EntdeckenInvertebrate

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

The purple sea urchin is a spiky little creature that lives in the ocean. It has a hard shell covered in sharp spines, which helps protect it from hungry animals.

Lebensraum: Coastal areas

Aussehen

The Strongylocentrotus purpuratus is a spherical echinoderm covered in sharp, movable spines that range from deep purple to reddish-brown. It has a hard, spiny shell called a test, making it look like a prickly underwater ball. Its spines are relatively short and uniform, unlike some long-spined urchin species.

ReichAnimaliaStammEchinodermataKlasseEchinoideaOrdnungCamarodontaFamilieStrongylocentrotidaeGattungStrongylocentrotus
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
solitary trait badgecolorful trait badgeherbivorous trait badgelongevous trait badge
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Kategorie

Invertebrate

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

3/5 · Mittel

Snaps

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Interessante Fakten

Each urchin has five-fold symmetry, meaning it's almost perfectly star-shaped inside!

Purple sea urchins can survive for hours out of water if kept moist.

Their spines are not poisonous but can give a painful poke if stepped on.

They use tiny tube feet with suction cups to slowly crawl across the seafloor.

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Fähigkeit

Spine Re-Grower

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus can regrow lost spines and even damaged body parts because it has remarkable regenerative capabilities that help it recover from injuries.

Fähigkeit

Super Sticky Feet

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has hundreds of tiny tube feet that help them cling tightly to rocks and surfaces, even in strong currents, preventing them from being washed away.

Fähigkeit

Rock Scraper

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus has a unique mouth called 'Aristotle's lantern' equipped with five hard teeth that help them scrape algae off rocks for food.

Fähigkeit

Scent Talker

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus can detect chemical cues in the water, which helps them find food, avoid predators, and even locate mates.

Maße und Details

Länge
4-10 cm
Gewicht
0.05-0.2 kg
Lebenserwartung
30-70 Jahre
Top Speed
0.006 km/h

Ernährung und Fütterung

These spiky creatures love to munch on algae and kelp, keeping ocean habitats clean.

Hauptnahrung

  • kelp
  • algae
  • seaweed
  • detritus

Nahrungssuche

  • Grazing

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

eaten by

Sea Otter

Enhydra lutris

Sea otters are a major predator that crush urchins with their strong jaws.

eaten by

Sunflower Sea Star

Pycnopodia helianthoides

Sunflower sea stars can engulf and digest sea urchins with their many arms.

eats

Giant Kelp

Macrocystis pyrifera

Urchins graze on giant kelp, sometimes leading to 'urchin barrens' when populations boom.

eaten by

California Sheephead

Semicossyphus pulcher

California sheephead fish use their powerful jaws to crush sea urchins for food.

Merkmale

Auch bekannt als

Purple Sea Urchin

Sammlungen

Sicherheit

Gefahr

3/5 · Mittel

Be careful around sea urchins, as their spines can be sharp and hurt if touched.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Was ist der/die/das länge von Strongylocentrotus purpuratus?

4-10 cm

Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Strongylocentrotus purpuratus?

0.05-0.2 kg

Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Strongylocentrotus purpuratus?

30-70 Jahre

Was ist der/die/das top Speed von Strongylocentrotus purpuratus?

0.006 km/h

Was frisst Strongylocentrotus purpuratus?

These spiky creatures love to munch on algae and kelp, keeping ocean habitats clean.

Wo findet man Strongylocentrotus purpuratus normalerweise?

Coastal areas

Wie jagt Strongylocentrotus purpuratus?

Grazing

Snap-Karte

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Neueste Snaps

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