# Anthopleura elegantissima The sea anemone is a colorful sea creature that looks like a flower. It has long, wiggly tentacles that help it catch food and protect itself from predators. - **Category:** [Invertebrate](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/invertebrate) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Coastal areas ![Anthopleura elegantissima](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/AnthopleuraElegantissima_3732.JPG&width=800) Photo: Davefoc, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AnthopleuraElegantissima_3732.JPG) ## Appearance The Anthopleura elegantissima is a colorful sea anemone, typically green, pink, purple, or white. Its cylindrical body is often covered in sticky, wart-like bumps, and it can retract its numerous tentacles completely when disturbed, making it appear like a smooth, rounded blob. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Cnidaria - **Class:** Anthozoa - **Order:** Actiniaria - **Family:** Actiniidae - **Genus:** Anthopleura ## Interesting facts - Even though they look like flowers, they are hungry animals with mouths! - If threatened, they can retract their colorful tentacles completely inside their bodies! - These anemones often grow so close they touch, creating a living carpet! - They fight rival anemones with special 'sweeper' tentacles that sting! ## Special abilities - **Solar Powered:** Anthopleura elegantissima has tiny algae living in its tissues that create food using sunlight, providing extra energy. - **Sticky Surprise:** Anthopleura elegantissima has stinging cells (nematocysts) in its tentacles to catch tiny prey and defend itself. - **Rock Anchor:** Anthopleura elegantissima has a strong, sticky base (pedal disc) that anchors it firmly to rocks, even in strong waves. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 3-10 cm - **Weight:** 0.01-0.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-80 years - **Speed:** 0 km/h ## Diet & Feeding This anemone waits for small creatures to drift into its stinging tentacles for a meal. - **Primary Foods:** zooplankton, small crustaceans, larval invertebrates, detritus - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Symbiotic with:** Symbiotic algae (*Breviolum minutum*) — Algae live inside and provide energy via photosynthesis. - **Eaten by:** Shaggy-haired nudibranch (*Aeolidia papillosa*) — This sea slug is a specialized predator of sea anemones. - **Eaten by:** [Ochre Sea Star](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ochre-sea-star) (*Pisaster ochraceus*) — The Ochre Sea Star sometimes preys on these anemones. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Symbiotic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/symbiotic): Describes a relationship between two different species where they live in close association, often benefiting one or both. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Marine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/marine): Marine habitats encompass all saltwater environments of the Earth's oceans, supporting an immense diversity of aquatic life. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Always look but don't touch sea anemones, as their stinging tentacles can hurt. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Anthopleura elegantissima? Compare body symmetry, shells, segments, legs, tentacles and how the animal moves. Invertebrates span many unrelated groups, so start with body structure. Invertebrate Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Anthopleura elegantissima? 3-10 cm ### How much does Anthopleura elegantissima weigh? 0.01-0.1 kg ### How long does Anthopleura elegantissima live? 30-80 years ### How fast can Anthopleura elegantissima move? 0 km/h ### What does Anthopleura elegantissima eat? This anemone waits for small creatures to drift into its stinging tentacles for a meal. ### Where is Anthopleura elegantissima usually found? Coastal areas ### How does Anthopleura elegantissima hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Discovery Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/discovery-park) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Audubon Canyon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-canyon) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Bodega Bay](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bodega-bay) — US · Natural Landmark - [Carl S. English, Jr., Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carl-s-english-jr-botanical-gardens) — Washington, US · Botanical Garden - [Peter Roose Homestead](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/peter-roose-homestead) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Port Townsend Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/port-townsend-historic-district) — Washington, US · Historic District [View all places to see Anthopleura elegantissima](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/anthopleura-elegantissima) ## More Invertebrate - [Coral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coral) - [Crab Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crab-spider) (*Mecaphesa asperata*) - [Garden Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/garden-spider) (*Araneus diadematus*) - [Brown Recluse Spider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-recluse-spider) (*Loxosceles reclusa*) --- Source: [Anthopleura elegantissima: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/anthopleura-elegantissima)