What Animals Live in the Thames
Now, let’s get muddy. The Thames bed is crawling with crab life—specifically, Chinese mitten crabs. These guys look like they’re wearing fluffy brown mittens on their claws, which is adorable until you realise they’re an invasive species that burrows into riverbanks and causes erosion. But hey, they’re part of the crew now. They’re basically the hipsters of the Thames: arrived from Asia, wearing weird accessories, and digging up the neighbourhood.
And then there are the eels. European eels have been swimming up the Thames since Roman times. They’re born in the Sargasso Sea, travel thousands of miles, and end up in your local London canal. Tragically, they’re critically endangered now, so if you see one, consider it a tiny, noodle-shaped celebrity.
Oh, and don’t forget the smelt—a fish that smells like cucumber. I’m not kidding. Look it up. The Thames is basically a river that occasionally smells like a salad.