Common Bath Sponge

Spongia officinalis

Explore the Common Bath Sponge (Spongia officinalis) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

The Common Bath Sponge is a marine sponge found in shallow Mediterranean and nearby eastern Atlantic waters around Europe and Africa. It filters water through its porous body and has a soft fibrous skeleton historically harvested for natural sponges; sustainable collection is important because it is a slow-growing benthic animal.

Classification in this archive

Animals › Sponges › Demosponges › Dictyoceratida › Spongiidae › Spongia

Habitat and distribution

Regions in this record: Africa, Europe

Demonstration note

[DEMO] Bath sponges have a flexible skeleton made of spongin fibres rather than bones or a shell.