Photo by Michelle McCutchan

Orange puffball sponges, like all sponges, have flagella that move water through the simple animal. Water movement provides food and removes waste. This sponge ranges from orange to yellow and grows to 8 inches in diameter. It is eaten by blue-ring top snails.

Orange Puffball Sponge
(Tethya aurantia)

	Alaska to California
	Rocky bottom, low intertidal to 1460 feet
	Bacteria, detritus, dissolved organic material
The status of this species is representative of the populations within the waters of this Sanctuary only, not global populations.
	A biochemical protein that comes from the spicules of orange puffball sponges, sillicatein, is used in laboratories.
	- ScubaRaven.com