Purple Sea Urchins' spines are strong enough for them to dig small holes into rocks. They can chew the surface of the rocks, making a hole in which to hide.
Common name: Purple Sea Urchin
Scientific name: Heliocidaris erythrogramma
Photo: Dr I. Bennett
How do other animals manage to eat these spiny animals?
Rock pools and rock platforms
Purple Sea Urchin
Purple Sea Urchins are round in shape. They are covered in purple and white spines. They can grow up to 9 cm wide.
This round 'test' is what you find on the beach after a Sea Urchin dies and its spines fall off.
Purple Sea Urchins live on rocky shores of eastern and southern Australia. They can be found in rockpools.
Purple Sea Urchins eat seaweed and algae.
Purple Sea Urchins are grazers. Their mouth is on the underside of their body. They use their powerful jaws and teeth to scrap food off rocks.
Octopuses, crabs and fish eat Purple Sea Urchins.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
