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EXPLORE > ANIMALS > INVERTEBRATES
Urticina crassicornis
The Christmas anemone is so called because of its dark green body with red striations running vertically along the column toward the crown where the tentacles are located. Like other anemones, this species can unfurl or retract its tentacles as needed. The tips of the tentacles are also banded in green and red, although the colors are more muted.
This is a moderate sized anemone with the column reaching a maximum diameter of only 3 inches (7.6 cm) with a ten inch (25 cm) crown. Like all anemones, the animal’s oral disk is surrounded by venomous cells called nematocysts which are used to subdue prey or ward off predators. This anemone is a common food source for nudibranchs, sea stars and a variety of snails.
Range and Habitat
Christmas anemones can be spotted in tide pools at low tide all along the Oregon coast. They are common to bays, harbors and seawalls as far north as Alaska.
Conservation Status
Common.
Urticina crassicornis
The Christmas anemone is so called because of its dark green body with red striations running vertically along the column toward the crown where the tentacles are located. Like other anemones, this species can unfurl or retract its tentacles as needed. The tips of the tentacles are also banded in green and red, although the colors are more muted.
This is a moderate sized anemone with the column reaching a maximum diameter of only 3 inches (7.6 cm) with a ten inch (25 cm) crown. Like all anemones, the animal’s oral disk is surrounded by venomous cells called nematocysts which are used to subdue prey or ward off predators. This anemone is a common food source for nudibranchs, sea stars and a variety of snails.
Range and Habitat
Christmas anemones can be spotted in tide pools at low tide all along the Oregon coast. They are common to bays, harbors and seawalls as far north as Alaska.
Conservation Status
Common.
