Researchers at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) have shared enthralling footage of a sea cucumber flouncing through the deep sea, joking that it dances “better than you”.
“Most sea cucumbers live a sedentary life on the bottom of the ocean, sifting through sediment to find detritus that rains down from above,” says MBARI on Instagram. “But some sea cucumbers temporarily leave behind the life of eating and pooping on the seafloor to go for a swim.”
The odd pink creature featured in the video is a species called Peniagone, which lives in the deep sea and feeds by rummaging through the sediment. In the footage, it moves through the water by undulating its body, looking like a hand slowly waving up and down. These animals might need to swim to avoid potential threats or when they are looking for a mate.
“Sea cucumbers have adapted in remarkable ways to master the challenges of living in the deep sea,” says MBARI.
Image and video credit: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
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