Sponges are animals that live in oceans, lakes, and rivers. There are close to 10,000 sponge species described by scientists, but far more species await discovery! However, not all sponges look and feel like their kitchen-sink cousins. Over time, sponges have evolved into many sizes and shapes, giving us the huge diversity of sponge species on Earth today. For example, many sponges are rock-hard! These rock sponges use minerals like silica (glass) to build their skeletons—instead of bone like ours. Other sponges have evolved unique ways to eat. Most sponges filter water to get their food, but certain sponges are carnivorous, meaning that they eat meat, including tiny shrimp-like creatures. Sponge species with different body and skeleton shapes and sizes can thrive in very different and unique environments.
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