Species Type:
Invertebrates
Common Name(s):
Black boring sea urchin
Size:
On average, black boring sea urchins grow to three inches (8 centimeters) in diameter.
Diet:
These urchins eat plant matter like floating algae or seagrasses.
Range & Habitat:
In the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and southern Atlantic Ocean, these urchins inhibit shallow waters, tidal pools, rocks along the beach and other rocky areas in the ocean.
Details:
Black boring sea urchins have an oval shape and are covered in 100-150 short, thick spines that radiate outward from their center, making them look like spiky pincushions. Their spines are venomous and serve to protect them from predators. Known as “boring” sea urchins because they are often found burrowing into coral and rock surfaces, these urchins are important herbivores, feeding on algae and helping to maintain the balance of the ecosystem on coral reefs.