Oblong Sea Urchin

Range: Indo-Pacific region, including the Hawaiian Islands

Closely related to rock-boring sea urchins, oblong sea urchins are also known for the small burrow-like holes they create in rocks to protect themselves from the extreme crashing waves of high rocky intertidal zones. Because of their similar defensive behavior, these urchins are frequently found in close proximity to rock-boring sea urchins. Oblong urchins, as their name suggests, have a noticeably ovular test instead of the typical perfectly circular one, with dark purple to black, slightly duller spines.