Sea cucumbers are oceanic invertebrates that can vary in size, ranging from less than an inch (2.5 centimeters) to over six feet (1.8 meters). They are found in virtually every marine environment in the world, from shallow environments to deep water environments. Most sea cucumbers are male or female and fertilization takes place outside the body in water. These animals are not the best hunters in the seven seas and prefer to search for their food instead of tracking it.
Almost all sea cucumbers are detritivores and eat small pieces of food that settle on the bottom of the sea, including invertebrates, algae, bacteria and decaying organic matter. They are found in most oceans and at depths ranging from shallow waters to the depths of the sea, lying directly at the bottom or burrowing into the sediments at the bottom. In most sea cucumbers, calcium carbonate plaques are microscopic and embedded under the skin. By getting rid of their internal organs, sea cucumbers can temporarily confuse predators, allowing them to escape quickly.
At depths of less than 8.8 km, sea cucumbers are found in large herds that cross the ocean in search of food. Their leathery skin is mostly made of collagen fibers. These fibers can be loosened and tightened to allow sea cucumbers to pass through small gaps as if they were liquefying their body. During spawning, sea cucumbers take on a snake-like appearance, with the front side raised from the bottom.
The red strawberry sea cucumber lives in groups of up to 93 animals per square foot (1000 animals per square meter).Although most sea cucumbers are harmless to humans, you should avoid picking them, as it can damage them or cause them to become disoriented. Recent increases in demand have had a significant impact on local populations of sea cucumbers, and overexploitation has led to the virtual disappearance of these animals in many areas. There aren't many creatures that can regenerate organs, and this exceptional talent is most likely the way sea cucumbers have managed to thrive and survive for as long as they have. This remarkable ability has enabled them to inhabit virtually every marine environment in the world.
