Chek Jawa

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Hermit crab (Clibanarius sp.)

Hermits are well-known for living in abandoned shells. This is because hermit crabs don't have a hard shell over their abdomens. On Chek Jawa, hermit crabs can get very large. This species come in red, orange and blue

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Hermit crab (Clibanarius sp.)

Hermit crabs have only two pairs of walking legs. The last pairs of legs are reduced and used to hold onto the shell walls. One of the pincers may be enlarged and used to block the shell entrance.

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Hermit crab (Clibanarius sp.)

This Hermit crab's shell is covered with algae and sand, matching the surroundings perfectly! Hermit crabs are scavengers with a very good sense of smell to find decaying plants or animals.

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Hermit crab (Clibanarius sp.)

This is a blue version of the more common red hermit crab.

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Carpet Anemones (Stichodactyla sp.)

Carpet anemones are abundant on Chek Jawa

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Carpet anemones are among the largest of sea anemones! They have short tentacles that make them appear carpet-like.

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Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Carpet anemones harbour symbiotic algae called zooxanthallae in their tentacles. The algae carry out photosynthesis and share the food they produce with the anemone. In return, the anemone provides protection and nutrients. It is the algae that give the different colours to Carpet anemones.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

A carpet anemone looks much like a mushroom. It has a large oral disk covered with tentacles, with a mouth in the centre. Below, buried in the ground, is a thick cylindrical body column that ends in a pedal disk to anchor the animal down.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

At high tide, carpet anemones unfurl fully and can take on beautiful flowery shapes.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Carpet anemones can survive for a short time out of water.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Carpet anemones are found almost everywhere on the intertidal flats of Chek Jawa.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

We know little about anemone reprodution. Most individuals are separate genders and release sperm and eggs into the water simultaneously. Some species can reproduce by budding off.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Anemones grow slowly and can live for a long time. They reproduce very slowly.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Carpet anemones on Chek Jawa are found both among the seagrass beds and lagoons, as well as sand banks and among the coral rubble near the beacon.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Anemones belong to the phylum Cnidaria, all of which have stinging cells. Cnidarians include jellyfish and hard corals.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Carpet anemones on Chek Jawa can grow to more than 40cm across!

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Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

At low tide, carpet anemones curl up to reduce its surface area and thus water loss.

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Carpet anemone (Stichodactyla sp.)

Carpet anemones on Chek Jawa are too pretty to ignore, particularly in picturesque settings!

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Carpet anemones (Stichodactyla sp.)

A smaller anemone appears to be sheltering near a bigger one. Little is known about how they reproduce.

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Peacock anemones (Cerianthus sp.)

They are common throughout Chek Jawa in sea grass, sand flats and coral rubble. Although they look like flowers, they are animals, not plants.

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