SEA CUCUMBER WEEK: PINEAPPLE SEA CUCUMBER
Continuing the week of sea cucumbers! Today we're talking about the pineapple sea cucumber
, an unusual member of our collection.
PINEAPPLE SEA CUCUMBER IN ARL
Name: ARL Thelenota Ananas
Tier:
2
SubTier:
Common
Class:
Sea Cucumber
WHY IS IT GOING EXTINCT?
The pineapple sea cucumber is the most popular species of trepangs eaten in China and other Southeast Asian countries. Scientists have confirmed that pineapple sea cucumbers are
good for the human body, because they contain antioxidants as well as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antiviral properties. That’s what makes them such a popular product.
LIFESTYLE AND FACTS
The holothuria's body is
rapidly regenerative. It can completely regenerate even from
a quarter of its body, with a new holothuria also growing from the other part.
In case of danger, the sea cucumber
explodes, ejecting its intestines, hoping to escape while the predator eats the discarded parts.
The pineapple sea cucumber is
one of the largest species of holothuria. And its size is difficult to measure because it shrinks when touched in any way and enlarges when moved, so scientists determine the size of holothuria only from photographs.
___
What do you think of this amazing creature: scary or fascinating? Let us know in the comments
