| Giant green anemone
Anthopleura xanthogrammica Root meanings: lined flower, yellow (OMED: Yes, that makes no sense.) 
Classification Phylum: Cnidaria
Related animals Other sea anemones and jellies Visual description Giant green anemones that live in sunlight are a vivid green; specimens in caves are paler, nearly white. They have numerous, short, conical, pointed or blunt tentacles in six or more circles in narrow band around the oral disc (mouth). The tentacles may be greenish, bluish or white and the oral disc is gray-blue, green or greenish blue. Size Column to 6.7 in. (l7 cm) in diameter and 11.8 in. (30 cm) in height, crown of tentacles to 9.8 in. (25 cm) in diameter when open. These anemones are significantly smaller when they contract during low tide or when disturbed. Range Giant green anemones are common from Alaska to Panama. Habitat They live on rocks in tide pools, in deep channels, along exposed shores and on concrete pilings in open bays and harbors. These anemones live from above the low tide line to more than 50 ft. (15 m) deep. Behavior These may anemones live crowded together but are not aggressive toward each other. Giant green anemones frequently cover their columns with pieces of shell and gravel. Scientists think this helps reflect sunlight, hold in moisture and keep the animals cool when the tide drops. Diet Giant green anemones feed on crabs, small fishes, sea urchins and detached mussels which they stun with their stinging tentacles and then engulf. Reproduction: Giant green anemones release brownish eggs and sperm into the sea. Predators Giant green anemones are eaten by sea slugs (nudibranchs), carnivorous snails and other invertebrates. Leather stars feed on these anemones in Puget Sound. Notes Giant green anemones get their bright green color from microscopic green algae living in their column. Anemones that live in the shade of piers or rocks are white because their algae die. Giant green anemones occur in great numbers in lower tide pools. They're probably the species most frequently observed by casual tidepoolers. Sources: Ricketts: pgs 87-91, MAH: pg 57, Snively: pg 132, Audubon: pg 487 This animal fact sheet is provided by the staff and volunteers at the Oregon Coast Aquarium. For additional information about the Aquarium, call 541-867-FISH or surf www.aquarium.org. |