Long-Spined Sea Urchin

Vana

The long-spined sea urchin, like all sea urchins, has a rigid limestone body, perforated with several holes. It is primarily black and recognizable by its long spines, that resemble long needles. It has a jaw with five powerful teeth, called “Aristotle’s lantern”. During the day it hides from predators by sneaking into cavities in the reef. It is a nocturnal animal that looks for its food on coral heads and in the sand. It frequents troubled waters, in mixed zones: sand or coral, or in rocky areas.