Bainbridge Island, WA – A trip to a Salish Sea beach at low tide is truly a treasure hunt. Most of our beaches are covered with rocks of different sizes, along with a variety of marine plants that can make finding the gems a bit of a challenge. Large rocks mean larger creatures, so start with them. Take a peek under the shaded edges closest to the beach and most of the time, you will be greeted by one creature or another going about their business.
Another tactic is to scan the beach for bright color in an otherwise monochromatic scene of grays and greens. A common resident of Salish Sea beaches is the orange sea cucumber, also known as a red sea cucumber or red sea gherkin. They are easy to find and fun to watch. At low tide, they seem to just sit there, but if you are patient, you may see them slowly expanding and contracting.
There is a lot going on in this video. Subtle movements in the periphery delight and stir up wonder as crabs, anemones and other tide pool creatures wait for the tide to return. At around 2:40 something unusual happens…
Experience the orange sea cucumber:
- The two most commonly seen species of sea cucumber in the Salish Sea are California sea cucumbers and orange sea cucumbers.
- You will find the much larger California sea cucumber moving slowly across the sandy sea floor. Orange sea cucumbers are found in rocky intertidal areas, typically attached to or hanging from the underside of rocks.
- Orange sea cucumbers let their food come to them instead of scooping it up on the move like the larger California sea cucumber. When submerged, 10 tentacles resembling branches filter the nutrient rich water for detritus and plankton, then literally deposit it into the small mouth seen in the center of the tentacles.
- Because orange sea cucumbers are anchored to their rock habitats, do not attempt to pick them up, as you can damage their delicate skin.
- As always, be sure your hands are free of sunscreen or other irritants before going to the beach. Before touching any marine creature, wet your hands with sea water so dry hands do not harm them. Use a gentle 1 -2 finger touch and never touch delicate mouthparts.
For more information about orange sea cucumbers, check out Shape Changing Sea Cucumbers. If you have questions or comments about the orange sea cucumber, contact us or post in the comments section.
Cultivate Wonder… Discover Design
Images and Video – SPegany©2000-2020
- How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. Psalm 104:24-25
Pacific Wonder Tracker 
WONDERful as always. Thanks for the great information and beautiful imagery. Loved the treat of the crabs as the cumber pulled under the rock. So much life in so little space. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks so much for your comments, Jeff. The core of what I know and have come to love about intertidal creatures began in your Kitsap Beach Naturalist class three years ago. I learned so much and still hear your instructive voice in my head as I encounter amazing marine life in our beautiful area. Even this website began as a Kitsap Beach Naturalist project!
For more information about becoming a Beach Naturalist in Kitsap county: https://extension.wsu.edu/kitsap/water-stewardship/beach-naturalists/ It is fun, easy and connects you with an amazing community of fellow “wonder trackers!”
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