Characteristics
Members of the Holothuriida order exhibit a wide range of characteristics, including:
- Elongated, cylindrical body with a soft, leathery skin
- Five rows of tube feet, which are used for locomotion and feeding
- A mouth surrounded by tentacles that capture food particles
- A unique defense mechanism involving the expulsion of internal organs (evisceration)
- A wide range of sizes, from a few centimeters to over a meter in length
Environments
Sea cucumbers are found in a variety of marine habitats, including:
- Intertidal zones
- Coral reefs
- Seagrass beds
- Deep-sea trenches
They are particularly abundant in tropical and subtropical regions.
References
