Found in China and India
Habitat... Tropical forests
Diet...
Rose, hazel, oak, blackberry and raspberry leaves
Sturgeon, Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus)
This sturgeon can grow to about 125cm in length and weigh up to 16kg. Its back and flanks are beige, yellowish or grey in colour and it has whitish lateral scutes (spiny scales) down each side. It has a narrow, pointed snout with four long and fringed barbels.
Fun Facts...
It is from these fish and other sturgeons that we get the food cavier, which is actually the eggs of this fish.
Location...
Found in the rivers of Eurasia, draining to the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas.
Habitat...
Inhabits rivers and tributaries usually with strong currents and deep water. Feeds in flooded areas.
Diet...
Feeds on crustaceans, worms and insect larvae.
OPEN: Daily from 10.00am.
LAST ADMISSION: 4.00pm
CLOSES: 5.00pm
ADMISSION:
Adult - £9.50 (16-64yrs)
Child - £8.50 (3-15yrs)
Under 3's - Free
Concessions - £8.99
(Senior Citizen, Disabled, Student).
See our Opening Times & Prices page for further info.
SeaQuarium are pleased and excited to announce a new arrival this Easter - a two-year-old South African fur seal.
MORE]
Welcome to our schools and groups fun page, showing the latest games, competitions & special offers...
FREE Discovery Trail Scratch Card for visitors!
During your visit to SeaQuarium, don’t forget to take part in our free children’s Discovery Trail scratch card quiz. Pick up your free scratch card on arrival, answer the questions found throughout the Discovery Trail and place your entry into our Monthly Prize Draw. Winners are randomly selected from correctly answered entries at the end of every month, and win an Adopt a Buddy package of their choice!
Find out more...
Downloadable Worksheets for Schools & Groups...
To make the most of your visit we have a range of worksheets available. Our specific topic worksheets are ideal to use before, during and after your visit, and can be backed up with a Guided Tour for only £1 extra per person.
Find out more...
