Sea Urchin
Sea Urchin Facts
| Size | 1.2-4 in (3-10 cm); up to 3 inch (8 cm) (spines) |
| Speed | Unknown |
| Weight | Unknown |
| Lifespan | 15-200 years |
| Food | Algae |
| Predators | Fish, birds, crabs, sea otters |
| Habitat | In oceans worldwide |
| Phylum | Echinodermata |
| Class | Sea urchins |
| Scientific name | Echinoidea |
| Characteristics | Spines that can cause painful wounds |
Main Characteristics
There are more than 200 species of sea urchins in all colors and shapes. They live on rocky surfaces in shallow and deeper waters in depths up to 295 feet (90 meters).
Behavior
Sea urchins are not very popular. If you have already stepped on one of them accidentally, you know why. The spines of the sea urchin can cause terrible pain. There are even sea urchins that inject poison with their spines – quite similar to a needle. Leather urchins even have venomous pedicellariae, others only short spines.
Anatomy and Appearance
Why Do Sea Urchins Have Spines?
The spines have the following functions:
• Defense
The spines are ideal to keep other sea creatures away. Other than the hedgehog, the sea urchin does not need to roll itself up.
• Movement
Between the spines, the sea urchin has thin tubes, which function as feet. Depending on how much water the urchin pumps into these tubes, the pressure is higher or lower. This determines how firm or soft the tubes are. If the tubes on the right side are soft, the urchin sinks to the ground on the right side and thus moves a little bit forward. For comparison: Bend your right knee. In which direction does your body move?
• Eating
Lots of food particles are floating through the water while the urchin is sitting on the ground of the ocean, so that it can catch them with its spines.
Do Sea Urchins Have a Mouth?
The mouth of the sea urchin sits in the centre of the bottom side of its round body and has five tooth-like plates to grind food.
Enemies and Threats
When in Danger, Sea Urchins Clone Themselves
The larvae of the sand dollar sea urchin clone themselves when they feel threatened by a fish. After this there are two smaller identical animals, which are harder to detect for the enemy.
Life Exptectancy
How Old Do Sea Urchins Get?
The red sea urchin Strongylocentrotus franciscanus can get up to 200 years old.
Reproduction
Female sea urchins release about two millions of small eggs into the water to be fertilized by the male sea urchin. The larvae spend about two to five years in the plankton until they are able to move along on the ground of the ocean.
- Find Out More:
- Sea Cucumber Facts
- Starfish Facts
