Sea Anemones
ORDER ACTINIARIA
SPECIES OF Sea Anemones
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ANATOMY OF Sea Anemones
OVERVIEW
Sea anemones are named after the gorgeous and colourful anemone flower due to their beauty and flower-like appearance. However, they are actually animals! Sea anemones belong to the order Actiniaria.
FLOWERS OF THE SEA!
Although they are animals, sea anemones really look like plants! Like plant roots, the base of the sea anemone, which is called the pedal disc, anchors the sea anemone to the sea floor or to a hard surface. The top of the sea anemone also has lots of stinging tentacles surrounding its central mouth, resembling the branches of a tree or the petals of a flower!
PARTNERSHIP WITH ZOOXANTHELLAE!
The tentacles of many sea anemones contain single-celled algae known as zooxanthellae. Like plants, zooxanthellae use sunlight to make food via photosynthesis. The zooxanthellae share some of their food with their sea anemone home, and in return, the sea anemone provides their zooxanthellae buddies with shelter and minerals!
HOME TO OTHER INTERTIDAL ANIMALS!
Sometimes, you may be lucky enough to spot other animals such as hermit crabs, snails, anemone shrimps and anemonefish living among the tentacles of a sea anemone. These animal “roommates” have adaptations which prevent them from being stung and eaten by their sea anemone home!