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Sea urchins (Echinoidea), Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, 2015.

Sea urchins, also called urchins or sea hedgehogs, are small, spiny, globular animals of the class Echinoidea. About 950 species inhabit all areas of the ocean - from the intertidal to 5000m deep! Wana is the term used in Hawaii to describe these long-spined sea animals. They are well-protected from all reef predators by their calcite limestone skeleton which is well-known to break off after puncturing the skin. Amazingly, light-sensitive nerves in the urchins' skin detects the shadows of potential predators and the spines can be coordinated and directed toward the threat.

U.S. National Park Service

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Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Code: KAHO

National Park Service Facebook Photos

Title: Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
URL: https://www.facebook.com/KalokoHonokohauNPS/?fref=ts

20150811

08/11/2015

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Organization: Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park
Address: 73-4786 Kanalani St. #14, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

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