Sea Cucumbers: Holothuroidea

Physical characteristics: Candy cane sea cucumbers are colorful and large, as long as 20 inches (51 centimeters). The entire body is covered with pointed tube feet. Candy cane sea cucumbers have a bright red pattern of stripes on a white background and have about twenty dull red shield-shaped tentacles.

Geographic range: Candy cane sea cucumbers live in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean.

Habitat: Candy cane sea cucumbers live on sand patches on reefs 20 to 200 feet (6 to 60 meters) deep.

Diet: Candy cane sea cucumbers eat food particles they find in the sand.

Candy cane sea cucumbers are colorful and large, as long as 20 inches (51 centimeters). The entire body is covered with pointed tube feet. (Fred McConnaughey/Photo Researchers, Inc.)

Behavior and reproduction: Candy cane sea cucumbers crawl exposed on the reef during the day and at night. When disturbed they curl up by bringing their front and back ends together. Candy cane sea cucumbers release their eggs and sperm into the water, where they unite and develop into larvae, which transform into young sea cucumbers that develop into adults.

Candy cane sea cucumbers and people: Candy cane sea cucumbers are harvested by accident with sea cucumbers that are used to make trepang.

Conservation status: Candy cane sea cucumbers are not considered threatened or endangered. ∎