Haddon’s Carpet Anemone

With its huge oral disc, short tentacles and concealed body column, the Haddon’s carpet anemone looks like a carpet or rug lying flat on the intertidal zone! This adorable carpet anemone has sticky tentacles with stingers that can grab and immobilise prey that accidentally brush against it. Although these stingers don’t usually hurt humans, it is best not to touch a Haddon’s carpet anemone especially if you have sensitive skin!

The Haddon’s carpet anemone also has a secret superpower – it glows a brilliant fluorescent green when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light! This is because the Haddon’s carpet anemone has special fluorescent proteins in its body that absorb UV light and re-emit it as a bright green colour. These proteins act like a shield to protect the anemone from damage and “skin cancer” caused by harsh sunlight. It’s not magic, it’s sunscreen!