Green Sea Urchin
(Stronglyocentrotus droebachiensis)

image of a Green Sea Urchin

Image ID: 140-01

Comments : Sunrise Beach is a great place to dive if you want to see Green Sea Urchins. I often find two or three large groupings of fifty or so of these urchins (urchin orgies?) above and below the wall at Sunrise. As they are a favorite food for Wolf-eels, it is easily understandable why Wolf-eels hang out here The Wolf-eels powerful jaws are more than capable of crushing the urchin's hard shell. The Wolf-eel then swallows the urchin chunk whole, complete with shell. There is no doubt that Wolf-eels get there daily allotment of calcium.
Common name : Green Sea Urchin
Scientific Name : Stronglyocentrotus droebachiensis
Location Found : Sunrise Beach, Puget Sound
Actual Size : 4 inches
Camera Used : Sea & Sea MMII EX w/1->3T macro
Natural History :