Hydra
ExploreInvertebrate
Hydra
Hydra vulgaris
Hydras are tiny, freshwater creatures with tentacles that help them catch their food. They can regenerate if they're cut into pieces, making them amazing creatures to study!
Habitat: Freshwater
Appearance
The Hydra is a tiny, tube-shaped freshwater polyp, typically translucent white, green, or brown. It has a ring of slender tentacles around its mouth, which it uses to capture food. Its body is often attached to submerged surfaces.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumCnidariaClassHydrozoaOrderAnthoathecataFamilyHydridaeGenusHydra
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Hydras lack a brain, heart, or lungs, yet survive complexly!
Some Hydras can host tiny algae, making them look green!
These tiny animals can even survive being frozen solid and thawing!
They can stretch their bodies over ten times their usual length!
Special abilities
Ability
Super Regrower
Hydra can regrow its entire body from just a small piece because of potent stem cells that help them repair injuries.
Ability
Eternal Youth
Hydra can continuously replace its cells, avoiding aging and potentially living indefinitely under ideal conditions.
Ability
Stun Gun Tentacles
Hydra has specialized stinging cells (nematocysts) on its tentacles that help them paralyze tiny prey.
Measurements & details
- Body Length Mm
- 10 mm
- Tentacle Length Mm
- 20 mm
Diet & Feeding
Tiny carnivores that ambush and sting small aquatic creatures using their tentacles.
Primary Foods
- Daphnia
- Cyclops
- rotifers
- small insect larvae
Foraging Method
- Ambush
Ecological connections
hunts
Water Flea
Daphnia pulex
A common crustacean prey item.
hunts
Copepod
Cyclops bicuspidatus
Actively captured by Hydra's tentacles.
hunts
Midge Larva
Chironomus plumosus
Young midge larvae are food.
Traits
Fossil
A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Natural
Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not touch hydras in the wild as they can sting. Always observe them from a safe distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Hydra?
10 mm
What does Hydra eat?
Tiny carnivores that ambush and sting small aquatic creatures using their tentacles.
Where is Hydra usually found?
Freshwater
How does Hydra hunt?
Ambush
What is the tentacle Length Mm of Hydra?
20 mm
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
.jpeg&width=800)
