These unusual animals float around on the ocean surface, and feed with stinging tentacles hanging down. Several species have a bright blue balloon shaped floating or sailing device. When found on sandy beaches, these should be avoided as the stingers can cause severe problems.

Included in this group are the unusual jellyfish such as the Portuguese Man of War. This creature has long stinging tentacles that hang below a floating balloon like object.

Hydroid Class (Class Hydrozoa) includes the hydroids, siphonophores, and fire corals. The old siphonophores group (Order Siphonophora) is now divided into two separate orders which are the Velella group (Order Chondrophora) and the man-of-war group (Order Physophora.)

Corals and Hydra Phylum (Phylum Coelenterata = Cynidaria) are a group of primitive aquatic animals. This phylum contains about 10,000 species. Following are the three main classes:

Class Hydrozoa: - Polyps and Medusae
Class Scyphozoa: - Jellyfish
Class Anthozoa: - Sea Anemones/Corals

This group of animals are unusual as there are two forms for most species. The "medusa" form is free swimming, and the "polyp" form which is usually attached to a substrate.

Animal Kingdom contains numerous organisms that feed on other animals or plants. Included in the animal kingdom are the lower marine invertebrates such as sponges and corals, the jointed legged animals such as insects and spiders, and the backboned animals such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

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