Holothuria forskali

(Delle Chiaje, 1824)

Vernacular names
English : Black sea-cucumber
French : Holothurie noire

Classification
Class : Holothuroidea
Order : Holothuriida
Family : Holothuriidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Cylindrical body, reaching a total length of about 25 cm. Its skin looks very thick and fleshy and is full of protruding spines. Normal coloration is black but brown specimens are also observed. Spines are usually clearer, almost white.

Range and habitat
North-East Atlantic from Ireland to Senegal. Also occurs in the English Channel and Mediterranean sea. Found on rocky, sandy and muddy bottoms, also in aquatic grasslands.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is very common in its range and is facing no known threats at present.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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