Red sea urchins are found along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Baja California. They live in sandy and rocky aquatic habitats.
The life of a red sea urchin
Red sea urchins grow to about seven inches around and weigh about one pound. In some places they can live up to 100 years!
Red sea urchins are broadcast spawners. Females release anywhere from 100,000 to two million eggs into the sea. Males fertilize the eggs, which develop into larvae, which develop into adults after about six to eight weeks.
Red sea urchins live from shallow waters down to depths of 500 feet. They are omnivores that mainly feed on kelp and algae but sometimes eat invertebrates. Their main predators are sea otters, crabs, fish, sea stars and spiny lobsters.
Red sea urchins at the zoo
Located in the Steller Cove area.
