Pencil Urchin

E-1621 PENCIL URCHINEucidaris tribuloides

This sluggish, nocturnal sea urchin has thick, wooden like spines. It feeds primarily on algae and coral but they can feed on small invertebrates as well. They are a very hardy species and can range from a light brown to a reddish brown.

HABITAT

They are usually found in shallow environments in sea grass beds, rocks and coral reefs but can also live in deeper waters at about 800 meters. They are distributed along the coasts of North Carolina through Brazil and the Caribbean.

DIET

Their diet consists but are not limited to algae, sponges, turtle grass, and bryozoans.


VIDEOS

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

Feeding and Oxygen Uptake of the Tropical Sea Urchin, Eucidaris tribuloides

Observations on Growth in Eucidaris Tribuloides (Lamarck), with Special Reference to the Origin of the Oral Primary Spines

REFERENCES

https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/bocas_database/search/species/1130/