Stay Eat Events Weather Beaches

Oceanside Tidepool Events: Among Finds Are 'Anenome Clone Wars' Beneath Oregon Coast

Published 06/08/22 at 3:25 PM PST
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff

Oceanside Tidepool Events: Among Finds Are 'Anenome Clone Wars' Beneath Oregon Coast

Latest Coastal Lodging News Alerts
In Seaside:
Includes exclusive listings; some specials in summer
In Cannon Beach:
Includes rentals not listed anywhere else
In Manzanita, Wheeler, Rockaway Beach:
Some specials for summer
In Pacific City, Oceanside:
Some specials for summer
In Lincoln City:
Some specials for summer
In Depoe Bay, Gleneden Beach:
Some specials for summer
In Newport:
Look for some specials
In Waldport
Some specials for summer
In Yachats, Florence
Some specials for summer
Southern Oregon Coast Hotels / Lodgings
Reedsport to Brookings, places to stay; summer deals

(Oceanside, Oregon) – Dare to seriously enter the realm of Oregon coast tidepools. (Photo of Oceanside, Oregon Coast Beach Connection)

In Oceanside, the Friends of Netarts Bay Watershed, Estuary, Beach and Sea (WEBS) is putting together four days of exploring the village's tidepools and digging down into some wild factoids about these seemingly placid, beautiful creatures. In conjunction with Explore Nature Tillamook Coast, the groups are holding Tide Pool Discovery Days on June 15, 16, 17 and 18.

On Wednesday, June 15 it begins at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 16 it starts at 9 a.m. Friday, June 18 it starts at 9 a.m., and on Saturday, June 18 the show goes on at 10 a.m. All take place at the main entrance to Oceanside's beach, known as Oceanside Beach State Recreation Site.

WEBS staff will help you look a little closer at the creatures lurking at the water's edge, living half beneath the waves and half out in the air. You'll get to learn about how sea stars eat (and yes, they are not called starfish anymore). They'll explain what hermit crabs do in these tiny ecosystems, and how they steal shells from other crabs.


Photo courtesy Seaside Aquarium

“From seaweeds to sculpin fish, there is an otherworldly place to discover,” WEBS staff said in a release on the event.

Then there is the bizarre world of sea anemone “clone wars.” Yes, this is a thing.

What are anemone clone wars? There are some truly weird, rather slow-motion battles going on beneath the Oregon coast.

According marine biologists around the world, anemones have been observed fighting each other – with actual armies of them pitted against the other side. Scientists noticed this around the late '60s, finding that the soft, squishy little creatures have some tentacles that are not used for grabbing food. In fact, there are some “warrior” classes born into the populations of anemones that have more of these than others. (Photo: tidepool life at Oceanside)

Especially along the west coast and Oregon coast, there are species of anemones that like to stick to themselves and their own kind. Each patch is made up of creatures that are indeed clones of each other: they have the exact same DNA as their neighbor in the deep.

Scientists have observed they live in patches separate from each other, with a little empty area between them. Periodically, others will break off and wander down this narrow stretch, often getting attacked. In aquarium laboratories, scientists have observed some startling behavior that sounds akin to a monster in Dr. Who. The experiments always included a mimicking of tidal action coming in and going out. When the tide came in, they've encountered groups of anemones almost suddenly appearing in an attack stance: bent over with bodies and tentacles all puffed up.

You'll have to stick around to get the full story.

WEBS said not to wear flip-flops, as these are always a bad idea in tidepools. Wear boots or bring a change of shoes – expect to get wet.

To be a part of these, you'll have to register ahead of time at the WEBS EventBrite site. It is free to attend, however.

“We understand everyone learns and experiences the outdoors differently and we are open to working with anyone that needs additional support,” WEBS said. “We have limited capacity. Please contact us in advance so we can do our best to accommodate your needs and/or find a way for you or your group to have fun participating in our events.” info@netartsbaywebs.org

Hotels in Oceanside - Where to eat - Oceanside Maps and Virtual Tours


Ocean Front Cabins, Oceanside

Idyllic Beach Houses

 

MORE PHOTOS BELOW






More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....


Coastal Spotlight


LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Constant Killer Views at One Cannon Beach Legend: Oregon Coast Travel Tips
There's also deep history at this popular, luxury hotel. Cannon Beach hotel reviews, Cannon Beach lodging, Tolovana Inn
Pink Floyd on Oregon Coast? Pigs on the Wing Brings Visual, Sonic Punch to As...
At Astoria's Liberty Theatre this Saturday, September 30
UPDATE: Coast Guard Ends Search for Woman Swept Away at Rialto Beach, Washing...
Witnesses said she was sucked into the surf by heavy waves
Chonky, Orange Moon, Planets and Meteor Showers Coming: Washington / Oregon C...
Larger-than-usual full moon and some meteors coming later. Sciences
U.S. Travel Tips: Rugged, Remote to Chic at Tierra Del Mar on Oregon's North ...
From elegant to surfing, hiking, hang gliding. Pacific City hotels, Tillamook, Oceanside
Cannon Beach Hotels, Lodging, Motels - N. Oregon Coast
Updated weekly: hotels in Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, lodging, motels, inns, lodging deals
Oregon / Washington Coast Alerts: Flood Watch, First Big Waves of Season
Floods, lots of rain, high winds and some rather good storm watching, beach safety
Sea Lions Sick with Leptospirosis on Oregon Coast: Keep Pets, Yourselves Away
Stay clear of sick or dead sea lions. Marine sciences, beach safety

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted