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 The 1,100 organisms in the class holothuroidea
are commonly know as sea cucmubers. They have long worm-like cylindrical bodies
with five rows of tube feet on one side that are used to move with.
Sea cucumbers are common in tide pools and the
ocean. In very deep water they make up most of the creatures on the sea floor.
Unlike other echinoderms sea cucumbers have a soft
body. This is a result of their skeletal struceture. Their skeletal plates are
reduced to microscopic spicules, this differs from other echinoderms.
Sea cucumbers eat using 10 to 30 tube feet located
near the mouth. They use these tube feet to help suck in water and strain out
food particles. In polluted water or when agitated they can expell digestive
organs from their bodies, and grow new ones.
In parts of Asia sea cucumbers and certain organs
are smoked and eaten as a delicacy.
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