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Hydroids
Hydroids are small
colonial animals
that are often
confused as
plants.
Hydroids
They are sessile
organisms that
grow as bushy
growths on pilings,
rocks and other
hard surfaces in
the Chesapeake
Bay.
Hydroids
Hydroids are related
to the jellyfish and
have stinging
tentacles, which
they use to stun
their prey before
digesting it.
Hydroids
Hydroids are
carnivores,
feeding on small
plankton which
drift by in the
currents.
Hydroids
The individual
hydroid animals
are composed of a
stem-like base and
a flower-like tip
that contains the
central mouth and
tentacles.
Hydroids
Colonies are large
and be found over
30 cm in length.
The branches
usually appear to
be a muddy brown
color.
Hydroids
Large colonies can
often be found
along the shore of
the Chesapeake
Bay in the spring.
Hydroids
Hydroids can be a
major problem for
crabbers and other
watermen since
the hydroids often
foul crab pots and
nets.