Shingle Urchin
EntdeckenAnimal
Shingle Urchin
colobocentrotus atratus
The Shingle Urchin, also known as the helmet urchin, is a marvel of evolutionary engineering. Clinging to wave-swept basaltic rocks in the Indo-Pacific, this unique marine invertebrate has traded the long, sharp, menacing spines of typical sea urchins for a smooth, interlocking armor of flattened, shingle-like plates. This aerodynamic dome allows it to withstand the crushing force of crashing waves that would easily sweep other creatures away. Beyond its physical resilience, the Shingle Urchin plays a vital role in its intertidal ecosystem by grazing on tough, encrusting algae, maintaining a healthy balance on rocky shores.
Lebensraum: Found on wave-beaten rocky intertidal shores, particularly on basaltic lava rocks exposed to heavy surf.
Aussehen
This urchin is easily recognized by its distinctive dome-shaped, helmet-like profile, which typically reaches 5 to 8 centimeters in diameter. Its upper surface is covered in dark purple to almost black, flattened, hexagonal plates that fit together like a mosaic, minimizing water resistance. Around the perimeter, a fringe of spatula-like, paddle-shaped spines flares outward, sealing the gap between the shell and the rock. The underside is flat, densely packed with strong tube feet used for gripping.
ReichAnimaliaStammEchinodermataKlasseEchinoideaOrdnungCamarodontaFamilieEchinometridaeGattungColobocentrotus
Kategorie
AnimalSeltenheit
Common
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Snaps
Mach den ersten Snap!
Interessante Fakten
In Hawaii, they are known as 'haukeuke' and were historically used by Native Hawaiians as a traditional food source and for making purple dye.
Their flattened spines are so tightly packed that they act like a coat of chainmail, defending them against both predators and crashing waves.
Unlike most sea urchins that cause painful punctures, the Shingle Urchin can be safely touched as its spines are entirely flat and blunt.
Besondere Fähigkeiten
Fähigkeit
Hydrodynamic Shielding
Its flattened, dome-like shape and tightly interlocking shingle-like spines allow turbulent waves to glide harmlessly over its body, minimizing drag.
Fähigkeit
Suction Grip
Utilizes hundreds of specialized tube feet on its flat underside to generate powerful suction, anchoring itself firmly against crushing waves.
Fähigkeit
Desiccation Defense
The tight perimeter of paddle-like marginal spines seals moisture underneath its body, protecting it from drying out during low tide exposures.
Maße und Details
- Länge
- 5-8 cm
- Gewicht
- 0.05-0.15 kg
- Lebenserwartung
- 5-10 Jahre
- Gelegegröße
- 10000-50000
- Brutzeit
- 20-30 Tage
Ernährung und Fütterung
Grazes on tough encrusting coralline algae and organic biofilms from rock surfaces using its specialized chewing apparatus, known as Aristotle's lantern.
Altersunterschiede: Larvae are planktonic and feed on microscopic phytoplankton, while adults transition to grazing on sessile rocky algae.
Hauptnahrung
- Coralline algae
- Encrusting algae
- Microscopic biofilms
Nahrungssuche
- Grazing
Ökologische Zusammenhänge
hunts
Coralline Algae
Lithophyllum kotschyanum
Grazes upon this encrusting coralline alga as its primary food source on rocky shores.
eaten by
Wandering Tattler
Tringa incana
Forages on exposed intertidal reefs during low tide, feeding on urchins and other invertebrates.
Merkmale
Für dieses Objekt sind noch keine Merkmal-Badges vergeben.
Auch bekannt als
Noch keine Alternativnamen vorhanden.
Sammlungen
Sammlungen für dieses Objekt erscheinen hier, wenn weitere Themen hinzugefügt werden.
Sicherheit
Gefahr
1/5 · Sehr gering
Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Wie identifiziert man Shingle Urchin?
Der einfachste Weg, Shingle Urchin zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.
Was ist der/die/das länge von Shingle Urchin?
5-8 cm
Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Shingle Urchin?
0.05-0.15 kg
Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Shingle Urchin?
5-10 Jahre
Was frisst Shingle Urchin?
Grazes on tough encrusting coralline algae and organic biofilms from rock surfaces using its specialized chewing apparatus, known as Aristotle's lantern.
Wo findet man Shingle Urchin normalerweise?
Found on wave-beaten rocky intertidal shores, particularly on basaltic lava rocks exposed to heavy surf.
Wie jagt Shingle Urchin?
Grazing
Was ist der/die/das gelegegröße von Shingle Urchin?
10000-50000
Snap-Karte
Zoome hinein, um Cluster aufzulösen und zu sehen, wo dieses Objekt fotografiert wurde.
Karte wird geladen…
Neueste Snaps
Neueste Snaps erscheinen hier, wenn neue Beobachtungen hinzukommen.
