Welcome to the final segment of Wild Facts – The Best Offense is a Good Defense. I figured it would be fun to end the week with one of the most bizarre animal self-defense strategies I have ever heard of.
Before we get into the fact, I just want you to know that the sea cucumber is related to the sea star and is actually an animal that is shaped like a cucumber. So what do they do if they are approached by a hungry fish? Some species of sea cucumbers are able to discharge sticky threads to trap their predators. I know you are thinking that this is not nearly as bizarre as shooting blood from your eyes or exploding your own body but stick with me. You see there are other species that get so stressed when threatened by a predator that it just tears them up inside. I am not kidding! The sea cucumber is able to remove parts of its body and shoot them towards the predator. Seriously!! This little cucumber-like animal can violently contract their muscles causing their internal organs to be released through their anus. This would obviously confuse and distract the would be predator giving the sea cucumber time to get away. So what about the lost organs? Luckily enough the sea cucumber will regenerate their organs in no time at all. Remember that the sea cucumber is a trained professional so please don’t try this at home.
I hope you all enjoyed this weeks special edition of Wild Facts outlining some of the most bizarre self-defense mechanisms. It really does boggle my mind how incredible these animal species are.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Well, I think there are times when it might be handy to be able to poop out offending organs. mmmmmm or maybe not. I didn’t know this one!
hahahaha! It would make minor surgery a lot easier but I am not sure if I would want to have this ability!
Hmm it looks like your blog ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess
I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m
thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any helpful hints for novice blog writers?
I’d definitely appreciate it.
They’re pretty, but as much as I like cucmbers, I don’t think I’ll add this one to my list of favourite foods!
You can’t judge until you have actually tried them 🙂
This is absolutely fascintating. I did see a sea cucumber once when a diver, in the Bahamas, brought one up on our boat. I didn’t see it discharge any organs…he got thrown back into the ocean after we all took a look at it!
They are definitely an unique creature. That is pretty wicked that you had the opportunity to see one up close and personal though. Probably good that it didn’t start expelling its organs in front of you. I can’t imagine that would be a pretty sight!
I enjoy these with a nice lite Raspberry Vinaigrette and Cherry Tomatoes. Or is it Plum Tomatoes?
Remind me never to have the salad at your house!
PS:
Nathan, Tis the season to be TIRED :-). I am sorry to have been away for awhile, but the holiday season tends to take all your free time and blogging time away from you. With that being said, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope you get to enjoy many smiles with your whole family, kindest regards Glenn
I completely agree with you Glenn! I have been crazy busy lately and I too have been neglecting my blogging duties to a degree.
Thanks for the well wishes and I wish the same for you! Merry Christmas and all the best in 2010! I hope you get a chance to relax a bit and enjoy this special time of the year.
The regeneration part is why sea cucumbers are really famous as healing substance in my part of the world. It is called “gamat” in Malay language. When I had an operation to remove my appendix (yeah, it’s an offending organ.. LOL!) I took 150ml jelly “gamat” over the course of a few weeks and the wound heal perfectly. And I don’t feel any pain too. It’s good for those who just gave birth too.. The sea cucumber might have an odd way of protecting themselves but they are very good for us humans.. 🙂
I had no idea that you could use it as a healing substance. I knew they were incredible at regenerating but didn’t know that could be transferred to humans. Thanks for posting this comment! Absolutely mind boggling!
I would not like to find that cucumber in my salad!
I would definitely be asking the waiter to return this salad!!!