Predators of the Sea Urchin

Mammals

• Mammals are considered the dominant predators of the sea urchin. Sea otters have the ability to dive to the bottom of the sea floor and catch the urchins. They then swims back to the surface and eat the invertebrate. The most harmful mammal to the urchin is humans. Millions of pounds of sea urchins are harvest from coastal areas. Sea urchins are a popular delicacy in Japan, which is the predominant market for the animal.

Fish

• Fish are another type of animal that are predators of urchins. Fish feed on the soft interior of the urchin. The parrot fish is able to crush the hard-shell exterior of the urchin with its teeth in order to get to the juicy interior. Wolf eels are another species of fish that like to feed on urchins.

Invertebrates

• A dominant predator is the starfish, a type of echinoderm. There are over 2,000 species of starfish and they live in tropical habitats and cold seafloors. Urchins are easy prey for a starfish. The starfish feeds on it by wrapping its arms around the sea urchin's shell. The starfish turns its stomach inside out and presses it against the shell. This dissolves the shell and flesh, allowing easy access to the sea urchin's interior.

Birds

• For urchins found in shallow waters along coastal areas, birds are a predator. Seagulls in particular can dive down and prey upon these urchins. The seagull has a powerful beak that can break open the urchin's hard shell.

Crustaceans

• The sea urchin is also prey for crabs. For example, the coral crab uses its large frontal claws to crush the urchin's hard shell and digest the soft center.