Variegated Sea Urchin
Lytechinus variegatus
Variegated sea urchins inhabit shallow western Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico waters, especially seagrass meadows and sandy flats. They graze algae, seagrass, and organic debris from the seabed using a complex jaw apparatus. Although slow-moving, the adult is protected by a hard test covered in movable spines and can regrow lost spines after damage.
- Type
- Shell
- Conservation status
- NE
Growth chain
- ?
- ?
- Variegated Sea Urchin