Entoprocts: Entoprocta

When they are touched, entoprocts contract their tentacles and bend at the stalk. Some species that live alone rather than in colonies can glide over the bottom. Others somersault across the bottom, and one can walk using a foot with two leglike extensions.

Entoprocts that live in colonies are either male or female, but both sexes are present in a single colony. Entoprocts that do not live in colonies make both eggs and sperm. They are males first and then turn into females. Male entoprocts release sperm into the water. The sperm is taken up by females and joins with eggs inside them. Larvae develop inside the females. Larvae (LAR-vee) are animals in an early stage that change form before becoming adults.

All entoprocts can reproduce by budding. Buds develop at the base of entoprocts that live in colonies or at the base or crown of entoprocts that live alone. The buds grows to full size and then break off to live as new individuals.