![]() ![]() What animals use chemical toxins?įive unusual toxic animals and their chemical weapons Similar to terrestrial plants, sponges have evolved a variety of defensive mechanisms to reduce predation, including chemical and structural defenses (Hill et al., 2005 Pawlik et al., 1995). A few species of fish, seaslugs and hawksbill turtles eat sponges, many sponge species contain toxic substances as well as sharp spicules to discourage predators. Why do sponges have very few predators?Ī few species of sponge are carnivorous preying mainly on small crustaceans and other small animals. A number of these predators are u201cspongivorousu201d making their living eating only sponges. ![]() ![]() What is an interesting fact about Sponges? There are more than 9,000 known species of Sponge! Is a sponge predator or prey?īecause sponges cannot move and lack a hard outer protective shell, they are highly susceptible to marine predators such as fish, turtles, and invertebrates. What are some predators of Sponges? Predators of Sponges include fish, turtles, and echinoderms. However, many sponges protect themselves by producing toxins that make them unpalatable or poisonous to potential predators Do sponges have predators? Sponges do not have nervous systems that would allow them to respond to changes in their environment. Spicules are made of silica, calcium carbonate, or spongin, a tough protein. A sponge endoskeleton consists of short, sharp rods called spicules (see Figure below). An internal skeleton is called an endoskeleton. ![]() Sponges have an internal skeleton that gives them support and protection. Spicules What is the one structure that helps provide structure and defense for a sponge? What are the structures in a sponge that help support it and protect from predators? Common sponge predators include sea turtles, wrasses, parrotfish, and nudibranchs, all of which have evolved special features that allow them to work around the sponge’s defenses. Some sponges contain toxins that make them taste disgusting, as well. How have sponges adapted to protect themselves? ![]()
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