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Flower Urchin

Toxopneustes pileolus

Description:

Also known as Flower Sea Urchin and Flower Tip Urchin. They feed on invertebrates, sponges and even dead fish. They grow to about 15cm in diameter. These sea urchins may be pretty to look at, but are extremely venomous. Their sting, which comes from their flower-like petals, can be fatal.

Habitat:

Found singly or in groups in shallow bays and lagoons on sand and rubble areas often covered in detritus. Widespread in the Indo-Pacific region.

Notes:

Like some of its other cousins, this type of urchin will cover itself with whatever it might find lying around the seabed, including dead coral fragments, and yes, bottle caps and clothespins. I wonder if those two in the third photo realize that they're carrying the same item together...?

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Blogie
Spotted by
Blogie

Davao Del Norte, Philippines

Spotted on Oct 21, 2011
Submitted on Dec 8, 2011

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