Leopard sea cucumber (Bohadschia argus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Bohadschia argus
- Common name
- Leopard sea cucumber
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Holothuriidae
- Genus
- Bohadschia
- Size
- 30–60 cm
- Depth
- 1–40 m
- IUCN status
- Near threatened (NT)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, seagrass
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific
Description
Bohadschia argus reaches 60 cm. Sea cucumber with thick cylindrical beige to white-yellow body covered with black ringed ocelli (hence argus, reference to 100 eyes of mythological Argus). Digestive tube ingesting sand and spitting detritus, grazes organic matter. Emits famous sticky white tubules (Cuvier organs) defensively when threatened. Lives from 1 to 40 m on sands and seagrass of coral reefs of entire Indo-Pacific. Listed NT, fishery and aquaculture for Asian market. Photo subject for spectacular spotted pattern.
Photo of Leopard sea cucumber
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Leopard sea cucumber?
- Leopard sea cucumber (Bohadschia argus) reaches 30–60 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Leopard sea cucumber?
- Leopard sea cucumber is found between 1–40 m deep.
- Is the Leopard sea cucumber dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Leopard sea cucumber?
- IUCN status: Near threatened (NT).
- Where can you find the Leopard sea cucumber?
- Found in: Asian Pacific.
Other species in the family Holothuriidae
- Holothuria tubulosa - Tubular sea cucumber
- Holothuria forskali - Cotton-spinner
- Holothuria atra - Black sea cucumber
- Holothuria edulis - Pink sea cucumber
- Holothuria fuscogilva - White teatfish
- Holothuria sanctori - Brown sea cucumber
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 210768)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 5188185)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia