Description:
Striped sea cucumbers grow to approximately 6 inches and are typically U-shaped. The body wall is thick and tough due to the dense layer of embedded ossicles.  Body color is typically mottled shades of brown to green-brown, with some individuals being completely black or tan in color.  Tube feet are arranged in double rows and are generally most numerous on the ventral side.  The tips of the tube feet may be red due to the presence of hemoglobin in the water vascular system.  There are 10 tentacles, with the 2 ventral tentacles being reduced in size compared to the others.

Habitat:
Striped sea cucumbers inhabit the shallow intertidal and subtidal zones to depths of 65 feet, though they are typically found at depths of less than 20 feet.  They burrow within sandy or muddy substrata, usually with only the tentacles and anus projecting.  Within the Indian River Lagoon, it can be found in soft bottom habitats and in association with seagrasses such as Halodule or Thalassia. 

Range:
This species ranges from North Carolina through Florida, Cuba, the Gulf of Mexico, Texas and the Yucatan Peninsula.