Have you ever found yourself at the beach, puzzled by an off-colored splotch on a rock?
Well, if they looked anything like the brown spots featured on the bottom left and right sides of the above photograph--or the very apparent golden brown stains in the below two photographs--then you've likely seen what we have fondly nicknamed "anemone footprints"!
Did you know? Anemones can completely relocate if they feel the need to find a new place to live! Moves can be in search of better water flow, sunlight, or food availability; or changes in water temperature, water quality, or presence of predators.
Interestingly, sea anemones are quite literally capable of swimming! Here is a popular YouTube video that shows the occurrence in action:
What causes anemones to leave behind a mark?
Sea anemones secrete a sticky glue-like substance from their foot (called a "pedal disc") which allows them to adhere firmly to their chosen home substrate, despite a constant battering from aggressive ocean waves. It is believed that the splotch left behind is simply evidence of this impressive natural adhesive.
The next time you spot an ameoba-shaped stain on a rock at the beach, consider that you might just be looking at an anemone footprint!
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