Sea Cucumber

Tahitian names

Rori

Interesting facts

The sea cucumber is present in lagoons on sandy floors. Some eat particles in suspension in the water, other are detritivores. They swallow large quantities of sand, and this is part of their role as filterers. They are able to reproduce without gametes: it divides itself in two, each part becomes a distinct individual. When stressed or attacked, the rori will expel white filaments that are very sticky. Polynesians use this filament to make shoe soles to walk on the reef.

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