In the video below, we study how an aggregating anemone eats. Aggregating anemones are the most common intertidal anemone in California, after it's cousin the giant green anemone. However, aggregating anemones possess a skill that almost no other intertidal Animal has. The aggregating anemones can split in half to create an identical clone, thus covering a whole rock with it's own clones.
Aggregating anemones have special eating habits too. Using a special kind of stinging cell called a nematocyst, anemones are able to paralyze prey easily. When anemones are touched by humans, they send out nematocysta too, but the human skin is too thick to feel it. However, licking an anemone may make the pain feel greater. Then the anemone will push the food towards the center, where it's mouth is situated. Anemone's tentacles are touch sensitive, meaning a slight bump will make the anemone retract. Where does an anemone's food go after when it's done eating? Aggregating anemones use some nutrients to enhance the algae growing on it, which makes it appear colorful. Anemones mouths are their rear ends too, so any hard surface will be regurgitated. When crabs eat , the anemone will eat their leftovers, this cleaning the tank. In addition , mussels will filter out microscopic algae and snails will graze on invasive seaweed. Sometimes, the opposite may happen, where regurgitated anemone food will be eaten by the crabs - eew!
In the photo above, a one year old starburst anemone in Half Moon Bay eats a snail, while a crab, limpet and two aggregating anemones wait for food nearby.
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