Porcupine Sea Urchin
Diadema setosum
- Group: Urchin
- Typical depth: 0–70 m
- For divers: dangerous
Long, needle thin black spines fan out from this sea urchin, tipped with venom that delivers a painful sting if you brush against it. It gathers in numbers on rocky shores and reefs down to about 70 metres, often where coral has died, and scrapes algae from the rubble at night.
Taxonomy: Animalia › Echinodermata › Echinoidea › Diadematoida › Diadematidae › Diadema
Species data via the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), AphiaID 213372.
FAQ
- How deep does the Porcupine Sea Urchin live?
- The Porcupine Sea Urchin (Diadema setosum) is typically found at 0–70 m.
- Is the Porcupine Sea Urchin dangerous to divers?
- The Porcupine Sea Urchin can be dangerous; divers should keep their distance.