As Saint Patrick's Day is almost upon us we thought it fitting our "Creature Feature" be the Green Sea Anemone. It feels slightly sticky to the touch, but, believe it or not, the Giant Green Sea Anemone's stinging cells (nematocysts - pronounced 'nem-at-oh-sists') are powerful enough to paralyze a small fish.

The Giant Green Sea Anemone attaches itself to a hard substrate in moderately shallow areas that might also provide an unpredictable surge of the sea to push unwary fish or mussels into its deadly tentacles.  Tidepools, with their numerous rocky outcropping, gradually receding sea floor, and high wave action, are the perfect places to find these beautiful creatures.

Anemones and microscopic algae called zooxanthellae work together in a most peculiar symbiotic relationship: the anemone allows the algae to flourish in a safe environment (its own tissue), free from grazing predators, and in turn, when food is scarce, the anemone is able to gain nutrition from the algae.

Giant Green Sea Anemones are one of the largest anemones in the world, but in the intertidal area (where competition for living space is intense) they usually do not obtain their full size potential.  They adorn their bases with bits of shell and sand to keep them moist and to reflect sunlight during low tide (when they can be completely exposed to the elements).

Giant Green Sea Anemones are particularly sensitive to pollution.  As such, if your intertidal area is festooned with these beautiful "emeralds of the coast", it is a sure sign of a good, healthy environment!

Photo courtesy of Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium