Caenopedina pulchella

Imagine a little ball covered in pointy spikes, like a tiny, living pincushion! That's Caenopedina pulchella! It's a type of sea urchin, and these amazing creatures live deep in the ocean.

They have a tough shell, called a 'test', that protects them from anything that might bump into them. Their whole body is covered in these cool spines, which they use to move around and to stay safe. They are like little armored explorers of the sea!

Caenopedina pulchella loves to live in the ocean, but not just any ocean! They are found in the waters around Australia. Think of it like having a special playground that only exists in certain parts of the world. They like to hang out on the seafloor, where they can find yummy food and a safe place to rest. It's a watery world down there, full of rocks and sand for them to explore.

These spiky friends are not picky eaters! Caenopedina pulchella is an omnivore, which means they eat both plants and tiny animals. They use their special mouths, which are on the bottom of their bodies, to munch on algae (which is like seaweed) and other small things they find on the seafloor. It's like they have a built-in vacuum cleaner and a tiny mouth all in one to help them eat!

Did you know that Caenopedina pulchella was first discovered by scientists way back in 1907? That's over 100 years ago! These sea urchins are pretty small, usually only about as wide as a teacup. They don't move very fast, taking their time to explore their ocean home. They are a special part of the ocean's ecosystem, helping to keep things clean and balanced.