Habitat and Adaptations

Echinoderms are marine, although few can survive being washed on the shore by a tide for several hours. They are the only phylum with no freshwater or land animals. There is no fossil evidence that shows any exception to this. Within the marine waters echinoderms can survive in a variety of habitats. The habitat use of echinoderms also depends on the area where their communities are developed. One study counted twenty-eight species on the rocky bottom while thirty-eight species were found on the sandy bottom. Many echinoderm species such as sea stars or sea cucumbers cling to rocks and therefore prefer rocky areas, while other echinoderm species prefer it to be sandy where they can burry themselves in order to remain concealed. There are also many echinoderms that enjoy living in mud. In addition, echinoderms are known to commonly use other animals as homes such as sponges or the skin of other fishes. Echinoderms are found in all marine waters except the Arctic. Within the marine waters, echinoderms are located in different areas depending on their preferred temperatures. Sea cucumbers have adapted to face predators without a calcium carbonate endoskeleton. When threatened, they are able to release all internal organs into their surroundings. This confuses the predator and gives the sea cucumber an escape route. Many echinoderms are sand, coral or reef coloured to camoflauge themselves in their habitat.