Science Says So: Do All Sea Anemones Sting Humans?
Sea anemones (Nematostella vectensis) from the Marine Biological Laboratory's Automated Aquatic Facility. (Credit: BioQuest Studios)
Sea anemones, animals that are close relatives of jellyfish and corals, use specialized stinging cells in their tentacles to capture prey and defend themselves.
If you've ever brushed against one, you may have noticed that some will hurt, while others feel like nothing. Mae George, an Aquarist I at the Marine Biological Laboratory’s Automated Aquatic Facility, explains the biology behind sea anemone stings and explains how these seemingly simple animals interact with the world around them.
Credits:
Produced by Cathy Ching; Edited by Cathy Ching; Narrated by Mae George; Videos by BioQuest Studios, Karen Echeverri, Carsten Wolff, Cathy Ching; Photos by Karen Echeverri; Technical support by Richard Boudreau, Michael Schanbacher.