What we can learn about different species

Recording stranded animals provides us with information about the marine environment and the health of marine creatures. This information is vital in helping us to conserve wildlife and cannot be learnt from studying live animals. We can learn about:

• causes of death and threats to survival
• distribution
• diet
• health and diseases
• behaviour among the same species and between different species
• the effects of pollution
• reproduction

Would you be able to identify a dolphin, whale, seal, basking shark or marine turtle on the beach? Click on one of the pictures below to see our simple identification guides.