ExplorarInvertebrate

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.

Hábitat: Coastal areas

Aspecto

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.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloEchinodermataClaseEchinoideaOrdenCamarodontaFamiliaStrongylocentrotidaeGéneroStrongylocentrotus

Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Categoría

Invertebrate

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Datos interesantes

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.

Habilidades especiales

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

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.

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

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

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 4-10 cm
Peso: 0.05-0.2 kg
Esperanza de vida: 30-70 años
Top Speed: 0.006 km/h

Dieta y alimentación

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

Alimentos principales

kelp
algae
seaweed
detritus

Método de búsqueda

Grazing

Conexiones ecológicas

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.

Rasgos

Solitario

Los animales solitarios viven solos durante la mayor parte de su vida y solo interactúan con otros para aparearse o cuidar de sus crías.

Colorido

Colorido describe a organismos u objetos que exhiben una amplia variedad de colores brillantes y distintivos.

Herbívoro

Este rasgo caracteriza a los organismos cuya dieta consiste total o principalmente en material vegetal.

Espinoso / Puntiagudo

Posee proyecciones puntiagudas y afiladas o espinas en el cuerpo o en la superficie.

Longevo

Este rasgo caracteriza a los organismos con una esperanza de vida excepcionalmente larga en comparación con otros de su especie.

Costero

Los hábitats costeros son entornos dinámicos situados a lo largo de la interfaz entre la tierra y el mar, influenciados por las mareas, las olas y el agua salada.