Meanings
plural gummy squirrels
- 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 20262 more examples
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 2026The 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
Origin
From its long, tail-like appendage and gelatinous appearance.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
gummy squirrel. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gummy%20squirrel
“gummy squirrel.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gummy%20squirrel. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “gummy squirrel,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/gummy%20squirrel.
Source: gummy squirrel on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.