Shingle Urchin
探検Animal
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.
生息地: Found on wave-beaten rocky intertidal shores, particularly on basaltic lava rocks exposed to heavy surf.
外見
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.
界Animalia門Echinodermata綱Echinoidea目Camarodonta科Echinometridae属Colobocentrotus
カテゴリ
Animalレア度
Common
危険度
1/5 · 非常に低い
スナップ
最初にスナップしよう！
おもしろい事実
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.
特殊能力
能力
Hydrodynamic Shielding
Its flattened, dome-like shape and tightly interlocking shingle-like spines allow turbulent waves to glide harmlessly over its body, minimizing drag.
能力
Suction Grip
Utilizes hundreds of specialized tube feet on its flat underside to generate powerful suction, anchoring itself firmly against crushing waves.
能力
Desiccation Defense
The tight perimeter of paddle-like marginal spines seals moisture underneath its body, protecting it from drying out during low tide exposures.
サイズと詳細
- 長さ
- 5-8 cm
- 体重
- 0.05-0.15 kg
- 寿命
- 5-10 年
- 一度の産卵数
- 10000-50000
- 抱卵期間
- 20-30 日
食性と食事
Grazes on tough encrusting coralline algae and organic biofilms from rock surfaces using its specialized chewing apparatus, known as Aristotle's lantern.
年齢による違い: Larvae are planktonic and feed on microscopic phytoplankton, while adults transition to grazing on sessile rocky algae.
主な食物
- Coralline algae
- Encrusting algae
- Microscopic biofilms
採餌方法
- Grazing
生態系とのつながり
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.
特徴
このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。
別名
まだ別名はありません。
コレクション
テーマが追加されると、このオブジェクトのコレクションがここに表示されます。
安全性
危険度
1/5 · 非常に低い
まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。
よくある質問
Shingle Urchinを見分けるには？
Shingle Urchinを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。
Shingle Urchinの長さは何ですか？
5-8 cm
Shingle Urchinの体重は何ですか？
0.05-0.15 kg
Shingle Urchinの寿命は何ですか？
5-10 年
Shingle Urchinは何を食べますか？
Grazes on tough encrusting coralline algae and organic biofilms from rock surfaces using its specialized chewing apparatus, known as Aristotle's lantern.
Shingle Urchinは通常どこに生息していますか？
Found on wave-beaten rocky intertidal shores, particularly on basaltic lava rocks exposed to heavy surf.
Shingle Urchinはどのように狩りをしますか？
Grazing
Shingle Urchinの一度の産卵数は何ですか？
10000-50000
スナップマップ
ズームインしてクラスターを分割し、このオブジェクトが撮影された場所を探索しましょう。
マップを読み込み中…
最近のスナップ
新しい観察が追加されると、ここに最近のスナップが表示されます。
