Filter Feeders

Sponges are the simplest of all the multicellular animals. A sponge is a bottom-dwelling creature who attaches itself to an object on the seafloor, and rarely ever moves from that area. They are very slow moving animals, and some adult sponges are permanently unmovable. Most sponges live in quiet, clear saltwater areas attached to rocks or other hard surfaces. Sea turtles, angelfish, sea slugs, and some starfish are predators of sponges. To protect themselves, sponges squirt out toxic chemicals that taste and smell very bad, so the predator will go away. Sponges are “filter feeders”, so they feed on particles or small