Saw some interesting sea creatures on my beach excursion today—a chiton, a cool patterned shell (the pigmented pattern makes it more attractive to potential mates and offers camouflage from predators), a shell with barnacles that looked neat and a sea worm / polychaete! 🌊 🐚
@Valkyrie_D Also, I wouldn't touch that segmented worm. Those bristles are likely silicate and will break off in your skin.
@sfleetucker I usually err on the side of caution when handling unfamiliar creatures. While I was scooping it up in a seashell, I was actually wondering if it could sting me. Thanks for the information!! 💕
@Valkyrie_D
They're common animals in reef tanks, which is why I know about them. They're great scavengers but they're also sometimes call "fireworms" and some of them can sting quite badly.
Very cool
@Valkyrie_D That second photo triggers my mild trypophobia.