Can I Touch a Sea Cucumber? An Expert's Guide

The truth is that sea cucumbers don't like to be touched. Even if you spot one, it's best to keep your hands off. For instance, leopard sea cucumbers will expel their intestines as a defense mechanism when handled, which can cause serious damage to their internal structure. Sea urchins can also inject a small amount of venom when they bite, but the amount is usually too small to cause any serious injury.

Out of the 10 species of hedgehogs, some are poisonous and even deadly. If you do get bitten by a sea urchin, it's important to thoroughly wash and rinse the area with vinegar to remove any toxins and then observe it for the next few days for signs of infection.

Many marine creatures, such as starfish, sea cucumbers, and mushroom corals, are extremely delicate and intricate, and human hands can easily crush or damage their tiny structures, which can be harmful to the animal. Human skin is also covered in oils and bacteria that can damage marine fauna like corals and sea anemones.

Divers should be especially careful around these creatures since accidental bites when walking on a shallow reef or accidentally touching them while diving can be painful. Even fish that seem to enjoy being touched can have their protective layer removed by human hands, making them more susceptible to infections.

Sea cucumber

venom is toxic to humans and if the Cuvierian tubules come into contact with the eyes, it can result in permanent blindness. Holoturine is a strong poison that quickly weakens the enemy's muscles when released by sea cucumbers.

Although sea cucumbers may appear harmless, they will expel holoturine - a white, sticky substance - from their cuvierian organ when threatened. The popularity of visitors interacting with these lagoon animals has led us to add four more species of sea cucumbers to the touch pool. If you're planning a trip to the reef, avoid touching animals and ask for photos that include wildlife without touching them or rewarding animals for certain behaviours. A trip to the Great Barrier Reef should be an experience that captures all the senses: smell and taste the marine air, observe different varieties of fish and marine life and listen to the waves crashing against the side of the ship.

Fire coral, also known as spicy or red sea coral, belongs to the species order Milleporina but is not actually a coral at all. Some animals are covered in toxins that are extremely harmful to humans; for example, touching a starfish-shaped like a crown of thorns can introduce a toxin five times more potent than bee venom with serious consequences.

In conclusion, it's best not to touch any marine life while visiting the reef or while diving. Even if an animal appears harmless or even friendly towards humans, it's important to remember that they have their own defense mechanisms that can be dangerous if triggered.