Cnidarians

Cnidarians are radially symmetrical and they have tentacles that encircle their mouth. In this article, we'll explore basic facts about cnidarians including how they are classified, what they eat, where they live and the characteristics that make them different from other invertebrate groups.

Cnidarian characteristics include a gastrovascular cavity has only one opening, a mouth, through which the animal takes in food and releases waste. In this article, we'll learn about the characteristics of cnidarians and what makes them different from other types of invertebrates.

Pictures of cnidarians, including cnidarian photos such as bubble tip anemones, button polyp coral, jellyfish, hydrozoa and more.

Jellyfish are delicate, soft-bodied animals. They are invertebrates—they have no bones, exoskeleton, or shell to protect or support them. Instead, the water in which they live provides their body with the structural support it requires.

Learn interesting facts about jellyfish and find out about the characteristics make them different from other cnidarian groups, their life cycle and their evolutionary history.

The most recognized image of a jellyfish is that of the adult jellyfish, also called a medusa, with its bell-shaped body and long tentacles. But there is more to a jellyfish than a medusa.

Learn interesting facts about coral and find out about the characteristics make them different from other cnidarian groups, their life cycle and their evolutionary history.