Collector Urchin
Tripneustes gratilla · trip-NOO-steez gra-TIL-a
nocturnalsolitaryNot Evaluated
EdibleFriendlyDangerous
Superpower
Decorates itself with shells and seaweed as a sunhat and camouflage.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 10 cm, up to 15 cm
- Lifespan
- 2–4 years
- Depth
- 1–75 m
Habitat
Seagrass beds and shallow reefs.
Diet
Seagrass and algae.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 6/10.
How to cook: Its roe is eaten fresh — the local 'tuyom/maa-utong'.
Safety
- Dangerous1/10
Short blunt spines; harmless if not handled roughly.
Fun facts
- It 'collects' debris to cover and disguise itself.
- Its roe is a popular local delicacy.
- It helps keep seagrass meadows trimmed and healthy.