Range & Habitat
Almost every species of Porifera lives in a marine climate, although some are learning to adapt to freshwater. Roughly 150 species of sponge are freshwater animals, 150 of the recorded 5,000 or more.
Sponges are found in almost every ocean in the biosphere. Because there are so many species living in many different biomes their preference for habitat differs greatly, for example living in depths ranging from 8,500 feet (some even found at 25,000 ft) to the intertidal zone (below sea level at high tide and above at low). As long as there is a suitable surface to attach itself to and substantial amounts of detritus, sponges will survive in almost any depth. However, food is often too scarce at such great depths for filtration feeding, so some sponges have become carnivorous. Small animals become caught on hooks on their branched arm-like formations.
Again there is a disparity with water temperature, although warmer waters seem to be the preference. Another preference is calm, quiet waters, as lots of free floating sediments may clog a sponge's ostia.
Porifera are very commonly found attached to coral reefs, a perfect mini eco-system for a sponge. Sponges also often collect around hydrothermic vents (3-7,000 ft deep) because of the warmth and water flow (filtering more organisms through the ostia) they provide, with sufficient food and abundant space.
Sponges can live in oceans, lakes, rivers, springs, swamps, marshes, streams, caves and other subterranean places, even temporary bodies of water. Porifera in general are incredibly withstanding, but the freshwater sponge is a special case. Capable of surviving such things as rapid changes in pH, water flow, and temperature, as well as drought, chemical contamination, and pollution.
Sponges are found in almost every ocean in the biosphere. Because there are so many species living in many different biomes their preference for habitat differs greatly, for example living in depths ranging from 8,500 feet (some even found at 25,000 ft) to the intertidal zone (below sea level at high tide and above at low). As long as there is a suitable surface to attach itself to and substantial amounts of detritus, sponges will survive in almost any depth. However, food is often too scarce at such great depths for filtration feeding, so some sponges have become carnivorous. Small animals become caught on hooks on their branched arm-like formations.
Again there is a disparity with water temperature, although warmer waters seem to be the preference. Another preference is calm, quiet waters, as lots of free floating sediments may clog a sponge's ostia.
Porifera are very commonly found attached to coral reefs, a perfect mini eco-system for a sponge. Sponges also often collect around hydrothermic vents (3-7,000 ft deep) because of the warmth and water flow (filtering more organisms through the ostia) they provide, with sufficient food and abundant space.
Sponges can live in oceans, lakes, rivers, springs, swamps, marshes, streams, caves and other subterranean places, even temporary bodies of water. Porifera in general are incredibly withstanding, but the freshwater sponge is a special case. Capable of surviving such things as rapid changes in pH, water flow, and temperature, as well as drought, chemical contamination, and pollution.