Critters in Crevices - part two

Sunday's trip was a wonderful experience. We hiked down a very steep path to a rocky beach and discovered all sorts of critters hiding in crevices.

Some of us also climbed rocks and crevices... to show off. The sandstone has been worked into a sort of lace by water and wind action, over time...

As promised, here are a few more pictures of our discoveries on the rocky shore, at low tide. I am still in awe at the very colourful creatures that inhabit this cold water.

First, allow me to introduce the Pink Tipped Anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima) above, which is an anemone that reproduces by cloning itself. It's safe to assume that all the anemones in the above crevice are clones (no relationship issues here!). They form colonies... And if different colonies are neighbours, then they try to sting each other over territorial squabbles, so there are "borders" enforced. Click on the name above for more info on this.

Then, we spotted the Leather Star (Dermasterias imbricata) below. I had never seen one before, and really enjoyed its shape. According to the information I looked at, this sea star is a predator of anemones, sea cucumbers and chitons, which were present in the same rocks... I guess it was on its way to lunch!



We also found the lovely Blood star (Henricia leviuscula) below. Although it's quite small - at about 5 inches or 10 cm - it's easy to spot because of the colour. Plus, this is an elegant little star. It feeds on sponges. Love the colour.

And for today's grand finale: a California Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus californicus). This very interesting creature is apparently dinner to the sea stars. When you pick it up, it oozes water, and goes floppy.

While looking for more information on this sea cucumber, I found a very interesting website, with a video of its escape response in the presence of a sea star. It literally swims away from the sea star that's trying to catch it! Click here to view it.

From now on, I will prowl low tide zones with an eagle eye, and a book to identify the things I find right there, on the spot...