sea anemone

Description:

The sea anemone adapts to its tidepool environment by disguising itself as a harmless flower or plant, similar in color and appearance to other marine plants. Actually the sea anemone is a predatory, carnivorous animal. The sea anemone is not a very mobile animal which is a problem for a predatory animal. The sea anemone adapts by developing an attractive crown of tentacles with microscopic barbs that can inject a passing fish or shrimp with a paralyzing toxin. It then uses its tentacles to drag its paralyzed prey into its mouth without moving from its position. The constant surging tides, crashing waves, sun and wind create a harsh environment for tidepool creatures. The sea anemone adapts by opening its tentacles when it is covered with water and closing its tentacles and sucking small pieces of seashells to its outside tissue to protect it from dehydration and desiccation when the eater empties from the tidepool.

Habitat:

tide pools