ANIMALS OF THE SEA
Animals, in a kaleidoscope of unbelievable sizes, shapes, and colors, abound here at the margin of the sea. Specializations range from the single-celled body of the zooplankton to the multicellular body of the Seals and the occasional Porpoise.
The Sponges
Finger Sponge (Chalina oculata)
Brown or tan color In colonies of fingerlike projections
The most common sponge on Crane’s Beach is the Finger Sponge. Even a small piece may be identified by the holes on its surface, through which the animal filtered water. The strange appearance of this sponge has given it the repulsive name of “Dead Men’s Fingers.”
Crumb-of-Bread Sponge (Halichondria panicea)
Pale green in life Light tan or white when dried on beach Crumbles easily
Only the most searching eye will discover this sponge, because it so closely resembles a dull uninteresting rock or pile of bread crumbs. When it has been freshly broken, it has a vile odor—a good clue to identification.
The Jelly-like Animals
White Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)
Flattened body Under 10″ in diameter
The tentacles dangling down from the underside of this jellyfish are covered with tiny stinging cells, which in this species do not penetrate human skin.
Pink or Red Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)
More than 10″ in diameter Reddish center, yellowish sides
This jellyfish occasionally grows up to eight feet in diameter, with tentacles a hundred or more feet long. The stinging cells can painfully wound a swimmer, but you may examine a small jellyfish safely by placing your hand on the smooth dorsal surface and turning it over.
Sea Anemone (Metridium dianthus)
Cylindrical, soft body Tentacles at top give flower-like appearance Generally very colorful
The “petals” of the Sea Anemone’s flower-like head are actually tentacles covered with stinging cells and used to stun its food. Generally found in the water at tide level, the Sea Anemone moves by walking on its single, base-like foot.
The Worms
Clam Worm (Nereis virens)
Jointed One pair of paddle-like feet per segment Two “tails” Pinchers on the head (watch out!)
This is the best-known worm on the beach because of its desirability as fish bait. During the day it lives in its burrow in the sand, wandering forth at night and swimming about in the water, where it becomes easy prey for gulls and fishes. The skin is brilliantly iridescent in the sunlight.
The Crustaceans
Common Barnacle (Balanus balanolides)
Common on rocks and shellfish White, volcano-shaped shell Two “barn doors” at top
This animal goes through life standing on its head and kicking food into its mouth with its feet! When it is submerged in sea water you can see its shell doors open and its feather-like feet sweep the water for microscopic food organisms. The limy shell first suggests a relationship with the clam, but body structure shows it to be a closer relative of the crab.
Shrimps (Crago septemspinosus, the Sand Shrimp, and Palaemonetes vulgaris, the Prawn)
Hard, transparent shell Long antennae Paddle-like tail
These tiny tide-pool creatures look for all the world like the larger edible shrimp served in local restaurants. Actually, these miniature two-inch-long shrimps are edible also, and quite enjoyable if you have the time and patience to collect enough for a meal.
American Lobster (Homarus americanus)
Bits and pieces of Lobster are frequently found on the beach, but seldom the entire animal. The Lobster inhabits deeper water and finds its way to shore only after losing a battle with one of its enemies. A favorable dining size is one or two pounds; however, Lobsters do attain weights up to forty pounds.
True Crabs (Cancridae and Portunidae)
Football-shaped in cross section Two large claws Eyes mounted on stalks
The three very common True Crabs of Crane’s Beach may be found in one search of the tidal pools. They are:
Rock Crab (Cancer irroratus): A brick-red shell, somewhat granulated, with a black and yellowish undersurface.
Jonah Crab (Cancer borealis): Similar in color to the above, but its shell has a more sculptured surface.
Green Crab (Carcinides maenas): A greenish-colored shell. The last pair of legs end in sharp points, rather than being flattened like paddles.
Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)
Shell with horseshoe-shaped outline Long, sharply pointed tail Two immovable compound eyes
The Horseshoe is not a Crab at all, but is more closely related to the spiders, mites, and scorpions. In spite of its relations, the Horseshoe is a harmless creature whose only protection is its hard shell. Therefore it may be examined freely—a strange “living fossil” that has survived 400,000,000 years of evolution with very little change.
The Mollusks
Oyster (Ostrea virginica)
Mottled, unattractive shell Gray splotches on inside surface
Even without pearls, our Oyster is worth many thousands of dollars a year to shellfish dealers because of its delicious flesh. Its tropical relatives are the pearl producers.
Mussels (Mytilidae)
Blue-colored shells Shells covered with black, horny skin
Living mussels are always found attached to rocks or pieces of wood by tiny threads of their own making. Two common mussels are:
Edible Mussel (Mytilus edulis): Smooth, velvety-blue shell identifies it. The animal within is edible and quite delicious. It is commonly utilized as food in Europe but less so here, where we have, and seem to prefer, the Oyster.
Ribbed Mussel (Modiolus demissus plicatulus): Similar to the above but with many distinct ribs radiating on the surface. The Ribbed Mussel is not considered edible. While not poisonous, it is most unpalatable.
Hardshell Clam (Venus mercenaria)
Thick, round shell Purple blotches on inside surface
Also called “Quahog,” “Little Neck,” “Round Clam,” or “Cherrystone,” the Hardshell Clam is another highly prized seafood.
Edible Clam (Mya arenaria)
Fragile shell with egg-shaped outline Wing extending out from inside top of left half of shell
These clams are found just a foot or so under the sand, and their empty shells are common on the beaches. This is the Softshell Clam, which we enjoy steamed, baked, or fried, as well as in New England’s famous clambakes and clam chowders.
Surf Clam (Spisula solidissima)
Very large shell Spoon-shaped trough at inside top of shell
This is the largest clam on the Atlantic seaboard, growing up to about seven inches in length. It is edible, and just one or two make a large chowder. The shell makes a fine ashtray and an unusual and useful souvenir.
Razor Clam (Ensis directus)
Elongated brown shell
The Razor has a very large foot, with which it can often dig faster than the hand trying to discover it. Although delicious, the Razor Clam is seldom seen on the markets because it is so difficult to capture.
Snails (Littorinidae, Thiasidae, and Naticidae)
Clams in a coiled shell
Several species are found at Crane’s Beach:
Periwinkles (Littorina): These have a wrinkled shell about the size of a thumbnail. Because they are able to withstand long periods without water, Periwinkles are often found high on a beach.
Rock Purple (Thais lapillus): Has a rough, white shell coming to a point at the top. This snail secretes a purplish dye that was used by the American Indians and the ancient Phoenicians to produce their “royal purple” dyes.
Moon Snail (Polinices heros): Large white shell with almost round shape. The Moon Snail lays its eggs in a sand “collar,” which is frequently discovered on the beach in its dry state.
Slipper Shell (Crepidula fornicata)
Shell is boat-shaped Tiny “seat” inside shell
This animal protects its bare underside by attaching itself to a handy rock with its suction-cup foot. Often there are enough of them to give the rock a warted appearance.
The Spiny-skinned Animals (Echinoderms)
Starfishes (Asterias vulgaris, and others)
Five-armed body
The Starfish seems to like Oysters as well as we do, and it opens them by sheer strength. Oystermen used to tear Starfish apart to destroy them, until they discovered that each arm has the ability to regenerate and become a whole starfish!
Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droehbachiensis)
Round body Covered with spines
Here is a creature with a scientific name much too long for its size. Indeed, the name is said to be the longest in animal nomenclature. The Sea Urchin is a living fossil with four times as many extinct cousins as living ones.
Sand Dollar (Echinarachnius parma)
Silver-dollar size and shape Raised, star-shaped pattern on back
This is an animal of deeper water and so the bather seldom sees a live, heavily spined specimen. We find the dry, spineless shells on the beach. Wrap them carefully if you wish to take them home, because they are most fragile.
The Fishes
The waters off Crane’s Beach abound with many dramatic fishes such as Cod, Mackerel, Flounder, and Sand Sharks; but we are concerned only with the common tidal fishes that are regularly washed onto the shore.
Pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus)
Lead-pencil size and shape Hard, bony plates cover body
One look at a Pipefish will convince you that it must be related to the Seahorse. It spawns late in the spring, the female laying her eggs in the pouch on the stomach of the male. The male carries these eggs kangaroo-fashion, until they hatch during the summer.
Silverside (Menidia menidia)
Silver stripe running down a light side
These fish are also an important food item for the Gulls and Terns. Silversides run in schools of a hundred or more, which can be located by the flocks of birds gathered round overhead.
Skates (Raja, several species)
Strange bat shape Long ratlike tail
These are harmless fish resembling the dangerous Rays of the tropics, except for their habits. The egg cases of the Skate are rectangular, black, horny envelopes. They are commonly found on the beach, where they are called “mermaids’ purses.” If you find a fresh one and open it, you may discover a miniature Skate inside.
Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus)
Stout, olive-green fish Rounded tail
The “Chub,” well known to fishermen, can live for a day covered only with a layer of damp seaweed. It does us a real service by feeding on the mosquito larvae in brackish water.
Sticklebacks (Gasterosteus and Apeltes species)
Spines on the back Very narrow base to tail
During the early summer months, the Stickleback builds a barrel-shaped nest, held together with gelatinous threads. After the eggs have been deposited, the male guards the nest with amazing vigor, considering his size.
Sand Lance (Ammodytes americanus)
Knife-shaped body Long dorsal fin (fin on back) Protruding lower jaw
Thriving abundantly off the beach, the Sand Lance is an important item in the diet of shore birds.