These are from my archives, a trip taken to the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California, in 2009. In some ways it seems like yesterday. I enjoyed looking through my photos again.
Sea Anemones are beautiful sea creatures and yet are a soft-bodied predatory marine animal. It resembles a flower but is related to corals and jellyfish. It has a cylindrical body with a mouth at the top, surrounded by tentacles that contain stinging cells to paralyze prey.
While often stationary, attached to surfaces by a foot-like base, they can also slowly move or even "swim" if necessary.
Sea Anemones are found worldwide in oceans from shallow intertidal zones to depths of over 30,000 feet, with many species preferring warmer tropical waters.
Sea anemones can live for many decades, with some species living 80 to 100 years or more. Some species appear to be biologically immortal, living by constantly replacing their cells and avoiding age-related decline.
Factors like predation, disease and overcollection in the pet trade are the main reasons they die in the wild, not old age.
One of the most unique symbiotic relationships of the marine world is the one between boxer crabs and the anemone, Triactis producta. The boxer crab carries these highly venomous anemones in its claws to use as a deadly 'boxing glove' that it can use to defend itself against predators. You can see one at this link.
And now I know! I had a fascinating time learning about these interesting creatures. I hope you did too.
Thanks for visiting and enjoy your day.
Their colors are stunning!! Especially the Barbie pink one. I saw a documentary awhile ago that filmed the Boxing Crab in action.
ReplyDeleteI would have enjoyed seeing the boxer crab on that show Ginny :)
DeleteI always enjoy looking at things like this, and you've taken some wonderful photos. Your explanations are fascinating. I really enjoyed your post, thank you!
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day, hugs, Elke
Thank you for your kind comment. I am very happy you enjoyed my post :) I wish you a lovely day also, Hugs, Denise.
DeleteThe under water world is fascinating indeed. I agree. And I enjoyed reading here.
ReplyDeleteThank you Erica, I am happy you enjoyed them :) Thank you!
DeleteThey sure are pretty, Denise.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much Margaret, much appreciated :) I agree!
DeleteAbsolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed it, dear Denise. And imagine, 25-30 years ago, my husband and I were active divers for ten years... floating through the water and seeing the beauty beneath the surface...
ReplyDeleteGreetings Viola :) a wonderful hobby you shared with your husband. That must have been amazing! Thank you for sharing that. I am happy you enjoyed my post.
DeleteThey are beautiful and fascinating. Thanks for sharing the photos and the information
ReplyDeleteThank you Ann, I agree and you are very welcome :)
DeleteThey are beautiful and interesting creatures! Take care, enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteThey certainly are :) Thank you Eileen, I wish you the same.
DeleteGreat photos Denise. They are wonderful. So many hidden treasures in the sea, pity we are destroying them :-(
ReplyDeleteI'll need to do that and have a look back at my photos too! :-D
Thank you Ananka, so kind of you to say :) Many treasures indeed! I hope we can stop the damage we are doing but it looks rather bleak doesn’t it? I would enjoy seeing some of your older photos.
DeleteThe acidification and ongoing massive pollution of the oceans does not bode well for sea anemones. What a tragedy that we mount such a sustained assault on these exquisite creatures.
ReplyDeleteFuture generations will not look on us very kindly, will they David?
DeleteSuch an interesting subject. They look beautiful but can be deadly to some. The boxer crab can look very attractive in its 'floral' garb.
ReplyDeleteUndersea creatures open up a whole new part of nature to us Janice, absolutely incredible :)
DeleteOmg, Denise. I wanna go see these wonderful creatures and shoot them. What a cool post to share. I love stuff like this.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to see them one day Ivy and it’s a delight to share these with a kindred spirit :)
DeleteThey are gorgeous. I've never really noticed them before.
ReplyDeleteThe truly are AC :) I remember being totally mesmerized.
DeleteWow! Cool!
ReplyDeleteThank you Anne, much appreciated :)
DeleteThis is fascinating. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Sandra, so glad you enjoyed :)
DeleteDear Denise :)
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful these exotic creatures are. They don't look dangerous but I wouldn't like to be stung by them. It's interesting how the crab has figured out how to defend itself and capture prey with the involuntary help of the Sea Anemones.
Hello Dear Sonia :) and I wouldn’t either. I didn’t realize they were so toxic. I agree about the crab.
DeleteHow weirdly beautiful these are. :)
ReplyDeleteThat’s a great description of them Ellen :)
DeleteDenise, these are amazing! Thanks for sharing them. My first husband had a salt water tank.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome Jenn :) and how interesting.
DeleteLovely memories!
ReplyDeleteVery much so, thank you Christine :)
DeleteDenise I thoroughly enjoyed you looking thru your archives and most of all sharing these fantastic snaps
ReplyDeleteHugs cecilia
Wonderful Cecilia, and thank you so much :) you are very welcome. Hugs, Denise
DeleteThese are extraordinary photos. Every single one of these. Wow.
ReplyDeleteSo sweet of you to say Jeanie, thank you very much :)
DeleteSuch beautiful photographs from the archives Denise, the colours are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you so much Jan, their colors are wonderful I agree :) All the best to you too, Denise
DeleteOMGosh! I have never seen a picture of a boxer crab--let alone brandishing anemones! Aren't they remarkable...and smart! :)
ReplyDeleteAren’t they amazing Rita? Totally agree!
DeleteUy que lindas. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteEstoy de acuerdo, son muy lindos :) ¡Gracias! Te mando un beso.
DeleteInteresting post--especially the part about being brandished by boxer crabs. That is amazing.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sandra, nature truly is amazing :)
DeleteWow, Denise, your photos are absolutely stunning! I find aquariums gorgeous and very soothing...and your photos definitely are! Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear friend and you are very welcome :) I appreciate your kind words. Aquariums are wonderful places to walk around and as you say, very soothing.
Deleteabsulutely stunning flowers. wow wow wow...
ReplyDeleteI had the same reaction when I first saw them Sandra :)
DeleteExotic and beautiful!
ReplyDeletePerfect words to describe them Linda :)
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