This large and common sea cucumber is found under rocks or in crevices in rocky environments. It can range in colour from cream to dark brown, and often covers itself with shellgrit and other debris. Its skin texture is also variable from quite smooth, to bumpy, and can even be spiky, which it can control with its dark-tipped, retractable papillae. Although some variations can appear similar to other large species, including Stichopus ludwigi, it is usually the only large sea cucumber found between or under rocks, so it can be distinguished by habitat.
