Sea urchins are spiny, globular marine animals belonging to the class Echinoidea within the phylum Echinodermata. Here’s a detailed overview of sea urchins:
- Physical Characteristics: Sea urchins are characterized by their round shape and spiny exteriors. The spines, which can vary in length and thickness, serve as a defense mechanism against predators. Sea urchins have a hard outer shell, or “test,” made up of calcium carbonate plates.
- Habitat: They are commonly found in oceans around the world, typically in shallow waters, though some species inhabit deeper regions. They tend to live on the ocean floor and are often associated with coral reefs, kelp forests, or rocky seabeds.
CMP Bio World 