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Leptosynapta sp. (Burrowing sea cucumber)
Copyright © 2008
Mary Jo Adams
Two very similar burrowing sea cucumbers are found on Pacific Northwest beaches. They are Leptosynapta clarki and Leptosynapta albicans. These organisms reach a length of 5.8 inches (15 cm.). Because they have smooth pinkish skin and no tubefeet, they look very much like worms. These echinoderms give away their true identity when they extend the 12 tiny tentacles around their mouth. Like other sea cucumbers, they feed on detritus. Look for these sea cucumbers in muddy and sandy beaches, among eelgrass, in gravel, and under rocks in sandy areas. They live from the intertidal zone to a depth of 240 feet (73 m.).
This
page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/7/08.
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