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Top 25 Surprising Sea Sponges Facts

by Ayu Mesdya

The sea sponges facts, what is the 25 sea sponges facts? Now, we will explore all of sea sponges facts.

What are the sea sponges, where is the habitat and why are the sea sponges have many benefits?  The following here is the 25 sea sponges facts that you must know.

 1. It’s an animal of sea

Have you ever seen a sea sponge? What do you think about them, plants, animal or stones? The researchers say that actually sea sponge is one of the marine animals. No wonder, many people still do not know because this animal does not move at all, like a rock.

2. The sea sponges aren’t move

Sea sponges have a very diverse color variants, such as yellow, red, blue and even orange. Another fact you should know is that the sea sponges do not move like any other animal, like a starfish. Although the sea sponges do not move, they remain a species of marine animals.

3. Multi-cellular organisms

Sea sponges are multi-cellular organisms. Multi-cellular organisms are living things that have more than one cell in them. This group of multicellular organisms has no cell wall and they can produce sperm, sea sponges are one of them.

4. The size of sea sponge

Some scientists say that the smallest sea sponge has a length of 3 cm. Usually, this sea sponge is flat and it is against the rock. While the largest size of sea sponges above 1 meter. The scientists also found that near the Hawaiian Islands has been found sea sponge with a length of approximately 3.5 meters and a height of 2.1 meters. Sea sponges are found in 7000 feet depth while diving with a vehicle operated from a distance (ROV).

5. The sea sponges haven’t any organs

How does a sea sponge digest food? Sea sponges do not have organs like other marine creatures. They are simply accepted, capture, filter, and digest bacteria, planktons and organic particles floating in the ocean currents. All the nutrients absorbed by the sea sponge will pass through thousands of tiny pores on the surface of their bodies.

6. How to eat

Sea sponges do not have a mouth like the other sea animals. Their way to eat is by filter feeder. The sea sponges usually only filter seawater or sea breathing in and out of these pores and taking in any bacteria, plankton that will serve as food.

7. The feed of sea sponges

The main food of sea sponge is a very small particle such as; bacteria, dinoflagellate, and nanoplankton. The food particles that enter the sea sponge will be captured by a flap called choanocyte. Choanocyte creates a stream of water through the body of a sea sponge. All food nutrition is filtered by sea sponge. The movement of water carried by choanocytes. It helps the digestive and respiratory systems in sea sponges.

8. The habitat of sea sponges

Sea sponges are water creatures that usually live in clear and, calm waters. They can also live well on hard surfaces such as on rocks or soft surfaces like sand. Sea sponges are not only live in the ocean, some species of sea sponges are found in freshwater lakes and also the rivers.

9. The number of sea sponges

It is said that there are 5,000 species of sea sponges that exist throughout the world. Species of this sea sponges are found in tropical regions up to the poles. Sea sponges are water creatures that do not move. They are mostly seen in tidal zones to a depth of 8000 meters. However, there are several species of marine sponges that live in fresh water as well.

10. The body of sea sponges

The fact is the body of the sea sponge does not move, this causes them cannot avoid from predators. In fact, the body of a sea sponge has two layers, a layer of jelly called mesohyl and which spicules have a thorny or hairy structure. This spicula is made of protein mesh, spongil, and calcium carbonate, as a defense against predators.

11. Body shape follows the flow of water

Sea sponges have varied shapes, some are radial symmetry, but some are irregular. Based on the water flow system, sea sponges are divided into 3 types; The shape of the asconoid resembles a tube or vase. Second, sponge-shaped spongy syconoid that shows a crease in the wall of his body. Finally, leuconoid is the most complicated shape. This shape consists of a small cavity fold that causes the sponge of the irregular.

12. Tiny pores of sea sponges

The tiny pores in the sea sponge have many uses. The main purpose of these tiny pores is to maintain the growth of the sponge. Small pores on the sea sponge are able to collect nutrients and simultaneously release waste and unnecessary objects. Is it amazing, right?

13. Sea sponges have multiple genitals

Male or female, can you guess what is the gender of a sea sponge? Sea sponges have multiple genitals, hermaphrodites. Sponges produce eggs and sperm cells at different times. It is through this way that sea sponges multiply among the marine sponge’s community.

14. The age of sea sponges

Actually, the age of the sea sponge has a lifetime of about 10 years. This lifetime can be owned by all types of sea sponges if humans do not harvest them. However, it is not all types of sea sponges can be harvested and traded. Only seven species of marine sponge species are eligible to be traded and used.

15. The population of sea sponges

The population of marine sponges can breed with the budding process. This process is different from other plants, such as mushrooms. The new buds that grow will last for a while. From here it is broken down into separate organisms. Sea sponges will stick to each other in each new growth cycle.

16. The self-defense of sea sponges

Sea sponges, they are unique living things that have no organs but have tremendous benefits for life. There is a way of self-defense from predators that you should know. Secondary metabolism is a one-way organism that maintains its existence. This method is also used to prevent and resist predatory attacks. It can also prevent bacterial infections and prevent ultraviolet light.

17. Contains a lot of iodine

In the Middle Ages, the Greek period, Roman sea sponges were exploited for various treatments. Actually, the sea sponge contains a lot of iodine that has antiseptic and antibacterial effects on the wound. Sea sponges can be used to heal some of these wounds and can even treat scars. Common types of sea sponges, such as sponges, yellow sponges, and red sponge trees.

18. Sea sponge predator

No doubt that the sea sponge can’t avoid from the predators. Predators of sea sponges commonly encountered are sea turtles, fish and insects in the Neuroptera and Sisyridae groups that are predators for freshwater sponges. The other predators are devouring sea sponges as well such as;  starfish and some types of nudibranchs (sea slugs).

19. Regenerating power

Another interesting fact from sea sponges. Sea sponges have tremendous regenerating power. The sea sponge has the ability to regrow the lost parts and pieces by being cut off by the water current. In addition, the sea sponge also has the ability to settle and resupply to grow back into a clone of its original form.

20. The volumes of water in a day

Sea sponges have the ability to regulate the amount of water that flows within their bodies. As water flows through the body, sea sponges contract with various openings. Flagella is one of the marine sponge porous cells present in its structure. Actively, sea sponges can attract and release 20,000 times the volume of water within their own bodies within 24 hours.

21. The uses of sea sponges

Sea sponges have long been believed to have many uses. Sea sponges are one of the most precious commodities that people in the world. Sea sponges have a natural quality of softness, strength and high absorption. The most common uses of sea sponges are for bathing, cosmetic applications, personal hygiene, hygiene and feminine treatments, bath and pet treatments, laundry and premium car information, wall paintings, watercolors, arts and crafts of all kinds, outdoor adventuring, household decoration, dishwasher, household cleaning, and many more uses.

22. The anti-AIDS drugs

Did you know that the fact that sea sponges can be used as a treatment? The Mediterranean community took advantage of this since hundreds of years ago. Sea sponges are currently being developed to become anti-AIDS drugs. The scientists found there are several chemical compounds in the type of sea sponge that contains toxins and antibiotics. This active compound is useful for the treatment of malignant diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, and HIV AIDS.

23. Have hypoallergenic and toxin-free

Natural sea sponges are better than synthetic sponges. Natural sea sponges have hypoallergic enzymes and toxins. This enzyme proved to inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria. Sea sponges are healthier, safer and effective for all body treatments, cosmetics and beauty applications. Sea sponges are also a favorite choice for households, especially in personal care and cleaning.

24. The perfect choice for cleansing

At the previous point, it has been explained a little that the sea sponge is one of the favorite choices to be cleansed. Sea sponges can actually cleanse and protect the skin, although the baby skin. It feels smooth and sensitive. Sea sponges are the best option for bathing without soap though. Some experts claim that the sea sponge is the best silk sponge for babies, children, and adults.

25. Sea sponges are harvested by divers

We know that the benefits and uses of sea sponges are numerous, some people take advantage of this for their commercial interests. Sea sponges are often harvested by divers, they take sea sponges and sell them for sale. However, too frequent harvesting of sea sponges also poses a threat to marine life. It is said that now the population of the sea sponge declined by up to 50%. Sea sponge is one of the living creatures that play an important role in marine life.

Hopefully, the explain of 25 sea sponges above that benefits for us.  The sea sponges have many benefits and use for the human and also the ecosystem in the sea. See also another facts post on the link below here as well.

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