Skip to content

Why do sea cucumbers eject organs?

Show answer & explanation

Answer: Confusing attacking predators

Shedding old tissueWrong. It's not routine shedding—it's emergency defense. The ejected organs are sticky and toxic, designed to entangle or poison predators.

Digesting food externallyWrong. Sea cucumbers digest food internally with their intact digestive system. Evisceration is purely defensive.

Confusing attacking predatorsCorrect! When threatened, some sea cucumbers violently contract and eject internal organs (intestines, respiratory trees) through their anus toward predators! The organs are sticky and sometimes toxic, tangling and deterring attackers. Amazingly, sea cucumbers regenerate all lost organs within weeks. Ultimate sacrifice and recovery!

🚀 Play today's quiz — new questions daily

More Marine Life questions