How do sea cucumbers defend themselves without shells or teeth?

Sea cucumbers are soft-bodied echinoderms, so they rely on unusual defenses instead of armor. Some species expel sticky tubules called Cuvierian tubules to entangle predators. Others can eject parts of their digestive tract in a process called evisceration, then later regenerate them. Their bodies can also become tougher or more flexible depending on the threat. These strategies help them survive on the seafloor where they move slowly and cannot easily flee.