Black Sea Cucumber

Holothuria atra

Explore the Black Sea Cucumber (Holothuria atra) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The Black Sea Cucumber is a tropical sea cucumber found on shallow reef flats and sandy seabeds in the Indian and Pacific oceans, including waters around Africa, Asia, and Oceania. It ingests sediment and extracts organic matter, leaving processed sand behind. This feeding helps recycle nutrients and maintain seafloor sediments, though sea cucumbers can be vulnerable to overharvest.

Classification in this archive

Animals › Echinoderms › Sea cucumbers › Holothuriida › Holothuriidae › Holothuria

Habitat and distribution

Regions in this record: Africa, Asia, Oceania

Demonstration note

[DEMO] When disturbed, a black sea cucumber can release sticky white threads that distract predators.