California sea cucumber

Apostichopus californicus · The California sea cucumber is a sea cucumber found from the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California, from the low intertidal zone down to 250 m deep.

Also called Giant California sea cucumber.

California sea cucumber
Photo: pfly, CC BY-SA 2.0
California sea cucumber
Photo: Ed Bierman from CA, usa, CC BY 2.0
California sea cucumber
Photo: Ed Bierman from CA, usa, CC BY 2.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumEchinodermata
ClassHolothuroidea
OrderSynallactida
FamilyStichopodidae
GenusApostichopus
SpeciesApostichopus californicus

Where it lives

Pacific coast from the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California, from low tide down to 250 m.

Fun facts

  • When threatened, this sea cucumber can expel its organs out through its anus.
  • It can also shoot out sticky filaments to ensnare or confuse predators.
  • Its mouth is surrounded by twenty retractable tentacles that pull food in.
  • It can grow to 50 cm long, and it has five rows of tube feet running from its mouth to its anus.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).