Fact Friday
Sea cucumbers are often referred to as “earthworms of the sea.” These strange-looking creatures are extremely beneficial to coral reefs. They use their tentacles to shovel sand, tiny organisms, and detritus into their mouths. Similar to earthworms, they provide “fertilizer” or food for other animals. They do so by excreting waste products such as calcium carbonate and ammonia, which provides nutrients for other animals like corals.
Photo Credit: Ken Marks
For Students
Below are online student worksheets that will reinforce and extend the knowledge you will learn in each unit of the Coral Reef Ecology Curriculum. There are three types of worksheets: Lessons, Watch It! worksheets that accompany educational YouTube videos, and Read It! worksheets that accompany our blogs.