Wild Wednesday – Honeycomb worm
At first glance, the honeycomb worm might not look particularly exciting. Hidden inside tiny sandy tubes on our shoreline, these small marine worms are easy to overlook, but together, they create some of the UK's most extraordinary natural structures.
The honeycomb worm, scientific name, Sabellaria alveolate, is a marine worm that builds a protective tube from sand grains and shell fragments, glued together with a natural cement. When thousands of worms settle side by side, their tubes form large reef-like structures with a distinctive honeycomb pattern.
These remarkable reefs can grow to several metres across and up to a metre high, earning honeycomb worms a reputation as some of nature's most impressive architects.
A special species on the Sussex Coast
Honeycomb worms are most commonly found along the south and west coasts of Britain, and records show they also occur on parts of the south-east coast, including Sussex.
Along the West Sussex coastline, low tide can occasionally reveal their intricate honeycomb formations attached to rocks and other hard surfaces. While the worms themselves are only a few centimetres long, the reefs they build become important habitats for a variety of coastal wildlife.
Tiny worms, big impact
Honeycomb worm reefs are far more than just homes for the worms that build them. The crevices and sheltered spaces within the reef provide refuge for a range of marine species, including small crustaceans, molluscs and other shoreline creatures. Established reefs can support dozens of associated species, helping to boost biodiversity along our coast.
When the tide comes in, the worms extend delicate feeding tentacles from their tubes to capture plankton and other particles drifting through the water. Once disturbed, they quickly retreat back inside their sandy homes.
Helping protect our coastal wildlife
If you come across a honeycomb worm reef while exploring the beach, remember to enjoy it from a distance. The structures may appear solid, but they can be damaged by trampling. By taking care around these reefs, we can help protect a unique habitat that supports a thriving coastal community.
Take a closer look at our shoreline you might just discover that one of West Sussex's most fascinating wildlife wonders is being built grain by grain by thousands of tiny worms.
Read more here: Honeycomb worm | The Wildlife Trusts