Snot Sea Cucumber
The Snot Sea Cucumber is covered in a mucous slime and feels sticky to touch.
Classification
- Species: dolabrifera
- Genus: Leptosynapta
- Family: Synaptidae
- Order: Apodida
- Class: Holothuroidea
- Phylum: Echinodermata
- Kingdom: Animalia
Identification: Like all echinoderms, the Snot Sea Cucumber has spiny skin. The microscopic spines, called anchors, are embedded into the thin, transparent body wall and help the sea cucumber burrow through the sand.
Size range: 15 cm
Distribution: Snot Sea Cucumbers are found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia andTasmania.Habitat: Snot Sea Cucumbers live on intertidal rocky shores and in coastal waters to a depth of 200 m.
Behaviour and adaptations: Feeding and Diet. As the Snot Sea Cucumber burrows, contracting its body like a huge earthworm, tentacles surrounding its mouth sweep in sand and mud. The sea cucumber extracts nutrients from the sand and mud, and excretes the rest, leaving behind trails of sand like squeezed toothpaste.
I admit it, I’ve posted this purely for the name, Snot Sea Cucumber. And the fact it’s slimy.
