![]() They feed by pumping large quantities of water (hundreds of litres per day) through their bodies and filtering out tiny organisms and dead plant and animal particles as food. As a result, they are unable to move to escape predators, but discourage attack with strong chemicals and an exterior of bristly textures. Sponges are sessile animals, they live permanently affixed at the base and do not move around as adults. Their skeleton can be composed from two materials: spongin (a soft, flexible organic material - made of the protein collagen) and spicules (small rods of calcium carbonate or silica). They are considered simple animals as they consist of many cell types with special functions and they lack tissues and organs. Porifera means "pore bearer" and is the scientific name for sponges. Photo by Clay Bryce, image copyright WA Museum Collection Highlights | Updated 10 years ago Sarcotragus sp. ![]()
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