Sea cucumber

Sea cucumbers are marine invertebrates that live on the seafloor. They're named for their unusual oblong shape that resembles a fat cucumber. Although people occasionally eat sea cucumbers, these chubby, worm-like sea creatures aren't related to their namesake fruit (and they wouldn't make a very appetizing salad topping if you were expecting a crunchy, refreshing bite). There are about 1,250 species of sea cucumber, all of which belong to the taxonomic class Holothuroidea. This class falls under the Echinodermata phylum, which also includes many other well-known marine invertebrates, such as sea stars, sea urchins and sand dollars, according to National Geographic. Sea cucumbers range in size from about three-quarters of an inch (1.9 centimeters) to more than 6 feet long (1.8 meters) and live throughout the world's oceans, from nearshore shallow waters to the ocean's deepest trenches, according to the National Wildlife Federation. No matter the depth, their main residence is on the ocean floor, often partially buried in sand. Sea cucumbers, like all other echinoderms, exhibit radial symmetry, according to the University of California, Berkeley's Museum of Paleontology (UCMP). But instead of having five arms arranged in a circle like sea stars or sand dollars, sea cucumbers have five rows of tiny feet that run lengthwise down their bodies, from mouth to anus. Their tube-shaped feet serve mainly to anchor the limbless creatures to the seafloor, according to Woods Hole Ocean...

Sea cucumbers are marine animals of the class Sea cucumber Chinese name hǎishēn hoi2 sam1 Literal meaning sea ginseng Transcriptions hǎishēn hoi2 sam1 hái-sam hái-sim hái-sum Vietnamese name hải sâm Korean name 해삼 海蔘 Transcriptions haesam haesam The creature and the food product are commonly known as bêche-de-mer in bicho do mar (literally "sea animal"), trepang (or trīpang) in namako in balatan in loli in deniz patlıcanı (sea eggplant) in Most cultures in Many sea cucumber species are endangered and are at risk of • • • • bat susu, white teatfish) • • • • • • Western Australia has sea cucumber fisheries from Exmouth to the border of the Northern Territory; almost all of the catch is sandfish ( bêche-de-mer is regulated by state and federal legislation. Five other species are targeted in the state's bêche-de-mer harvest, these are In the far north of Queensland, Australia, sea cucumber are harvested from the Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. Targeted species include H. scabra (sand fish). Divers are supplied air via hose or "hookah" from the surface and collect their catch by hand, diving to depths of up to 40 m. See also: The trade in trepang, between Macassans seafarers and the aborigines of Arnhem Land, to supply the markets of Southern China is the first recorded example of trade between the inhabitants of the Australian continent and their Asian neighbours. The Asian market for sea cucumber is estimated to be It is typically used in In Japan, sea cucumber is also ...

While you may not be familiar with sea cucumbers, they’re considered a delicacy in many Asian cultures. Not to be confused with vegetables, sea cucumbers are marine animals. They live on sea floors throughout the world, but the greatest population is found in the Pacific Ocean. Most sea cucumbers resemble large worms or caterpillars and have soft, tubular bodies. They are gathered by divers or farmed commercially in large, artificial ponds. In addition to their culinary appeal, sea cucumbers are used in traditional folk medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments. This article looks into the nutritional benefits of sea cucumbers and whether they are worth adding to your diet. Sea cucumbers have been used as a food source and medicinal ingredient in Asian and Middle Eastern countries for centuries. In fact, they have been fished from the Pacific Ocean for over 170 years ( These slug-like animals are used either fresh or dried in various dishes, though the dried form is by far the most commonly used. Dried sea cucumber, known as bêche-de-mer or trepang , is rehydrated and added to recipes like soups, stews, and stir-fries. Sea cucumbers can also be eaten raw, pickled, or fried. They have a slippery texture and bland taste, so they’re usually infused with flavor from other ingredients like meats, other seafood, or spices. They’re often combined with produce like Chinese cabbage, winter melon, and Sea cucumber is also used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it’s believed ...

Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Email Sea cucumbers are oceanic invertebrates that can range in size but can grow up to nearly seven feet long. The smallest ones are a mere few inches long. These animals have soft bodies and powerful tentacles around their mouths, which they use for sucking in food from both the ocean floor and water itself. They tend to move slowly but can burrow deep in the seafloor to escape predators. Table of Contents • • • • Sea Cucumber Diet These animals aren’t the best hunters in the seven seas, preferring to scavenge their food rather than track it down. They generally eat a mixture of plankton, algae, and other small organisms, as well as waste. Sea cucumbers are omnivores, meaning that they eat both plant and animal material, depending on what is available. New research shows that these animals can also benefit from a diet of seagrass and seagrass sediment, although sea cucumbers will not necessarily seek out seagrass in the wild. These creatures live in all ocean areas, so their diet tends to vary and depend upon weather changes and migration patterns. Habitat You can find sea cucumbers just about anywhere, although most of them prefer to stay in the shallows. Many sea cucumbers prefer tropical waters, making their habitats in the Indian Ocean and Pacific. Spot sea cucumbers on coral reefs and near sandbars, where they like to feed. Although most sea cucumbers are harmless to humans, you should avoid picking them up as doing so may harm them...

Many sea cucumbers can expel their internal organs through the anus and grow new ones. This may be a device for escape from a predator, or it may occur for physiological reasons. Some species also expel specialized sticky filaments that ensnare or confuse an enemy. Sea cucumbers shelter Carapus species) in the anal cavity, with the head of the Animal Factoids Sea cucumbers are found in all oceans, mostly in shallow water but sometimes at depths of many thousands of metres. They are best represented in the Holothuria are deposit feeders similar to Sea cucumbers are harvested to produce numerous products, including medicines and dietary supplements, shampoo, and toothpaste. However, The populations of numerous high-value species, including H. fuscogilva, H. whitmaei, H. scabra, and Isostichopus fuscus, have been decimated by overfishing that has occurred since the 1980s. Harvesting operations subsequently targeted dozens of lower-value species, such as Cucumaria frondosa, an I. fuscus and H. scabra, in This article was most recently revised and updated by

The sea cucumber is an oblong-shaped, gelatinous creature that is of the class Holothuroidea and distantly related to starfish and sea urchins. The sea cucumber comes by its name honestly as it is indeed shaped like a cucumber. This marine animal is considered a delicacy in many different cuisines but is most popular in China and other Asian countries. It is prevalent on the floor of the Pacific Ocean and is harvested either by divers or commercially farmed in large, manmade ponds. Sea cucumber is sold dried and frozen and needs to be boiled before it is added to stir-fries and braised dishes. • Shelf Life: 2 to 3 years • Varieties: fresh, dried, and frozen • Most Common Cuisine: Asian What Is Sea Cucumber? There are hundreds of varieties of sea cucumber found in oceans throughout the world. Depending on where you travel, you'll find it called everything from the romantic-sounding bêche-de-mer to the somewhat less attractive "sea rat." The Chinese name for sea cucumber is hai shen, which translates roughly into "sea ginseng," perhaps referring to the food's reputed medicinal properties. Although sometimes sold fresh, it is more often that the sea cucumber will be dried right after harvest, known as bêche-de-mer or repang, and requires rehydration before cooking . Sea cucumber is also sold frozen and will need to be defrosted before using it. It is 1 to 3 inches thick and no more than 6 inches in length, and is very expensive, although depending on the variety will range in...

Despite what the name suggests, sea cucumbers are not vegetables. They’re a tube-shaped sea creature that has been an important part of Chinese cuisine for centuries. In fact, it has been referenced since the Ming dynasty. Today, this little animal is seeing a renaissance in restaurants around the world. Sea cucumbers are more than just historical; they’re also healthy. High in protein, they’re a great alternative to red meat. These slippery sea creatures offer an array of health benefits for those who are brave enough to try them. Health Benefits Sea cucumbers possess vital vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that provide important health benefits. For example, they contain riboflavin, which is an essential vitamin for your body’s energy production and metabolism. Riboflavin also helps process other nutrients and medications in the body, making it a critical component of your diet. Sea cucumbers are also a good source of magnesium, which helps your heart beat and bones grow while contributing to the production of healthy DNA. In addition, sea cucumbers can provide other health benefits like: Heart Health Regularly eating sea cucumber may help you improve aspects of your heart health, such as a reduction in Liver Health Your liver is a critical part of keeping your blood and digestive system healthy. Early research suggests that consuming sea cucumber may help reduce your risk of Reduced Risk of Cancer Sea cucumbers are rich in Nutrition Sea cucumber is an excellent sourc...