I’ve said this before but I will say it again, the rocky shore is home to some b-e-a-utiful species, and the snakeslock anemone (Anemonia viridis) is one of them.  Sometimes, you don’t have to travel halfway round the world to find a marine species with crazy colouration!

Snakeslock anemone (left) compared to a Beadlet anemone (right).

The snakeslock anemone looks pretty different to the beadlet anemone which I have previously written about. Firstly, it had wickedly bright colouration with bright green tentacles with purple tips. This makes it pretty easy to spot on the shore, and is lovely to watch once you do. This colouration actually comes from this species teaming up with symbiotic zooxanthellae/algae (which is also used in upside-down jellyfish and by-the-wind sailor) which photosynthesises inside its tissues to supply the anemone with some more ‘energy’. This also means when you go looking for these species they can usually be found in the most well lit pools so that these little symbionts can chug away during the day. Snakeslock can also be found sub-tidally but the deeper they get the more grey and ghostly in colour they get because they loose their colourful symbiotic pals!

Snakeslock anemone attached to glass at Bristol Aquarium, UK.

Snakeslocks, unlike the beadlet anemone, have much longer tentacles and rarely retract them. But who would blame them, when they look that flamboyant why not flaunt it! They feed much in the same way as beadlet anemones by using stinging cells that they fire into their prey. But snakelocks can actually get pretty big so like to take on species such as small fish and crustaceans that maybe some other smaller anemone species will leave alone. Don’t be fooled by there pretty colours, they don’t mess around. Since are not the size of a snail I don’t think we need to worry, but the tentacles will feel very sticky if you lightly touch them as it gives trying to catch you a go!

The geographical range of snakeslock anemones also differs from beadlet anemones as they are not found as commonly around the British shores. They are mainly found in the south and southwest of the UK, but this means you can find plenty if your around the South Wales area. The most snakeslock anemones I have ever seen on in one place was at Oxwich Bay where it seemed every rock was covered in them, of course it was chucking it down so I hadn’t brought my camera … typical!!

If you haven’t had a chance to seen these vibrant species yet get down the rocky shore next chance you get (hopefully with spring on the way there will be plenty more time to be outside!) and have a hunt for these flamboyant feeders. As always please follow me on twitter and Instagram and comment below any questions!

Happy rockpooling!