Behavior and Reproduction
P. californianus is a solitary nocturnal animal. It has the ability to regenerate all parts of its body. When threatened, it can expel all its stomach contents through its anus until its next feed. It can also expel sticky filaments to ensnare or confuse predators. It undertakes seasonal migrations to different depths.
These sea cucumbers have separate sexes, and eggs are fertilized externally. Spawning usually takes place in August, and each female can produce thousands of eggs. After fertilization, a larva is formed which metamorphoses into a sea cucumber after a few weeks.
Read more about this topic: Giant California Sea Cucumber
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