The stinging nettle is a familiar and common plant, often firmly rooted in our memories after our first, hands-on experience - a prickling irritation that's not forgotten easily!

This large round urchin is sometimes found in rockpools, recognisable by its pink spiky shell (known as a test).

If you spot a crawling shell next time you're at the seaside, take a closer look… it might be a hermit crab!

This worm builds its own home out of bits of shell and sand. It can be spotted on the shore all around the UK.

This bumpy shell lives up to its name and lives partly buried in the seabed along the west coast of Great Britain.

The serotine is one of the first bats to appear at night and can be seen around lamp posts chasing moths, or at treetop height. It likes to roost and hibernate in old buildings in the south of the…

Found on rocky shores and seabeds, the Keyhole limpet gets its name from the little hole at the tip of its shell.

Often seen carpeting the floor of ancient woodlands, Dog's mercury can quickly colonise, its fresh green leaves shading out rarer plants. It is also very poisonous.

Look out for the small holly blue in your garden or local park. It is the first blue butterfly to emerge in spring, and a second generation appears in summer. The caterpillars are fond of holly…