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Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Scientific name: Xestospongia muta

Taxonomy: Kingdom Animalia → Phylum Porifera → Genus Demospongiae → Subclass Heteroscleromorpha → Order Haplosclerida → Family Petrosiidae → Genus Xestospongia

Common name: Giant Barrel Sponge
Locations: Caribbean
Group: Marine LifeInvertebratesSponges

Giant barrel sponges are tough, but not indestructible. They also grow very slowly; large ones can be 2000 years old. A carelessly knocked off chunk will take a lifetime to grow back.

Other images:
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
A small one
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Damaged sponge
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
Xestospongia muta (Giant Barrel Sponge)
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