Stichopus californicus

The Giant California Sea Cucumber

Phylum Echinodermata
Class Holothuroidea
Order Aspidochirotida
Family Stichopodidae
Genus Stichopus
Species californicus

Description: Up to 40 cm long, 5 cm wide or larger; brown, red, red-brown to yellowish, sometimes splotched; modified tube feet only on lower surface; red-tipped conical projections on upper surface can vary in size; branched tentacles around mouth have small disks at the tip.

Habitat: Normally found subtidally, but sometimes found at low tide or on floats and dock pilings.

Natural History: This is the largest of our local sea cucumbers. It can rear up and swim with slow undulations when threatened. Like many other sea cucumbers, it can eviscerate part of its internal organs and escape while its predator is distracted by this meal. The muscle wall that forms the body is considered a delicacy by some, and this species is fished commercially in the Puget Sound.