The most common Sea Anemone found in Irish waters is the small, bright red Beadlet Anemone. It occurs in large numbers in rock pools around the coast, and is often identified by children as “a small red jellyfish stuck to a rock” as this is what it resembles when the tide is out and it has its tentacles retracted. The ability to retract its tentacles is a vital method of survival for the anemone living above the tide line. If it was unable to do this it would become dried out in the wind and sun, and would also be vulnerable to damage from small stones and gravel being flung around by the returning tide.

The Anemone attaches itself to a rock with its strong foot, and can stay in place even throughout the roughest storms. But its foot is also mobile, and the anemone is able to slide slowly (when under water) across rocks in search of a more suitable foot hold, or a better place to find food.

It thrives in conditions where many other creatures would not, due to its ability to withstand extremes in temperature, light and salinity.