Sea Pig.
(Photo courtesy of Paul Yancey, Biology Dept.,Whitman College,
Walla Walla Washington) |
These creatures live on or just underneath
the surface of the very bottom of the ocean, on the abyssal plain. Called
"sea pigs", they are a type of sea cucumber, which is a member of the
same phylum as starfish and sea urchins (Echinoderms). They look and
act kind of like slugs do up here on land. They feed on the mud of the
sea floor, benefiting from the organic materials that settle to the
ocean bottom. Sea cucumbers, starfish and sea urchins can be found in
all depths of the ocean. For reasons scientists don't yet understand,
members of the phylum Echinodermata (like the sea pigs) are extremely
successful down in the ocean depths. They are the most plentiful species
of sea creature down there. The sea floor must be "hog heaven"
for these sea pigs! This guy does look kinda like a pig, doesn't he?
Go to the NEXT PAGE
to see more creeps from the deep...
Read about the Deepest
Place in the Ocean
See our Creature Gallery for more fascinating
world records.
