Dunkey Dung Sea Cucumber
Holothuria mexicana
Holothuria mexicana, the donkey dung sea cucumber, is commonly found in the Caribbean and the Azores. It is a commercially important aspidochirote sea cucumber that can reach a total length of 50 cm (20 in).
39
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holothuria_mexicana
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Echinodermata
Class
Holothuroidea
Order
Holothuriida
Family
Holothuriidae
Genus
Holothuria
Dunkey Dung Sea Cucumber belongs to the family Holothuriidae, order Holothuriida, within the Holothuroidea class.
Species Profile
Holothuria mexicana, the donkey dung sea cucumber, is commonly found in the Caribbean and the Azores. It is a commercially important aspidochirote sea cucumber that can reach a total length of 50 cm (20 in).
The Donkey Dung Sea Cucumber faces severe population declines primarily due to overexploitation for commercial fisheries, particularly driven by high demand in Asian markets where it is valued as a delicacy and for traditional medicine. Habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems further threaten remaining populations.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species is found throughout the Caribbean and reaches southern Brazil.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Donkey Dung Sea Cucumber faces severe population declines primarily due to overexploitation for commercial fisheries, particularly driven by high demand in Asian markets where it is valued as a delicacy and for traditional medicine. Habitat degradation from coastal development, pollution, and climate change impacts on coral reef ecosystems further threaten remaining populations.
Habitat degradation and coral reef destruction
Overexploitation and overfishing
Climate change and ocean warming
Coastal development and sedimentation
Marine pollution
Found in 39 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Dunkey Dung Sea Cucumber (Holothuria mexicana). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/dunkey-dung-sea-cucumber