Cloud sponges were present long before the time of dinosaurs. Very little is actually known about them because they are a deep dwelling organism. In the inlets of British Columbia cloud sponges can be found within depth limits of recreational divers. This allows them to be able to view and study the Cloud sponges, which they have found out has not changed much over hundreds of millions of years. They grow about 2 inches per year in nutrient rich waters. In poor nutrient water they grow much slower. Many cloud sponges today could be over 100 years old. Sponges filter sea water to eat, breath and to get rid of waste products. The organisms use silica to form glass-like spicules to form the support structure of the sponge