Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis

The Green Sea Urchin

Phylum Echinodermata
Class Echinoidea
Subclass Euechinoidea
Order Echinoida
Family Strongylocentrotidae
Genus Strongylocentrotus
Species droebachiensis

Description: Up to 8 cm in diameter; test is dull green; light green spines; brownish tube feet; crowded short spines; oval test.

Habitat: Usually found on rocky shores and in kelp beds. Although rare, it can be found on docks and pilings in the South Sound.

Natural History: Its diet consists of kelp and other seaweeds. If a piece of seaweed lands on it, its tube feet pass it to the mouth where a moveable jaw structure, called AristotleÕs Lantern, chops it up into tiny pieces which are swallowed and digested.