Sea Cucumber
ExploreInvertebrate
Sea Cucumber
Stichopus
Sea cucumbers are fascinating ocean creatures that come in various shapes and sizes. They play an important role in marine ecosystems by recycling nutrients and providing food for other animals.
Habitat: Deep Sea
Appearance
The Sea Cucumber is a cylindrical, worm-like creature with leathery skin, typically brown, green, or black. It often has bumpy or spiky textures across its body, lacking obvious eyes or fins. This unique shape makes it stand out from typical fish or shellfish.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumEchinodermataClassHolothuroideaOrderAspidochirotidaFamilyStichopodidaeGenusStichopus
Category
InvertebrateRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
One sea cucumber species can roll like a ball to escape danger!
Some sea cucumbers can absorb oxygen through their rear end – like breathing with their butt!
Some tiny fish live inside a sea cucumber's body for shelter!
Their mouth is surrounded by feathery tentacles to sweep up tiny food.
Special abilities
Ability
Organ Ejection Defense
Sea Cucumber can forcibly eject its internal organs to distract predators, because of specialized muscles and ability to regenerate them later.
Ability
Body Rebirth
Sea Cucumber has an amazing capacity to regrow lost body parts that helps them survive severe injuries.
Ability
Sticky Trap Spray
Sea Cucumber can release extremely sticky, white threads from its rear end that helps them entangle attacking predators.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 5-50 cm
- Weight
- 0.1-4 kg
- Lifespan
- 5-10 years
- Swim Speed
- 0.01 km/h
- Maximum Depth
- 8000 m
- Water Type
- Saltwater
Diet & Feeding
They are the ocean's clean-up crew, eating tiny bits off the seafloor.
Primary Foods
- organic debris
- microscopic algae
- tiny plankton
- bacteria
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
shelters
Pearlfish
Carapus acus
Lives inside their body.
eats
Chocolate Chip Starfish
Protoreaster nodosus
Preys on sea cucumbers.
eats
Shame-faced Crab
Daldorfia horrida
Crabs may prey on them.
Traits
Wildlife
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Filter Feeder
Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water.
Deep Sea
Deep sea habitats are characterized by extreme pressure, darkness, and cold temperatures, supporting unique life forms below the sunlit zone.
Regenerative
Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
HolothurianSea Pig
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Avoid touching sea cucumbers in the wild to prevent harming them or yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Sea Cucumber?
5-50 cm
How much does Sea Cucumber weigh?
0.1-4 kg
How long does Sea Cucumber live?
5-10 years
What does Sea Cucumber eat?
They are the ocean's clean-up crew, eating tiny bits off the seafloor.
How fast can Sea Cucumber swim?
0.01 km/h
Where is Sea Cucumber usually found?
Deep Sea
How does Sea Cucumber hunt?
Foraging
How deep can Sea Cucumber go?
8000 m
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
