Dictionary

gummy squirrel en · NOUN

Etymology

From its long, tail-like appendage and gelatinous appearance.

Meanings

1. Any of the species Psychropotes longicauda of deep-sea sea cucumbers with a tail-like appendage.
   • A type of sea cucumber, this gummy squirrel looks frighteningly similar to a banana. 2022 August 2, Jennifer Nalewicki, “'Gummy squirrel' found in deep-sea abyss looks like a stretchy half-peeled banana”, in Live Science, archived from the original on 10 Apr 2026:
   • The gummy squirrel is about two feet long—large for a sea cucumber, which is typically four to 12 inches in length. 2024 July 12, Robyn Stegman, “What is a Gummy Squirrel?: Discover the deep-sea darling stealing our (candy) hearts”, in Ocean Conservancy, archived from the original on 24 Jan 2026:
   • The under side of a gummy squirrel, showing its bright red feeding palps (the flower-like structure) and underbelly. 2023 May 25, “Meet the ‘gummy squirrel’ and thousands of other newly discovered deep-sea species – in pictures”, in Katharine Viner, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 30 May 2026:

Forms