What can be found on the strandline #1 Cuttlebones

By Ella Garrud

Living Seas Officer

The strandline is the high water mark on a beach where waves dump materials which can later be found by discerning beach combers.

Winter is a brilliant time to go beach combing because the stormy weather tends to wash up interesting things onto the strandline more frequently and in greater quantity.

Cuttlebones 

Cuttlebones are a common strandline find in Sussex. They are the internal shell of the cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), which are animals related to squid and octopus. 

They use the cuttlebone to maintain their buoyancy in the water column. 

Cuttlefish have a lifespan of about two years, and when they die the cuttlebone often gets washed up on shore. 

In the past, the powder made from cuttlebones has been used in toothpaste and as a polishing agent by goldsmiths. Today they are still commonly used as dietary supplements for pet birds and other animals due to their high calcium content. 

However, they are not suitable for human consumption, and the best thing to do is leave them on the beach.