Red Sea Urchin - Behavior and Reproduction

Behavior and Reproduction

Sea urchins are often found living in clumps from five to ten. They have the ability to regenerate lost spines. Lifespan often exceeds 30 years, and scientists have found some specimens to be over 200 years old.

Spawning peaks between June and September. Eggs are fertilized externally while they float in the ocean, and planktonic larvae (echinopluteus) remain in the water column for about a month before settling on the bottom of the sea floor, where they undergo metamorphosis into juvenile urchins. These juveniles use chemical cues to locate adults. Although juveniles are found almost exclusively under aggregated adults, the adults and juveniles are not directly related. Red Sea Urchins can effectively reproduce at an advanced age.