Cotton-spinner (Holothuria forskali)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Holothuria forskali
- Common name
- Cotton-spinner
- Category
- Echinoderms
- Family
- Holothuriidae
- Genus
- Holothuria
- Size
- 20–40 cm
- Depth
- 1–100 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, sand
- Behaviours
- benthic, slow-mover
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Mediterranean
Description
Holothuria forskali reaches 40 cm. Mediterranean and nearby temperate Atlantic sea cucumber with uniformly velvet-black cylindrical body (sometimes purple-brown), small lateral warts. Capable of emitting famous Cuvier tubules (sticky white viscous filaments) defensively when stressed. Lives from 1 to 100 m on seagrass, sand and rocky bottoms of Mediterranean, North Sea, East Atlantic. Detritivore grazing organic matter on sediments. Moderate commercial fishery. Classic macro photo subject of Med dives, named after Pehr Forsskal Swedish naturalist.
Photo of Cotton-spinner
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Cotton-spinner?
- Cotton-spinner (Holothuria forskali) reaches 20–40 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Cotton-spinner?
- Cotton-spinner is found between 1–100 m deep.
- Is the Cotton-spinner dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Cotton-spinner?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Cotton-spinner?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Holothuria
- Holothuria tubulosa - Tubular sea cucumber
- Holothuria atra - Black sea cucumber
- Holothuria edulis - Pink sea cucumber
- Holothuria fuscogilva - White teatfish
- Holothuria sanctori - Brown sea cucumber
- Holothuria poli - Poli's sea cucumber
Other species in the family Holothuriidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 1670329)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2279155)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia