June 12, 2013
“Those who
have once listened
to the siren songs of
the ocean bed never
return to land.”
SEA CREATURES:
FACT OF THE WEEK
-Philippe Diole
VENUS FLYTRAP SEA ANEMONE
This deep-sea species lives only in canyons in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of West Africa between 1,000
and 2,000m (3,300 - 6,600 ft) beneath the ocean surface.
Venus Flytrap Sea Anemones can
grow up to 30cm (1 ft) in length and
diameter, and dominate the deepwater ecosystems in which they live.
They use suspension feeding, rotating
around to face the ocean currents and
opening their gaping mouths (called
oral discs) to capture drifting food
particles. When a small fish, crab, or
other tasty morsel flows past its oral
disc, the Venus Flytrap Anemone will
close its tentacles around the prey,
sealing its fate as lunch.
Unlike most anemones, Venus
I Eat Poop, So What?
Live prey is extremely rare in
the deep ocean, so suspension
feeders like the Flytrap Anemone
generally eat detritus that
floats to the bottom.
Flytraps stand upright and are not
attached to the substrate, meaning
they can float to a new location as
currents shift. They can also
completely close in on their bodies so
that only the stem is visible.
[1]
My Snot is Prettier Than Yours
When disturbed, Venus Flytrap
Sea Anemones will release
bioluminescent mucous (the
purple-blue glow in the above
picture)!