Sea Cucumber Habitat
Sea cucumbers are unique ocean creatures, often mistaken for sea slugs. They have been, and still are, hunted for food, for skin and for pet sales, which have caused declining numbers in local populations (mostly across Asia and Alaska). Although they are not listed on the endangered species list, conservation efforts have been made to ensure these majestic animals are not over-hunted out of their natural habitats.
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What is a Sea Cucumber?
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A sea cucumber (scientifically named Holothuroidea) is a marine animal that looks similar to a land slug. However, a sea cucumber has an exoskeleton, unlike a slug or sea slug. The skin of a sea cucumber feels like leather and it often looks like a cucumber, not only because of its shape, but also because of the tiny bumps or spikes along its surface. There are many varieties of Holothuroidea, not all of which look like cucumbers, as they vary much in size and shape. In the wild, sea cucumbers can live between five and 10 years, according to the National Geographic.
Throughout the World
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According to Catalogue of Life: 2007 Annual Checklist, sea cucumbers are found throughout the world in many oceans and seas, including off the coasts of Florida, Hawaii, the United Kingdom, Asia and eastern Australia. Wherever they are, it's not just a few. Sea-cucumber areas tend to be sporadic with dense populations in certain locations.
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Deep Water
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Large numbers of sea cucumbers are living on the ocean floor. In fact, at depths below five and a half miles, sea cucumbers make up about 90 percent of the animal population. They move in herds, looking for food across the floor's gravel. The animals are able to control their weight and buoyancy in the deep waters because of their unique blubber and skin tissue, which feels like gelatin. They breathe underwater with the use of two tentacles inside of their anuses. Those tentacles work like a nose, breathing in oxygen and then breathing out.
Shallow Water
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Tropical locations are popular with sea cucumbers, such as the coasts of Hawaii and Florida, for example. Here, they are found just below the surface. They can also be found in the deep waters near the coast, but for the most part, they are found in shallow waters and near coral reefs. It is in the shallow water that the variety of sea cucumbers becomes apparent. In the coral reefs, it's not uncommon to find multiple species (sometimes 15 or more) of sea cucumbers living in a three-acre radius. There are also a few swimming species of sea cucumbers, which will swim out in the middle of the ocean and venture into shallow waters and deep waters, as well.
Captive Sea Cucumbers
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Sea cucumbers are popular for reef aquariums because they are naturally found in coral reefs. Though a specialist may tell you they're easy to care for, managing a sea cucumber in a private tank is tricky. Because some species can go for months to a year without feeding in the right environment, some people will not realize when a newly acquired sea cucumber is starving. Sea cucumbers eat certain sands, so it's easy to feed them with the right sand and some research on their diet. Also, some sea cucumbers can fit into spaces much smaller than they appear to be able to. For this reason, covering any aquarium pumps or tubes is a must.
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References
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- Photo Credit Wikimedia Commons
