Student Article
The Poop-Propelled "Headless Chicken Monster" of the Deep Sea
Sea cucumber (noun): A marine animal related to sea stars and sea urchins.
Marine snow (noun): Tiny bits of dead plants and animals that sink to the ocean floor.
Tentacle (noun): A long, flexible arm used for grabbing things.
Digestive tract (noun): The part of the body where food is broken down.
Predator (noun): An animal that hunts and eats other animals.
Have you heard of the "headless chicken monster"? It's a sea cucumber called Enypniastes eximia that lives deep in the ocean. Let's learn more about this amazing creature!
What is Enypniastes eximia?
Enypniastes eximia is a sea cucumber that looks like a headless chicken. It is about 10 inches (25 cm) long and has a see-through body. It lives in deep oceans, even near Antarctica.
How does it eat?
Enypniastes eximia eats something called marine snow. Marine snow is made of tiny bits of dead plants and animals that sink to the bottom of the ocean. Enypniastes eximia uses its tentacles to scoop up this food.
Why is it special?
This sea cucumber can swim by waving its body. It also has a see-through digestive tract, so you can see what it eats! Before it swims, it poops out the sand it has eaten, just like dumping sandbags from a hot air balloon.
How does it stay safe?
Enypniastes eximia can light up its body to scare away predators. If something touches it, its skin glows and falls off, making a glowing cloud. This helps it escape while the predator is distracted.
© Dr. Helen Scales / Our Media
Sea cucumber (noun): A marine animal related to sea stars and sea urchins.
Marine snow (noun): Tiny bits of dead plants and animals that sink to the ocean floor.
Tentacle (noun): A long, flexible arm used for grabbing things.
Digestive tract (noun): The part of the body where food is broken down.
Predator (noun): An animal that hunts and eats other animals.