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Sea Cucumbers: The Unsung Heroes of the Ocean Floor
What Are Sea Cucumbers, Really?
- Sea cucumbers are echinoderms, related to sea stars and sea urchins.
- There are over 1,700 known species, found from shallow waters to the deep sea.
- They have tube feet, leathery skin, and use water pressure to move and breathe.
How Sea Cucumbers Help the Environment
1. Nature’s Janitors
They eat detritus and organic particles in sediment, cleaning up the ocean floor and breaking waste down into usable nutrients.
2. Nutrient Recyclers
Their poop is rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, fertilizing seagrasses, corals, and algae — supporting the base of the food chain.
3. Sediment Engineers
They turn over ocean sediment, improving oxygen flow and keeping the sea floor healthy for other bottom-dwellers.
4. Carbon Sequestration
They ingest calcium carbonate in sediment, contributing to carbon storage on the seafloor and helping in the marine carbon cycle.
Fun & Freaky Facts
- Defense Mechanism: Some can expel their internal organs to distract predators — and regrow them later.
- Breathing from Their Butt: Many breathe through their cloaca — a shared opening used for both excretion and respiration.
- Delicacy in Asia: Certain species are harvested for food and traditional medicine, which has led to overfishing.
Why They Need Protection
- Overharvesting for food and medicine has endangered some species.
- They’re essential for coral reef resilience and ocean floor health.
- Sustainable aquaculture and protections are needed to preserve their ecological role.
Sea cucumbers may not get the spotlight, but their role in maintaining marine ecosystems is critical. Quiet, weird, and wonderful — they’re nature’s custodians.
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