Science fact of the day: Glass Sponges Are Found in the Deep Ocean.

Glass sponges live in the deep ocean and are so named because their tissues contain glass-like structural particles called spicules that are made of silica.

Some species, including a species of Euplectella known as the “Venus Flower Basket,” form extremely large spicules that fuse together in beautiful patterns to create an underwater “glass house.”

In the case of the Venus Flower Basket, each structure houses two small, shrimp-like Stenopodidea, who live out their lives trapped inside the glass sponge and have a symbiotic relationship with the organism.