HRAP Online Encyclopedia

Anemones

Despite their flower-like appearance, sea anemones are a living animal. They are in the phylum Cnidaria along with jellyfish, a group of animals that contain stinging cells called nematocysts. Anemones use the stinging cells that cover their tentacles to catch food and protect themselves from predators. The species of anemone at Haystack Rock are safe to touch! Their stinging cells are not strong enough to hurt people, instead they feel sticky like velcro. Sea anemones can be found growing on exposed rocks and in the tide pools surrounding Haystack. We ask that visitors only touch anemones in the water since those out of the water are holding their breath (water), waiting for the tide to come back up.