Known variously as kina, sea urchins and sea eggs, this species (Evechinus chloroticus) is found only in New Zealand. The spiny animals live in shallow-water reefs, growing to 10 centimetres in diameter. First breeding when three or four years old, they are known to live for over 20 years. At times they swarm together and completely eat out a patch of seaweed – their usual food. Here they are grazing on bladder kelp. The solitary pāua (lower centre) is probably eating their leftovers.
Using this item
Department of Conservation
Reference:
10048890
Photograph by Rob Davidson
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