Porifera are sponges that can filter their entire body volume in less than a minute. They live in shallow ocean waters near reefs or muddy bottoms. As filter feeders, they pump water through pores to trap plankton food particles and eject the water through larger pores. Sponges have defenses like spicules and toxins to deter predators and can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Their ideal mate is another sponge that likes to eat and hang out all day.

1. Porifera I am special because I can filter my entire body volume in less than a minute

2. Places where I chill Anywhere in the ocean where a strong current can be found. Ex: Reefs or Muddy Bottoms Prefer shallow water (about 2-35 M in depth)

3. Favorite Activities Eat Hang out with friends Eat some more

4. Geneology I am a filter feeder. I pump the water around me through the pores ( ostia) in my body and it is passed through canals and chambers within my body. There, the food particles, mostly plankton, are trapped. The water will exit through the large pores (o scules).

5. Special Adaptions I am unwanted as food by most carnivorous animals due to the splinter-like spicules and toxic chemicals I am able to produce. (Defense) I can reproduce sexually and asexually

6. Ideal Mate A sponge who likes to do nothing all day but eat and hang out.

7. Bibliography "Phylum Porifera." PBS . 27 Apr. 2008 http://www.pbs.org/kcet/shapeoflife/animals/porifera.html . "Reproduction." Infoplease . 27 Apr. 2008 http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A0860480.html . "Sponges - Phylum Porifera." 27 Apr. 2008 http://www.woodbridge.tased.edu.au/mdc/Species%20Register/phylum_porifera.htm .