Kōrero: Corals, anemones and jellyfish

Red sea anemone (3 o 6)

Red sea anemone

The red sea anemone (Actinia tenebrosa), New Zealand’s most common, is found in the intertidal zone of rocky coasts. At low tide the animal draws its tentacles into its mouth to prevent it from drying out (top image). As the tide washes over the animal, its tentacles begin to unfold (middle image). When covered by water at high tide they are expanded fully, ready to sting any unsuspecting shrimp or small fish that swims by (lower image). The Māori name for this animal is kōtore moana.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Melanie Lovell-Smith

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Te tuhi tohutoro mō tēnei whārangi:

Dennis Gordon, 'Corals, anemones and jellyfish - True corals and sea anemones', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/mi/photograph/4731/red-sea-anemone (accessed 29 March 2024)

He kōrero nā Dennis Gordon, i tāngia i te 12 Jun 2006, updated 26 Sep 2016