Where do marine animal sponges live in the ocean?

Marine sponges are found in all oceans across the globe, inhabiting a vast range of environments from the intertidal zone to the deepest regions of the ocean floor, known as the abyss.12

Their specific habitats vary by class and species:

• Rocky and Shallow Bottoms: Many species, particularly those in the classes Calcarea and Demospongiae, are commonly found on the rocky bottoms of the continental shelf. They often thrive in sheltered areas such as caves, rocky overhangs, and crevices, which provide protection from light and environmental fluctuations.13
• Deep-Sea Environments: Members of the class Hexactinellida are characteristic of the deepest, muddy ocean bottoms, living at depths ranging from 25 to 8,500 meters.12
• Substrate Attachment: While most sponges attach to hard or rocky surfaces, some species anchor themselves to debris, sand, or soft mud. Certain specialized sponges, such as those in the family Clionidae, live by excavating galleries into calcareous materials like coral reefs, limestone, and mollusk shells.3

While they are primarily marine organisms, a small number of species have adapted to brackish waters or freshwater environments.12