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Sea Nettle
Related Category: Zoology: Invertebrates
any one of several species of stinging jellyfish, common along coasts and much feared by swimmers.
Not all jellies sting, but the sea nettle does. It hunts tiny drifting animals by trailing those long tentacles and frilly mouth-arms, all covered with stinging cells. When the tentacles touch prey, the stinging cells paralyze it and stick tight.
Chrysaora - Chrysaora quinquecirrha (Sea nettle) is another dangerous species capable of causing death.
Discussion A related species, the Lined Sea Nettle (C. melanaster), is often washed ashore from Alaska to southern California. It is larger, 12" (30 cm) wide and 8" (20 cm) high, with yellow to brown radial lines on the bell.
These animals include cuttlefish, sea nettles, a variety of cold- and warm-water anemones, astrea and turban snails, peppermint shrimp, leather stars, keyhole limpets, blue-legged hermit crabs, blue crabs, and a giant Pacific octopus.
Comb jellies (Sea Gooseberry, etc.) - 5 species
Sea nettles and other jellyfish - 10 species (thimble jellyfish, Linuche unguiculata)
Siphonophores - 5 species
Sea anenomes - 10 species ...
It has numerous predators, including birds such as the American oystercatcher, ocean dwellers such as sea anemones, sea stars, sea nettles, some parasites, and humans. About seven weeks after hatching, the eastern oyster reaches sexual maturity.
 See also: Jellies, Purple, Coral, Jellyfish, Sea Anemone
  
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