How the Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone Uses Its Tentacles to Capture Prey

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Written by Jennifer Geer

Published: December 23, 2024

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Venus flytrap sea anemone (Actinoscyphia aurelia)
NOAA Okeanos Explorer Program, Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

There are thousands of different species of sea anemones in the ocean with some living as far deep as 32,000 feet. Anemones are marine invertebrates that are closely related to jellyfish. This colorful and diverse species doesn’t move around at all, but still manages to capture its prey. One fascinating member of this species is the Venus flytrap (Actinoscyphia aurelia).

You can watch this creature in action in the video above filmed by the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. The Venus flytrap anemone waits on the ocean floor for its prey to approach. When an unsuspecting creature finds itself inside the anemone’s trap, there is no escape.

Sea anemone Venus flytrap (Actinoscyphia aurelia)

Where Does the Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone Live?

The Venus flytrap anemone lives deep in the ocean at a range of around 3,300 to 6,600 feet. This is the ocean’s midnight zone, and it’s so far below the surface that sunlight can’t reach. Plants don’t live here because there is no way for them to conduct photosynthesis. Scientists are still learning about this dark and mysterious place.

Researchers have found the Venus flytrap sea anemone living in waters around the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of western Africa. They form colonies and can be found in groups of other Venus flytrap anemones. They seem to prefer areas where the currents are more gentle and have been found thriving in the quiet depths. The sea anemones are attached to the ocean floor or submarine canyons by their flexible stems. The anemones vary in size and can reach up to a foot across.

How the Tentacles Capture Prey

Just like the terrestrial plant it is named for, the Venus flytrap anemone has a unique method of catching prey. The anemone sits still on the ocean floor atop its stem-like body. At the head of its body is an oval-shaped disk surrounded by tentacles which makes it appear very much like its namesake plant. The tentacles are sensitive and the anemone knows when prey is present. When a creature swims near, such as a small fish or crustacean, the anemone quickly grabs it and closes its tentacles around it.

The tentacles are equipped with microscopic stinging harpoons called nematocysts. These tiny harpoons are coiled in the tentacles until the anemone releases them. They then pierce the sea creature’s skin and inject venom in the same way that a jellyfish stings. The toxin paralyzes the sea creature, and once it is caught, it becomes a meal for the anemone, passing through its primitive digestive system.

Benefits of Stinging Tentacles

Beyond catching prey, the stinging harpoons in the Venus flytrap anemone’s tentacles serve another use. When a curious creature or predator swims too close, the anemone defends itself with its stinging tentacles. The tiny harpoons inject toxins into the predator. It’s this offensive ability that helps the anemone survive the harsh world of the deep sea.

Use of Bioluminescence to Attract Prey

Like many creatures living in the midnight zone, the sea anemone produces its own light. This is in the form of a bioluminescent mucus that it emits. The glow helps to attract prey which notices the light in the immense darkness. And once an unsuspecting creature swims too close, the tentacles reach out and spring shut.

Why the Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone is Called a Keystone Species

A keystone species is a term scientists use for species that are critically important to their ecosystem. When a keystone species disappears, it drastically changes the habitat the species used to live in. Venus flytrap anemones are considered keystone species for their environment.

The anemones maintain the balance of the deep ocean by preying on small marine animals. Without the anemone, these smaller creatures could become abundant and overwhelm the resources of the ecosystem. Just as predators on land keep prey species from outcompeting others in the environment, (such as how wolves help keep rabbit populations in check), the Venus flytrap sea anemone helps preserve the delicate balance of its ecosystem.

Venus Flytrap Sea Anemone Threats

Like all the sea creatures living in the midnight zone, these fascinating animals face dangers from climate change. This includes changes in temperature and acidification of the ocean. We also do not yet know the detrimental effects that deep-sea mining might have on this habitat. The noise and light pollution from deep-sea mining is likely to have profound effects on this quiet and dark world. Mining will also destroy habitats and the sea floor where the Venus flytrap Sea Anemone makes its home.


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About the Author

Jennifer Geer

Jennifer Geer is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on animals, news topics, travel, and weather. Jennifer holds a Master's Degree from the University of Tulsa, and she has been researching and writing about news topics and animals for over four years. A resident of Illinois, Jennifer enjoys hiking, gardening, and caring for her three pugs.

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