Explore the Collection: Echinoderms

Sea Urchins

Sea urchins (Class: Echinoidea) possess many hard plates beneath their skin that form a hard protective shell, known as a test. This test remains intact once the animal dies and can often be found washed up on beaches. The spines that are visible in sea urchins grow out of this shell and stick out through their skin. These spines can be moved by the animal and, therefore, assist in defence, the capture of food, and for movement around their environment.

Sea urchins feed using an apparatus known as Aristotle’s Lantern, which is comprised of five, self-sharpening teeth, which project toward the mouth. Sea urchins generally feed on decaying matter, but will also eat plant material and other animals.