Infographic

Sea Urchins: Defence Mechanism, Habitat, Threats

Everything you need to know about these spiny marine creatures
Text by: Andre Morris Design by: Diviya Mehra
Updated   June 15, 2026
Text by: Andre Morris Design by: Diviya Mehra
Updated   June 15, 2026
1 min read
Everything you need to know about these spiny marine creatures

What is a sea urchin? 

Sea urchins are small, spiny marine invertebrates that look like tiny hedgehogs. They have a round, dome-shaped body and come in various colours like black, brown, red, purple or green. Some, like the sand dollar, are flat and hairy. 

Where are sea urchins found? 

Sea urchins are found in every ocean worldwide though most species live in temperate and tropical waters. They prefer coastal sea beds and intertidal zones. 

What are some threats to sea urchins? 

Warming ocean temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing and coastal development projects are some threats that sea urchins face.

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