But the sea cucumber has one more surprise held back for the most threatening of situations, a reaction that takes the issue of self-defense to a new dimension. As you try to move it, the sea cucumber auto-eviscerates​—that is, it literally splits its sides and disembowels itself. Appalled at this shocking overreaction, you wonder what you did to cause such a ghastly end to the poor creature! But relax. Likely, you did not take its life. Rather, you were witness to an extraordinary escape device. This resilient animal will grow a new set of internal organs within weeks!

However, some species have been noted to use a more drastic method. They literally tear themselves apart, dividing transversely into two sections. Amazingly, they then regenerate the missing body parts. This method of asexual reproduction requires considerable reorganization of the tissues in each of the torn pieces.