Pin-cushion Urchin
Scientific name: Tripneustes gratilla
Alternative name/s:
Hairy Sea Urchin
Hairy Sea Urchin
Click to enlarge image
Hairy Sea Urchin, Tripneustes gratilla
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Tripneustes
- Species
- gratilla
- Family
- Toxopneustidae
- Order
- Echinoida
- Class
- Echinoidea
- Phylum
- Echinodermata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 15 cm
Introduction
The Pin-cushion Urchin is a tropical species and its population in Sydney fluctuates. In some years it can be abundant while in other years quite rare.
Identification
The Pin-cushion Urchin has a brown or purple test (body), short white spines sometimes tipped with orange, and brownish-red tube feet.
Pin-cushion Urchin
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett© Australian Museum
Habitat
Pin-cushion Urchins live in intertidal areas and coastal waters to a depth of 75 m.
Distribution
The Pin-cushion Urchin is found in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia. Also found in the Indo-Pacific region.
Other behaviours and adaptations
This species has a habit of grabbing pieces of seaweed, shell or pebbles with its tube feet and covering itself. This may act as camouflage and protect it from predators and the sun.
