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Ocean CreaturesAggregating Anenome (Anthropleura elegantissima)(According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium) Living on rocks in tide pools and crevices from Alaska to Baja California in the intertidal zone to about 60 feet, these elegant flowerlike animals, have a tube-shaped body crowned with tentacles, and are about 2-4 inches in diameter. Two types of microscopic algae live in the anemones' tissues and give them their green color—anemones without algae are white. The algae supply food to the anemones, and the anemones bend toward or away from the light to provide the algae with the proper amount of light needed for photosynthesis. Anemones are voracious feeders that eat almost anything. Stinging cells (nematocysts) on their tentacles paralyze small prey animals. Anemones can even ingest small crabs and then spew out the shells. Anemones exposed to air retract their tentacles and shrink in size. Sticky bumps on their bodies collect sand and bits of shells, which provide camouflage and prevent them from drying out. If they’re buried by drifting sand, they can survive for more than three months. Oil spills or oil from storm drains, however, can destroy anemone habitats.
Images and information provided by the Central Coast Extension of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Some photos by Terry Lilley with Sue Sloan doing the lighting. Terry is sharing his photos to encourage interest in the marine sanctuary effort. Contact Carol to be added to the "Critter of the Week" email list. |
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