Green Hydra
Green Hydra (Hydra viridissima)
The Green Hydra is a freshwater animal which is commonly found in streams and rivers. The consumption and digestion of prey by the Hydra is a multi-step process. The first step is the act of the Hydra ejecting poisonous darts from its tentacles. This immobilizes the prey and allows the hydra to grasp onto it. The hydra then draws the prey in towards its mouth, which is the only opening of the Hydra's body. The main digestion begins once the prey is moved into the Hydra's mouth. From here, enzymes are released into the space of the stomach cavity to begin breaking down the prey and harvesting its nutrients. Any material that cannot be digested is moved back up through the mouth out of the body.
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