Long-spined Sea Urchin

Superpower

Aims its long venomous spines toward any shadow that moves nearby.

At a glance

Size

typically 7 cm, up to 10 cm

Lifespan

4–8 years

Depth

1–70 m

Habitat

Reef flats, rubble and seagrass.

Diet

Algae grazed at night with a five-toothed mouth.

Can I eat it?

No — this one is not eaten.

Safety

• Dangerous4/10

  Easy to step on; spines break off and sting.

• Venomous4/10

  Thin spines inject venom and snap off in the skin — very painful.

Fun facts

• •Its needle-thin spines can be over 30 cm long.
• •An orange ring and blue dots mark the body.
• •Cardinalfish and shrimp shelter safely among its spines.