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May 1, 2021: Sea Cucumber

The swimming sea cucumber, Enypniastes eximia, sometimes referred to as the “headless chicken monster,” is a widespread species present in the abyss. It is encountered widely around the world with records from the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Atlantic, East Atlantic, New Zealand, and the Southern Ocean (Antarctica).

Image courtesy of the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Exploring Deep-sea Habitats off Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Download larger version (jpg, 1.2 MB).

The swimming sea cucumber, Enypniastes eximia, sometimes referred to as the “headless chicken monster,” is a widespread species present in the abyss. It is encountered widely around the world with records from the Gulf of Mexico, Tropical Atlantic, East Atlantic, New Zealand, and the Southern Ocean (Antarctica). This one was seen off Puerto Rico in 2018.

Swimming sea cucumbers have a special 'flap' which they use to 'lift' themselves off the seafloor. The transparent body reveals the sediment-filled intestine looping around from the mouth (top) to the anus (bottom).

From: Holothurian Hill.