Species Type:
Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Burrowing sea cucumber
Size:
The burrowing sea cucumber can grow up to 16.4 inches (41.6 centimeters) long.
Diet:
These sea cucumbers feed on the top layers of sand underneath coral reef communities. They filter nutrients from the sand and spit the rest back into the ocean.
Range & Habitat:
The burrowing sea cucumber digs itself into sandy bottom habitats and seagrass beds. In the Indo-Pacific Ocean and western central Atlantic Ocean.
Details:
This sea cucumber has its mouth in front and tube feet at the back that help it move through the sandy seafloor. It feeds on detritus and organic material in the sand, recycling nutrients and playing an important role in its ecosystem. Like other sea cucumbers, they can confuse predators by ejecting their internal organs.