It is usually soft and pliable with a smooth skin but, due to the special characteristics of its connective tissue, it can become firm and rigid.

Its range extends from the Red Sea and East African coast to Sri Lanka, Japan, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, northern Australia and various Pacific islands.

[1] It is found in a number of different habitats including on sandy or muddy substrates, on coral rubble and in seagrass meadows.

During its feeding activities, the sea cucumber churns up the top few centimetres of seabed and aerates the sediment.

It moves mainly by peristaltic action of its body wall, assisted to a limited extent by its tube feet.

[4] Holothuria edulis has separate sexes and spawns at any time of year with gametes being liberated into the water column.