Unlike other regenerating animals like salamanders, which restore lost parts proportionally, the sea anemone reshapes its entire body to maintain its overall form, even adjusting unaffected areas. This whole-body regeneration is also observed in flatworms and other similar species.

Some animals, such as the starlet sea anemone, can regenerate large parts of their body, even after major injuries. EMBL researchers have shown this regeneration response involves cells and molecules in body parts far from the injury site and is directed towards restoring the animal’s original shape.