Page 215 - Atlas Of The World's Strangest Animals

SEA ANEMONE 215

Retraction Harpoons
A
When danger threatens, or Inside stinging cells called
their bodies are exposed by the nematocysts (A) are coiled
B
receding tide, anemone ‘close tubes,which act like
up’, hiding their tentacles inside miniture ‘harpoons’ to
their body. capture passing prey (B).

Key Facts ORDER Actiniaria / FAMILY Various

Weight Varies but most of body mass is water
Length 1.3cm–1.8m (0.5in–5.9ft), depending on
species.

Sexual maturity Not recorded
Spawning season All year
Number of eggs Thousands in lifetime
Incubation period Depends on conditions

Breeding interval Continuous
Typical diet Plankton, invertebrates and fish,
depending on species
Lifespan 50 years or more

(c) 2011 Marshall Cavendish. All Rights Reserved.