Amphipods

The species of amphipods found in Cornwall run into the hundreds, many are difficult to identify hence the reason that the majority do not have a non scientific name. The amphipods include the extremely common sand hopper and the bizarre skeleton shrimps.

Common Sand Hopper Talitrus saltator

The common sand hopper Talitrus saltator can be found in their millions on local beaches. Sand hoppers are nocturnal and during the day they shelter under seaweed on the strandline or burrow into the sand. If seaweed is lifted these creatures when disturbed will escape by hopping, hence the name.

The bizarrely shaped ghost shrimps Caprellidae are thin bodied with heavy set forelimbs. They are slow moving and are found on the lowest shore.